Shiva (Judaism) - Other Practices

Other Practices

Among Sephardic Jews food is served to the visitors and it is considered a mitzvah to make a blessing on the food in the merit of the deceased. Sephardim believe that every beracha (blessing) said elevates the neshama, (soul) of the deceased. Therefore, one should eat a variety of foods to be able to say more than one beracha. In an Ashkenazic home of mourning, food is not served except for the possibility of a light breakfast as a courtesy to those attending Shaharit (morning prayer) since they generally go straight to work after the service.

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