Can you bring chocolate to a shiva?

Suggested items for a Shiva basket are: baked goods and desserts, fresh fruit, dried fruit and nuts or chocolates.

What is not allowed during Shiva?

Many traditional Shiva restrictions include no wearing of new clothes, no shaving for men, no washing clothes, no bathing.

Can you bring cookies 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 is appropriate gift for Shiva?

Shiva Gifts

During this period of mourning, it is customary for family and friends to visit with those in mourning and provide food. Traditionally, it is appropriate to offer nuts, dried fruits, and chocolates, as well as baked goods and fresh fruits.

Do guests bring food to shiva?

Food for the Shiva

A considerate means of bringing comfort to those in mourning is to prevent them from having to cook. You may bring a Shiva platter along with you on a visit. You can also send platters or a basket of food. Most of these provisions are intended for the mourners to ensure they are nourished.

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What should a guest do at a shiva?

The tradition suggests being silent, allowing the mourner to open the conversation. Simply offering a hug, a kiss, a handshake, an arm around the shoulder speaks volumes. If you do want to open a conversation, start with a simple “I'm so sorry” or “I don't know what to say.

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.

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.

Can you wear makeup to a shiva?

Appearance and Grooming: Mourners don't worry about their appearance or looks during this grieving period. Generally, mourners don't wear makeup or dress in specific clothing. Mourning members of the family refrain from haircutting during this period of mourning. Also, men don't shave during shiva.

What colors do you wear to a shiva?

In that vein, there is no requirement to wear black, nor do you need to worry if your outfit is a little too colorful. The key for dressing to go to a shiva is to be respectful of the family in mourning. And that can vary from family to family.

Can you bring flowers to 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.

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).

What food to bring to shiva house?

The most commonplace Jewish foods at a shiva are deli sandwich platters, baked pasta dishes, loads of baked goods and sliced fruit platters. All gestures are appreciated, but if the same food is being presented to the mourning family day after day, it can be overkill, even when it's something sweet.

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)

How long should you stay at a shiva call?

Shiva calls are short, usually twenty to thirty minutes in total. The purpose of a shiva call isn't to pay a social visit—it's to physically demonstrate that you're available for the mourner. Twenty to thirty minutes is usually enough to demonstrate this sentiment.

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.

Can I wear jeans to a Shiva?

There really is no set church dress code, but in general, wearing denim should be avoided. Unless your church clearly states that jeans are OK, it's best to avoid wearing them for Sunday services. Depending on the church you attend, you may go to evening services or services that are held during the week.

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 do you say when leaving a Shiva house?

What do you say when leaving a shiva house? It is customary to say to the mourners: Ha-Makom ye-nachem etchem be-toch she'ar avelay Tziyon vi-Yerushala'yim. May the Lord comfort you together with all mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.”

Do you have to be invited to a shiva?

Mourners are welcome to express sadness and heartache. When you approach a home that's sitting shiva, you're invited to walk right in. As shiva is observed, the mourner's home is open to the community and everyone is welcome. Shiva is a time to meet the mourners, to share memories and stories about the deceased.

Can a woman wear pants to a 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.

Which flower is not Worshipped to shiva?

Champaka, also known as Golden Champa or Yellow Champak is not used in the worship of Lord Shiva. There is an interesting story in the Shiv Purana which explains the reason why Champaka flowers are not used in Shiva Puja.

Is there alcohol at shiva?

The offering that you make to the Lord is alcohol. Yes, am not kidding ! We bought along with flowers a bottle of vodka for Lord Shiva. In the hindu scriptures, Shiva is described to be someone who enjoys his meat and his alcohol.

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.

What is Lord shiva Favourite Colour?

According to Hindu tradition, Lord Shiva's favorite color is blue.