Jewish death rituals covering mirrors. While many religions share this custom, Jewish rituals have unique aspects. Credit: www. While neither sitting on stools nor covering mirrors is central to mourning in Reform Judaism, some Reform Jews choose to include one or both practices in their personal observance. In summary, covering mirrors is a common mourning practice. Jan 6, 2026 · Covering mirrors after a death is a meaningful Jewish practice that helps create a reflective and respectful environment during shiva. Regardless of its symbolism, covering mirrors is a striking visual cue, a token of the disruption and grief felt by everyone who enters the house. Some believe this practice aims to avoid vanity at a time of grief, but many say this custom has to do with the spirit realms. There are three major stages to preparing the body for burial: washing (rechitzah), ritual purification (taharah), and dressing (halbashah). This practice also symbolizes the temporary suspension of vanity during mourning. Some scholars point to the biblical story of Jacob as the foundation for this custom. Jan 14, 2026 · Learn why families cover mirrors after a death, how the tradition appears in Jewish, Victorian, Scottish/Irish & Chinese mourning. The body is washed with clear water and wrapped in a simple cloth shroud or . chabad. These practices offer comfort and reflection during a difficult time. While the custom is of uncertain origin, its practice is appropriate to the pattern of avelut. They write that all types of evil spirits and demons come to visit a family in mourning. There are several suggested reasons for this custom, most perfectly rational and practical, while some more Kabbalistic. It is an old Jewish custom that in the house of mourning the mirrors are covered. Like any Jewish tradition, shiva comes with a history of customs and rituals that date back centuries. Some also cover paintings and pictures of people. By covering mirrors in the house, mourners redirect their focus towards reflection and introspection, rather than vanity and personal appearance. The customs and rituals observed during the Jewish mourning period of Shiva are designed to honor and remember the life of the recently deceased. While the custom is of uncertain origin, its practice is appropriate to the pattern of mourning (see "Leather Shoes" below). Here are the answers I have seen: The rabbis reinterpreted the folk cus­tom, declaring that mirrors should be covered to discour­age vanity and encourage inner reflection. Many people are familiar with the Jewish custom of covering mirrors in a house of mourning. Once death has been established by a doctor or the family, mirrors are covered in the dead person’s house, to diminish reflection on the beauty and ornamentation of the flesh. It is a time-honored tradition to cover the mirrors and pictures in the house of mourning from the moment of death to the end of Shivah. Jan 4, 2026 · Jewish tradition involves covering mirrors after a death to avoid distractions and focus on grief. The Official Disney Parks Holidays Cookbook Pam Brandon, The Disney Chefs While the logic behind this ritual is not explicitly explained here, it reflects longstanding Jewish beliefs about death and mirrors. A variety of reasons have been advanced for the custom of covering the mirrors: The Aish Rabbi Replies You are right that covering the mirrors is one of the more unnerving customs we see in a house of mourning. This tradition is generally scrupulously observed by most mourners from all of the religious spectrum, yet the purpose of this custom is rarely understood. Explore the intriguing funeral tradition of covering mirrors after a death and its ties to beliefs about the afterlife. This ritual encourages mourners to focus on prayer, remembrance, and community support. While some basic customs, such as staying home and having guests over, happen at most shivas Covering the Mirrors. Covering the Mirrors It has been a time-honored tradition to cover the mirrors in the shiva home from the moment of death to the end of shiva. org Personal Reflections Jewish tradition covers mirrors after a death to discourage vanity and focus on mourning. The Kabbalists give a more spooky reason for covering mirrors in a house of mourning. ohzl, wbh7ko, m58w, it0dr, ay9m, r2krc, gcdurc, dd0nj6, 4cehs, atxyvd,