Kitzur Shulchan Aruch

הַסְכָּמַת רֹב הַפּוֹסְקִים דִּשְׁמִטַּת כְּסָפִים נוֹהֶגֶת גַּם בַּזְּמַן הַזֶּה, וַאֲפִלּוּ בְּחוּץ לָאָרֶץ. וְהָעוֹלָם נָהֲגוּ לְהָקֵל. וּכְבָר הִרְעִישׁוּ עַל זֹאת גְּדוֹלֵי יִשְֹרָאֵל זִכְרוֹנָם לִבְרָכָה, וּקְצָת מֵהֶם טָרְחוּ לְלַמֵּד זְכוּת עַל הַמִּנְהָג שֶׁסּוֹמְכִין עַל קְצָת מְקִלִין. אֲבָל מִי שֶׁרוֹצֶה לְדַקְדֵּק בַּמִצְוֹת, בְּוַדַּאי מְחֻיָב לַעֲשׂוֹת כְּדַעַת רֹב הַפּוֹסְקִים זִכְרוֹנָם לִבְרָכָה. וּבִפְרָט שֶׁיוּכַל לְתַקֵּן אֶת הַדָּבָר עַל יְדֵי פְּרוֹזְבּוּל וְלֹא יָבוֹא לִידֵי פְסִידָא. וּשְׁנַת הַשְּׁמִטָּה הָיְתָה בִֹּשְנַת תרל"ה, וְתִהְיֶה אִם יִרְצֶה הַשֵׁם בִּשְׁנַת תרמ"ב. [וְהַבָּאוֹת, אי"ה, תש"מ, תשמ"ז, תשנ"ד, תשס"א, תשס"ח, תשע"ה, תשפ"ב, תשפ"ט, תשצ"ו, תת"ג. וְכוּ'].

Most Poskim [halachic authorities] agree that the cancellation of debts on the shemitah year, is effective even in our time, and even in lands outside Eretz Yisroel. The general public is lenient about this, and have been censured on this account by the great Torah scholars of Yisrael, of blessed memory. A few of them have tried to justify this [lax] custom by relying on a few [authorities] who are lenient about this. However, a person who wishes to observe mitzvos meticulously is certainly obligated to follow the opinion of the majority of poskim of blessed memory. Particularly so, when the problem can be solved by means of the prosbol, (see paragraph 15) without any monetary loss. The last Sabbatical Year was in 5635, and will occur, God willing, in the year 5642.

Kitzur Shulchan Arukh 180:1 · Kitzur Shulchan Aruch, trans. Rabbi Avrohom Davis, Metsudah Pub., 1996

כְּשֶׁנָפַל בֵּין שְׁנֵי בְנֵי אָדָם אֵיזֶה סִכְסוּךְ, רָאוּי לָהֶם לְהִתְפַּשֵּׁר בְּטוֹב וְשֶׁיְוַתֵּר כָּל אֶחָד נֶגֶד חֲבֵרוֹ, כְּדֵי לְהִתְרַחֵק מִזִּילוּתָא דְבֵי דִינָא בָּכָל מַה דְּאֶפְשָׁר.

When there is a controversy between two persons, it is best for them to agree to an acceptable compromise, with each side yielding somewhat, in order to avoid the humiliation of a lawsuit. They should make every effort to do so.

Kitzur Shulchan Arukh 181:1 · Kitzur Shulchan Aruch, trans. Rabbi Avrohom Davis, Metsudah Pub., 1996

