What is shiva?

Answer 1

It's the first 7 days after the death in a Jewish family.

The mourners cover their mirrors, take off their shoes and sit in chairs. They don't work, attend parties, and are not expected to cook, clean, do laundry, and go shopping - friends help them out.

"Shiva" literally means seven. In Judaism, a person mourns for a relative in stages. The first, most intense stage of mourning lasts for seven days from the funeral. This is called Shiva.

During that time, the mourners (children, spouse and siblings of the deceased) traditionally stay at the home of the deceased or an immediate relative. The mourners sit on low stools throughout that period, where a shirt that has been ripped to symbolize their mourning and do not wear leather shoes. The mourners may not leave the house and may not shop or do business.

The doors to the "Shiva house" are left open during the day, so that people can come offer comfort to the mourners. Regular prayer services are held at the "Shiva house" and male mourners say the memorial prayer known as kaddish.

There are various other customs that relate to the atmosphere and behavior in the "Shiva house", mainly aimed at honoring the deceased, and keeping the sombre nature of that time, to allow the mourners to grieve.