At a shiva house, avoid clichés like "How are you?", "I know how you feel," or "She lived a long life," as they minimize grief; instead, focus on listening, sharing positive memories of the deceased, and offering silent support or short, sincere condolences like "Hamakom yenachem etchem" (May the Omnipresent comfort you). Do not ask about the death details, offer unsolicited advice (e.g., "You'll meet someone new"), try to cheer them up, or bring up your own losses, keeping the focus entirely on the mourners' needs.
They do not go to work, engage in social activities, or undertake the usual daily tasks. Mourners are not allowed to bathe, shower, shave, wash clothes, wear makeup, study the Torah, wear leather or jewelry, or participate in sexual relations during the week of Shiva.
Anything involving entertainment and leisure is avoided during Shiva to maintain its sanctity. This challenging time is for the community and family members to come together in support and remembrance. Focusing on your loved one's life instead of personal enjoyment will help you cope with your loss.
They may not feel like talking at all, and sitting in silence is perfectly acceptable. Or, the visitor can simply say, "I'm sorry," and that can be enough. Just being there says it all-words are not always necessary when visiting those sitting Shiva.
Yes, texting is the most casual of all forms of communication and may feel too informal for a topic as weighty as death. And while I don't mean to suggest that a text ought to take the place of an in-person shiva call, not everyone can realistically be by the mourner's side in person.
Lord Shiva's 7 Laws of Karma offer a path to self-realization and harmony. These principles, rooted in cause and effect, emphasize balance, action and reaction, transformation, detachment, self-awareness, compassionate destruction, and universal oneness.
The best way to greet the mourner is to sit down quietly near him or her. There is no expectation of a "greeting" between the mourner and the shiva caller. But if you want to give the mourner a hug or handshake, then you can do this.
Shiva takes place within the home of the spouse, parent, sibling, or child of the deceased. And while Shiva is a Jewish event, non-Jews are welcome to attend. During Shiva, the community will visit the grieving family to pay their respects.
The most common honorific is of blessed memory or may his/her memory be a blessing. The Hebrew transliteration is zikhrono livrakha (m.) / zikhronah livrakha (f.) (Hebrew: זיכרונה לברכה (f.) / זיכרונו לברכה (m.)). It is often abbreviated in English both as OBM and as Z"L.
You don't have to wear black to a shiva house, but your attire should always be respectful. Keep your visit short—It's not how long you stay, but that you pay the visit.
Stealing property from a Brahmin, or from a temple or from anyone else also displeases Lord Shiva. 10- Disrespecting One's Elders. Abusing one's parents, teachers or criticising them brings the wrath of Lord Shiva. One must also not abuse hermits as well.
According to mythology, Brahma used the Ketaki Flower to lie to Lord Shiva. When Shiva discovered the truth, he cursed the flower, saying it could never be used for prayers but only for decoration. Yes, Ketaki Flowers can be expensive, especially during festivals like Maha Shivratri.
Despite his fierce appearance, Lord Shiva is also known for his immense compassion and love for all beings. He is regarded as the ultimate deity who accepts everyone without judgment.
Shiva has several fierce forms like Bhairava, Kala Bhairava, and Rudra. These forms are depicted as violent and destructive, associated with anger, rage, and chaos.
Bringing food to a shiva is a thoughtful and practical way to support the grieving family. It is essential to consider kosher dietary laws, which are often observed during this time. Pre-prepared meals, baked goods, or fruit platters are excellent choices, as they are easy to serve and share with visitors.
Haldi and Kumkum: Haldi (Turmeric) and Kumkum. Though Haldi and Kumkum are offered to every god, it should never be offered to Lord Shiva. Haldi is used as an ingredient to enhance beauty and Shiva is said to be a saint who stays away from worldly pleasures.
SHALOM - pronounced - sha (the 'a' is short and sounds like ah) lom (the 'o' is a long 'o' sound). Shalom means peace. It is used as a greeting to say hello or goodbye. What I love though is when you say it twice - shalom shalom - it means more than peace, it means perfect peace.
Expressing condolences in a way that respects Jewish traditions can be comforting for the mourning family. Instead of saying "rest in peace," it is customary to say "may his/her memory be a blessing." This phrase honors the legacy of the deceased and conveys your heartfelt sympathy.
🤝 A common question answered: Can Jewish and non-Jewish people be friends? 🤔 The answer is a resounding YES! Judaism encourages acts of goodness and kindness, seeing our mission as "a light unto the nations." ✨ We're all one big human family, creations of God.
The funeral is levayat ha mayt [accompanying the dead] and it is the last good deed we can do for a friend. Attending shiva is nichum ahvaylim [comforting mourners] and while it also happens at the funeral, it really gets down to business at the shiva. Mortality is a bummer.
When it comes to cremation, Jewish funeral customs will vary across Judaism movements. For example, Orthodox and Conservative Jews prohibit it as they believe the body should be buried in the ground intact. In contrast, reform Jews accept cremation, and it is becoming a very popular practice.
Because the commandant for this duty rests on the man, any form of male contraception or sterilization is prohibited by Traditional Jewish Law. However, liberal figures and authorities encourage male contraception when the use of contraception is important for the safety and health of the man and his partner.
The 10 Rules of Judaism are the Ten Commandments, given by God to Moses, outlining core ethical and religious duties, including believing in one God, avoiding idolatry, honoring parents, keeping the Sabbath, and prohibitions against murder, adultery, stealing, lying (false witness), and coveting. These foundational laws, found in the Torah, guide Jewish life and behavior, establishing a covenant between God and the Jewish people.
Orthodox policies related to LGBTQ+ inclusion is grounded in the Torah and subsequent rabbinic teachings, which prohibit sexual relationships between individuals of same gender, and base gender roles on birth biology. Sex between men and particularly anal intercourse is deemed a violation of biblical weight.
