The Mourning Practices During the Shiva: Prayers, Shabbat Observance, and More

Covering Pictures

When praying in a house of mourning, the pictures on the wall in the direction toward which the Amidah is recited should be covered. If they were not covered, it is sufficient for the congregation to close their eyes.

Morning Blessings

A mourner recites all the morning blessings, including the blessing “Who has provided for all my needs.”

Order of Prayer

The mourner prays according to the regular daily order, including: the Binding of Isaac, the daily offering, Pitum HaKetoret (at the beginning and end of the prayer), Eizehu Mekoman, Pesukei DeZimra, Shirat HaYam, Kaddish Titkabel, Shir Shel Yom, and so on.

One who is accustomed to reciting “Petach Eliyahu” before prayer, as well as the sections “Kadesh Li Kol Bechor” and “Vehaya Ki Yeviacha” with tefillin, may continue to do so during the mourning period.

Vidui (Confession): In a house of mourning, Vidui, the psalm “Ya’ancha Hashem Beyom Tzarah”, and “Tefillah LeDavid” are not recited — even if the mourner is not praying together with them.

Tikkun Chatzot: One who sleeps in a house of mourning and recites Tikkun Chatzot at night should omit Vidui, even if the mourner is not present.

“U’va Letzion Goel”: In a house of mourning, this section begins with the verse “U’va Letzion Goel… Ne’um Hashem”, skips the verse “Va’ani Zot Beriti Otam…”, and continues with “Ve’ata Kadosh…”.

Priestly Blessing

Priests praying in a house of mourning perform the priestly blessing. However, a mourner who is a priest customarily does not raise his hands, whether on weekdays or Shabbat, because he is not in a state of joy — and the blessing must be given with joy and a glad heart.

Therefore, before the prayer leader calls “Kohanim,” the mourner should step outside so as not to be called and refuse. If he was unaware and was called, he should perform the blessing. If he himself is the prayer leader and there are no other priests, he performs the blessing since he cannot leave.

On Shabbat during the seven days of mourning, if there is no other priest, the mourner may perform the blessing so as not to display public mourning.

Washing Hands

A mourner who is a priest and performs the blessing, and a Levite who pours water for the priest, wash their hands up to the wrist as usual.

Prayer Leader

A mourner for a father or mother may serve as the prayer leader even if someone else is available, provided he is suitable and the congregation agrees.

A mourner for other relatives should preferably not serve if someone else can, but if no one else is capable, the mourner may serve.

Minyan and Synagogue

It is proper to arrange a minyan in the mourner’s home. However, if this is not possible, the mourner should not pray alone but should go to the synagogue — whether on weekdays, Shabbat, Tisha B’Av, or Purim.

Even if the mourner serves as prayer leader in the synagogue, the congregation prays as usual, and only he omits the specific sections mentioned earlier.

Minyan of Mourners in a Synagogue

If a synagogue normally does not have a weekday morning minyan, and mourners organize one during shivah, the congregation does not recite Vidui, as they are considered to be praying in a house of mourning.

Sitting in the Synagogue

When a mourner attends synagogue, he should not sit on a regular chair but on a low stool or seat, as he does at home during mourning.

Hallel on Rosh Chodesh

When praying in a house of mourning on Rosh Chodesh, the mourner does not recite Hallel. He should leave the room or the congregation should step out to recite it.

If the seventh day of mourning falls on Rosh Chodesh, once the mourning period is lifted, he may recite Hallel.

In a synagogue, however, the mourner recites Hallel with the congregation.

Hallel on Chanukah

A mourner is obligated to recite Hallel on Chanukah, as it is required by law.

Selichot

During Elul and the Ten Days of Repentance, Selichot are recited in a house of mourning, omitting Vidui. If no minyan is available at home, the mourner may go to the synagogue but should omit Vidui.

Public Fast Days

If a public fast occurs during shivah, Vidui and “VeHu Rachum” are not recited — only the special Selichot for the fast.

Tziduk HaDin

It is customary to recite Tziduk HaDin during shivah after the daily prayers.

Going to the Synagogue for Torah Reading

If there is no Torah scroll in the mourner’s home, he should go to the synagogue on Mondays, Thursdays, and Shabbat to hear the Torah reading.

If possible, a Torah scroll may be brought to the house and placed respectfully, so there is no need to go out.

Torah Honors

A mourner may be honored with opening the Ark, lifting the Torah, and similar honors.

He should preferably not read from the Torah unless no one else is capable.

Aliyot (Being Called to the Torah)

A mourner does not receive an aliyah during weekdays, Shabbat, or even Tisha B’Av — except in certain cases (such as no other priest on Shabbat).

Blessing of Gomel

A mourner who must recite the blessing of Gomel should do so without receiving an aliyah.

Blessing of the Moon

Since the blessing must be recited with joy, a mourner should preferably delay it until after shivah, unless time will expire.

Shabbat During Shivah

Mourning applies privately on Shabbat but not publicly. Therefore:

• The mourner wears Shabbat clothes, including leather shoes.

• He greets others with “Shabbat Shalom.”

Bathing is limited, and marital relations are prohibited.

Learning Torah

A mourner may not study Torah as usual, even on Shabbat, but may study laws of mourning or think about Torah silently.

These laws outline how mourning integrates with daily Jewish life — preserving dignity, structure, and connection to prayer and community, even in times of loss, while carefully balancing the limitations of mourning with ongoing religious obligations.