Can I bring wine to a shiva?

Food for the Shiva

Some may refrain from anything associated with happiness and festivity, like wine. However, this is not prohibited. A considerate means of bringing comfort to those in mourning is to prevent them from having to cook.

What is appropriate to bring to a shiva?

Kosher cookies, cakes, candies, nuts are all welcome at shiva as long as they are crowd pleasers and easy to serve. Jewish custom discourages sending flowers or gifts other than food when people are sitting Shiva. In fact, Shiva begins with seudat havra'ah, "the meal of consolation," prepared by family and neighbors.

What should you not bring to a shiva?

In many Orthodox communities, mourners usually aren't expected to bring food or gifts to the shiva.

What not to say at a shiva house?

A mourner is not greeted with “shalom” or “shalom Aleichem” because he is not at peace. Similarly, the mourner he should not greet others in this way. Not only that, not even visitors to the shiva house should greet one another in this fashion (Aruch HaShulchan YD 385:4).

Can you take food from a shiva house?

There is a prevalent custom not to remove anything from a shiva house; this includes even retrieving items that had previously been borrowed by the mourner. There are many variations of this practice. For example, some are lenient when it comes to food, while others rule stringently.

Does Shiva smoke weed (ganja) and drink liquor?

Can you bring alcohol to a shiva?

Food for the Shiva

Some may refrain from anything associated with happiness and festivity, like wine. However, this is not prohibited. A considerate means of bringing comfort to those in mourning is to prevent them from having to cook.

Do you wear black to a shiva?

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.

How long should a guest stay at shiva?

A shiva visit should be no more than an hour. If a service is held, come a few minutes before and stay a few after. Mourners uniformly report how exhausted they are by the shiva experience; do not overstay your welcome. Say goodbye.

Can you have flowers at a shiva?

For example, in many traditions, it is customary to send flowers to a funeral home or directly to immediate family members of the deceased. In the Jewish tradition, though, that is generally discouraged—it's extremely rare that flowers would be sent to either the funeral home or the shiva home.

Do you wear shoes at a shiva?

In some customs, the mourners refrain from wearing leather shoes. Some wear shoes of canvas or cloth. Others wear no shoes at all during shiva. Visitors may wear whatever footwear is appropriate, but should not wear non-leather shoes unless appropriate with the outfit worn.

What do you do when you go to a shiva?

During this time, family members traditionally gather in one home to receive visitors. The word “shiva” means seven, signifying the seven day mourning period in which mourners are supposed to sit low to the ground. Shiva is a time to show support to the family of the person who died.

Do you have to dress up for shiva?

There is no specific dress code. Dressing respectfully is a must though. This means women should be conservative and men should wear long pants. If Shiva is being held in an orthodox home, many women will be dressed in long skirts below the knee and long sleeve shirt.

What do you do when you sit Shiva?

Most people gather to comfort the family who has lost someone. It is also a time for everyone to share stories about the deceased. Conversations generally center around the family and listening to their memories. Shiva is held for family and friends to begin the healing process.

What do you say when you visit a shiva house?

Before leaving, one stands up, approaches the mourner and recites, “HaMakom yenacheim etchem betoch sha'ar aveiliei Tzion v'Yerushalayim”—May the Almighty comfort you among those who mourn for Zion and Jerusalem.

What is a shiva gift?

Shiva baskets typically contain baked goods, dried fruit, nuts, fresh fruits and/or chocolates. The food items in a shiva basket are designed to provide nourishment and energy to those sitting shiva for the entire seven days. This is a traditional shiva gift and is appropriate to give to a Jewish family in mourning.

What is the protocol for paying a shiva call?

Take a seat in one of those chairs, make eye contact with the mourner, but stay silent until the mourner speaks to you. Most importantly, keep your visit short. Shiva calls are uncomfortable as it is — don't make it worse by overstaying your welcome and filling the silences with mindless prattle.

What color flower does shiva like?

Hibiscus Flowers

This gorgeous red or pink coloured flower is used in the Pooja. The one who offers this flower will get a place in Kailash which is Lord Shiva's abode.

Which flower shiva does not like?

Kewda & Champa Flowers

Shiva is although not very fond of white flowers, but, it is said that the flowers Kewda and Champa are cursed by the Lord and should never be offered to him during puja.

Which flower is cursed by Lord Shiva?

Ketaki is a forbidden flower cursed by Lord Shiva for bearing a false witness of Lord Brahma.

Can you change clothes during shiva?

Laundering and Wearing Clothes

Laundered clothes must not be worn during the shiva, even if they were laundered before the person became a mourner. Members of the mourner's household who are not themselves mourners are allowed to launder their clothes, and are allowed to wear laundered clothes.

Can I wash my hair during shiva?

Prohibited acts—Under Jewish law, those sitting Shiva are expressly prohibited from engaging in a number of activities, including: Leaving the Shiva home, except to attend synagogue on Shabbat. Shaving or cutting hair. Bathing (though basic hygiene is allowed)

Do you sit Shiva at night?

During the traditional practices of sitting shiva, mourners stay home and hold a service each evening.

Do you cover mirrors during shiva?

Mirrors – It is proper to cover the mirrors (with sheets, or fogged spray provided by the funeral home) in the shiva house for the following reasons: During shiva, a mourner is striving to ignore his/her own physicality and vanity in order to concentrate on the reality of being a soul.

How do you pay respects at shiva?

Can you bring bagels to a shiva?

Here are Some of the Best Foods to Bring to a Shiva:

Bagels are a classic, and they are also circular, symbolizing the cycle of life. Be sure to choose an assortment so that there is a variety to choose from. Include with the bagels, spreads like cream cheese, and side salads like egg and tuna salad.