Can you drink alcohol during 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. You may bring a Shiva platter along with you on a visit.
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What are you not allowed to do during shiva?

Many traditional Shiva restrictions include no wearing of new clothes, no shaving for men, no washing clothes, no bathing.
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Do people drink wine at shiva?

And yes, celebrating a life well lived with wine seems appropriate. There may be a difference between bringing wine to Shiva where the recipients may view it differently, but having you set the stage for the meaning of wine for this occasion, seems appropriate and proper. All the best.
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What do you do when sitting shiva?

During the traditional practices of sitting shiva, mourners stay home and hold a service each evening. Family members gather in one location to share this shiva experience, typically the home of the person being honored or another family member's home.
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How long should you stay at a shiva call?

Although it depends on your relation, the appropriate duration of a shiva call is typically an hour. Staying too long may put undue strain on the mourners, so consider the length of your visit.
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Why Does Lord Shiva Smoke Weed and Drink Alcohol?



Can I wear jeans to shiva?

Though there is no specific shiva attire, when attending a shiva you should dress respectfully. Men should wear long pants and women should dress conservatively. If the shiva is being held in the home of an orthodox Jewish family, women will be expected to wear long skirts (below the knees) and long-sleeved shirts.
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What is appropriate to bring to a shiva?

Suggested items for a Shiva basket are: baked goods and desserts, fresh fruit, dried fruit and nuts or chocolates. A Shiva platter usually contains cooked meats, fish and/or specialty salads. If the mourners keep a Kosher home, it is imperative to choose Kosher food to send.
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What can you not say at a shiva house?

WHAT NOT TO SAY
  • “How are you?” (They're not so good.)
  • “I know how you feel.” (No you don't. ...
  • “At least she lived a long life.” (Longer would have been better.)
  • “It's good that you have other children,” or, “Don't worry, you'll have more.” (The loss of a child, no matter what age, is completely devastating.)
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Can you cook during shiva?

It begins promptly after the burial, and while not all mourners sit for the entire shiva period, one thing remains constant: an abundance of food. You see, the Talmud states that it's forbidden for mourners to cook for themselves on the first day of mourning.
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Do you wear black to shiva?

Making a shiva call isn't going to be a party in any sense, but neither will it be a dark, depressing visit. 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.
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Can you shave during shiva?

Shiva – seven days

Observance of shiva is referred to by English-speaking Jews as "sitting shiva". During this period, mourners traditionally gather in one home and receive visitors. When they get home, the mourners refrain for a week from showering or bathing, wearing leather shoes or jewelry, or shaving.
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Can you leave the house during shiva?

Shiva Restrictions

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.
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Can you sit Shiva for a pet?

The two main purposes of Jewish funeral and shivah rituals is to acknowledge the character of the deceased and to be helpful to the mourners. There is no reason, therefore, why you cannot say a prayer, light a candle or hold a service for a close pet.
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Why are shiva chairs low?

Among the many traditions that are an essential part of Shiva is the arrangement of the seating. The seating for family members is customarily either low stools/chairs or boxes, so that the immediate mourners are actually seated below the visiting mourners.
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Can Jews be cremated?

In Jewish law, the human body belongs to God, not to the individual. Jewish law and tradition consider cremation as destruction of property.
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Why do you walk around the block after shiva?

At the end of shiva, the mourners may walk once around their block. This symbolizes they are ready to resume daily life. Although they are not yet finished mourning, they have ended the first stage of mourning.
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Should you bring a gift to shiva?

In many Orthodox communities, mourners usually aren't expected to bring food or gifts to the shiva. Close friends of the family or members of the community will organize food for mourners. If you're not certain what to do, check with the family or synagogue before making a shiva call.
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Why do Jews cover mirrors?

The death of human beings disrupts the connection between the living man and living God. Since the purpose of mirrors is to reflect such image, they are covered during mourning. A second reason mirrors are covered in Judaism branches from contemplation of one's relationship with God during the death of a loved one.
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What do you say at a shiva house?

It is a mitzvah to visit a house of mourning during Shiva. We visit to offer friendship and sympathy to the mourner. 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.”
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Is there food at a shiva?

Shiva Meal (Seudat Havra-ah) is a meal of condolence prepared by friends to provide the mourners sustenance following the burial. The meal should contain round foods (symbolizing life and renewal), such as hard-boiled eggs, bagels or lentils.
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Do you bring flowers to shiva?

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.
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Why do you cover mirrors at shiva?

Covering Mirrors

Mirrors are also covered as a way to remind us the observation of shiva is not about ourselves but rather a time to concentrate on the deceased. The concept of vanity is shunned as this is considered a time of self-reflection, to concentrate on one's inner self and not outward appearances.
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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)
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Can you say Kaddish for a dog?

She said that although reciting Mourner's Kaddish is not appropriate for the death of a pet, contemporary Jews have developed rituals and prayers to help families cope with the loss of a beloved animal.
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Are cats kosher?

Jewish Kashrut laws forbid consuming cat meat as it is a predator. As well as not being a predator, a mammal must both chew cud and have cloven hooves in order to be considered kosher.
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