A Cappella- I know we don’t listen to music during the Three Weeks and Sefirah, as well as mourners. What about a cappella? Some groups even use their voices to mimic instrumentation, and I can hardly tell I’m not listening to the… More »
Comforting Mourners- How do I speak to my brother who just lost his 12-year-old son in an accident? He and his wife are devastated and I want to make sure I choose the right words. More »
Completion of Kaddish- My father passed away on June 14, which was 24 Sivan, but was not buried until the Sunday after, 27 Sivan. Until when should I recite the kaddish? More »
Convert – Mourning & Kaddish for Non-Jewish Parent- I am a convert but I still have a good relationship with my parents, who are very decent people and who were very supportive of my religious transformation. Unfortunately, my father is not doing well. In the event that matters… More »
Covering Mirrors in House of Mourning- I recently visited the shiva house (house of mourning) for a coworker. One of the more striking things I noticed was that all mirrors were covered. It felt a little spooky. What is the reason for this? Is it because… More »
Grandson Saying Kaddish- My grandmother recently passed away. She only had one son, my father a”h, who passed away a few years ago. She also had two daughters. I am the oldest grandson. Should I say kaddish for my grandmother or should one… More »
Kaddish for Abusive Parent- My father was violent and abusive. He suffered from depression and other psychological disorders, and growing up was very difficult for me and my sister. He died fairly recently. We sat shiva for him and I began saying Kaddish regularly.… More »
Kaddish in Aramaic- Unfortunately I am saying Kaddish this year for my mother of blessed memory. I noticed that the text of it is especially difficult to pronounce and understand, and I was told it’s because it’s in Aramaic. Why is it in… More »
Kaddish - Minyan- What should an individual do if he cannot say Kaddish on a regular basis? Is it better to pray from home if you must drive to Shul on Shabbat? More »
Leather Shoes- I am used to the idea of not wearing leather shoes on Yom Kippur. But recently my mother died and the rabbi said that I shouldn’t wear leather shoes for a whole week. Why not? More »
Mourner Attending Child's Wedding- My mother passed away about two months ago while on a more positive note, my son recently became engaged. Unless we delay the wedding inordinately long, it will fall out while I am still in mourning. Are there any restrictions… More »
Mourner Wearing New Clothes- I am in mourning for my mother this year. Am I allowed to buy new clothes if I have a need for them? More »
Mourning Adoptive Parent- How do the laws of kaddish and mourning apply to an adopted child? My father is unfortunately not doing well. To me he is a father in every way, but I do know that my sister and I are not… More »
Shiva on Shabbat- We are unfortunately sitting shiva for our mother right now. I know that shiva is not observed on Shabbat, but I’m unclear precisely how one goes about observing Shabbat. Are there any differences from an ordinary Shabbat? More »
Shiva Shortened by Yom Tov- My father passed away two days before Rosh Hashana, and we only sat in mourning for two days rather than the customary seven. I never did get the straight story why is that? Apparently it has something to do with… More »
Start of Shiva – Not Attending Funeral- If one of the deceased’s children will not be attending her parent’s funeral (due to travel difficulties), when does shiva begin? Does she wait until the burial has ended? More »
Three Weeks – Background Music- According to the custom not to listen to music in the Three Weeks, are you allowed to watch a documentary which has some music in the background? More »
Why Do Mourners Recite Kaddish?- We are saying Kaddish for my father this year unfortunately. I would like to understand the purpose of this prayer and why it is said specifically by mourners. More »
Withholding / Delaying Notification of Death- My father passed away about 3 weeks ago. We decided at the time not to notify his brother whose health is precarious and whose mental acuity is not 100%. On the other hand, as a result, my uncle never sat… More »
Raise a Glass to Freedom
