According to Jewish law, individuals should sit shiva after losing a parent, spouse, sibling, or child. During the traditional practices of sitting shiva, mourners stay home and hold a service each evening.
Do you bring anything to sit shiva?
What should I bring to shiva? Bring food that can easily be served and shared. Avoid food that requires work on the part of the mourners. Kosher cookies, cakes, candies, nuts are all welcome at shiva as long as they are crowd pleasers and easy to serve.
How do you sit shiva for a friend?
- Find the Right Time to Visit. Check with friends or family at the end of the funeral service for the right time(s) to visit.
- Dress Appropriately.
- Wash Your Hands.
- Just Walk In.
- Bring or Send Food.
- Find the Mourner.
- Talk to Friends.
- Consider the Length of Your Visit.
When can you not sit shiva?
Shiva is not observed on Shabbat or holidays. If a funeral should occur prior to a Jewish holiday, and the mourners have observed Shiva for at least one hour before the holiday begins, then the sitting of Shiva ends with start of the holiday at sunset.
What is prohibited during shiva?
During shiva the following acts are prohibited for the mourners: Leaving the house, except to go to synagogue on Shabbat, or even during the week if there is no minyan at the shiva house. Work or any business pursuits. Shaving or haircuts.
What can you not say at a shiva house?
Here are examples of things not to say: “How are you?” (They're not so good.) “I know how you feel.” (No you don't. Each person feels a unique loss.)