Rabbi Shlomo Ganzfried

1 During the first seven days of mourning, the mourner may not leave his house. However, if a death occurs in his family, or even if a stranger dies, and there are not enough people to attend the funeral and burial, he is permitted to leave his house even...

1 During the thirty days of mourning it is forbidden for a man to marry. Likewise, a woman who is a mourner is forbidden to get married until after the thirty days of mourning are over. After thirty days, they are permitted even if they are in mourning fo...

1 A mourner is forbidden to eat at the feasts of either a circumcision, redemption of a firstborn, or completion of a Talmudic tractate, and especially a wedding feast, during the thirty days of mourning for a relative, and during the entire twelve months...

1 During the seven days of mourning he is forbidden to sit on a bench or upon pillows and cushions. He must sit on the ground [floor]. But an ill or elderly person, who experience pain when sitting on the floor, may place a small pillow beneath them. Howe...

1 A mourner is forbidden to study Torah, for it is written, "The precepts of Adonoy, are upright, rejoicing the heart."Psalms 19:9. and a mourner is forbidden to rejoice. He is forbidden to study the Scriptures, the Mishnah, and the Talmud, including the ...

1 The mourner is forbidden to wash his entire body even with cold water; but his face, hands and feet are only forbidden to be washed with warm water, but are permitted to be washed with cold water. Bathing with warm water is forbidden during the entire t...

1 These are the things a mourner is forbidden to do during the first seven days: to work, to bathe, to anoint himself to wear shoes and to engage in marital relations. He is forbidden to study Torah, he is forbidden to offer greetings, he is forbidden to ...

1 It is a great mitzvah to console mourners. We find that the Holy One blessed is He, consoled mourners, as it is written, "And it came to pass after the death of Avraham, that God blessed his son,"Genesis 25:11. Yitchak, This is an act of kindness to the...

1 If a person heard of the death of a relative for whom he is obliged to observe mourning, within thirty days of his death or even on the thirtieth day itself, such tidings are timely and he must tear his garments. He is obliged to observe the seven days ...

1 On the first day of mourning, the mourner is forbidden to eat his first meal from his own food. It is a mitzvah for his neighbors to send him food for his first meal, which is called the meal of condolence. This meal should begin with eggs or lentils, f...