Understanding Shiva

Judaism provides a structured period of mourning, that may last up to one year, allowing the mourner to gradually heal by going through different stages of grief.  In a years time, the mourner is able to accept and re-engage in his or her  normal routines. This section will give you a basic overview and understanding of shiva and Jewish mourning.

What is Shiva

The first period of structured mourning is shiva. The word shiva has many different meanings across different...

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Who Sits Shiva

A Jewish individual who is mourning the loss of a loved one typically sits shiva. You are considered a mourner when... 

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Mourner Observances

Whether you are sitting shiva or visiting a shiva home, you will encounter various types of observances. Some are traditional...

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Periods of Mourning

While shiva is a very specific stage of mourning, there are stages both before and after shiva that have particular...

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