2. The length of Shiva:

Author: Rabbi Yaakov GoldsteinPublished: June 15, 2025

* This article is an excerpt from the above Sefer *As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Buy in Paperback, Kindle, and Audio Buy on Apple Books Buy on Website Enroll in Aveilus Course + Semicha 2. The length of Shiva: Shiva begins right after the burial, and


* This article is an excerpt from the above Sefer

*As an Amazon Associate I earn from  qualifying purchases.


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2. The length of Shiva:

Shiva begins right after the burial, and lasts for seven days thereafter. The day of burial is counted as the first day of Shiva even if the burial took place very late into the day. [Furthermore, even if the burial was completed during Bein Hashmashos, the previous day is counted as the first day of Shiva, as brought in Halacha 3. Nonetheless, there are cases of exception, explained throughout Halacha’s 4-12, in which the Shiva may end earlier or later than seven days from the burial. See there and in Chapter 27 for the full list of cases.]

Shabbos:[1] The day of Shabbos does not cease the mourning, and the seven days of Aveilus thus includes Shabbos.[2] Furthermore, in certain cases, Shabbos can even count as the first day of Shiva, as explained in the Halacha 3!

The last day of Aveilus: See Chapter 21 Halacha 1 regarding the exact time that the Shiva ends on the seventh day.

Yom Tov breaks Shiva: The arrival of a Yom Tov ends the Shiva as explained in Halacha 11 and Chapter 27 Halacha 1. See there for the full details of this matter!

Shiva calculation chart

*Excluding Yom Tov/Chol Hamoed, and other cases of exception explained in chapter 13 and 27 in which the Shiva may begin some time before or after the burial!

Day of burial End of Shiva
Between Motzei Shabbos and Sunday before Tzeis Hakochavim Shabbos morning
Between Sunday night past Tzeis Hakochavim-Monday before Tzeis Hakochavim Sunday after Shacharis
Between Monday night past Tzeis Hakochavim-Tuesday before Tzeis Hakochavim Monday after Shacharis
Between Tuesday night past Tzeis Hakochavim-Wednesday before Tzeis Hakochavim Tuesday after Shacharis
Between Wednesday night past Tzeis Hakochavim- Thursday before Tzeis Hakochavim Wednesday after Shacharis
Between Thursday night past Tzeis Hakochavim-Friday before Tzeis Hakochavim Thursday after Shacharis

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[1] Michaber 400:1; Mishneh Moed Katan 19a

[2] The reason: As some of the laws of mourning are applicable also on Shabbos, such as private mourning laws. [Michaber ibid]

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