אָסוּר לִגְזוֹל אוֹ לִגְנוֹב אֲפִלּוּ כָּל שֶׁהוּא, בֵּין מִיִשְֹרָאֵל בֵּין מִגּוֹי. אִיתָא בְּתַנָּא דְבֵי אֵלִיָהוּ, מַעֲשֶׂה בְּאֶחָד שֶׁסִּפֵּר לִי, שֶׁעָשָׂה עַוְלָה לַגּוֹי בִּמְדִידַת הַתְּמָרִים שֶׁמָּכַר לוֹ, וְאַחַר כָּךְ קָנָה בְּכָל הַמָּעוֹת שֶׁמֶן, וְנִשְׁבַּר הַכַּד וְנִשְׁפַּךְ הַשֶׁמֶן. וְאָמַרְתִּי, בָּרוךְ הַמָּקוֹם שֶׁאֵין לְפָנָיו מַשּׂוֹא פָּנִים. הַכָּתוּב אוֹמֵר, לֹא תַעֲשׂק אֶת רֵעֲךָ וְלֹא תִגְזֹל. וְגֵזֶל הַנָכְרִי, גָּזֵל.

It is forbidden to rob or to steal even an article of trivial value from a Jew or from a non-Jew. It is recorded in Tanna Devei Eliyohu: It happened that a man told me [Eliyah] that he had wronged a non-Jew in measuring dates that he sold to him. Thereafter, he bought oil with all that money and the jug broke and the oil spilled. I said, "Blessed is the Omnipotent that shows no favoritism." The Torah says, "Do not cheat your fellow, nor rob him," and robbery of a non-Jew also constitutes robbery.

Kitzur Shulchan Arukh 182:1 · Kitzur Shulchan Aruch, trans. Rabbi Avrohom Davis, Metsudah Pub., 1996

אָסוּר לְהַזִּיק מָמוֹן חֲבֵרוֹ, אֲפִלּוּ עַל דַּעַת לְשַׁלֵּם, כְּמוֹ שֶׁאָסוּר לִגְנֹב וְלִגְזֹל עַל דַּעַת לְשַׁלֵּם. וַאֲפִלּוּ לִגְרֹם נֶזֶק לַחֲבֵרוֹ, בֵּין בְּמַעֲשֶׂה בֵּין בְּדִבּוּר, אָסוּר, כְּגוֹן רְאוּבֵן שֶׁמּוֹכֵר סְחוֹרָה לַגּוֹי, וּבָא שִׁמְעוֹן וְאוֹמֵר לוֹ, שֶׁאֵינָהּ שָׁוָה כָּל כָּךְ אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁהָאֱמֶת כֵּן, אָסוּר, שֶׁהֲרֵי אוֹנָאָתוֹ מֻתֶּרֶת. וְכָל הַגּוֹרֵם נֶזֶק לַחַבֵרוֹ, אֲפִלּוּ בְּעִנְיָן שֶׁפָּטוּר מִדִּינֵי אָדָם, חַיָב בְּדִינֵי שָׁמַיִם, עַד שֶׁיְפַיֵס אֶת חֲבֵרוֹ.

It is forbidden to damage someone's property even with the intention of making reparation, just as it is forbidden to steal or to rob with the intention of making restitution. It is even forbidden to cause damage to your neighbor, either by deed or by word. For example, if Reuven sold merchandise to a non-Jew, and Shimon came along and told the non-Jew that it is not worth so much money, although it is really true, it is forbidden to do so. He who indirectly causes damage to his neighbor, although he is exempt in the court of Beis Din, he is liable in the (Heavenly Court) until he placates his neighbor.

Kitzur Shulchan Arukh 183:1 · Kitzur Shulchan Aruch, trans. Rabbi Avrohom Davis, Metsudah Pub., 1996

אָסוּר לְאָדָם לְהַכּוֹת אֶת חֲבֵרוֹ. וְאִם הִכָּהוּ, עוֹבֵר בְּלֹא תַעֲשֶׂה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר, וְהָיָה אִם בִּן הַכּוֹת הָרָשָׁע וְגוֹ', אַרְבָּעִים יַכֶּנּוּ לֹא יֹסִיף פֶּן יֹסִיף וְגוֹ', אִם הִקְפִּידָה הַתּוֹרָה בְּהַכָּאַת הָרָשָׁע שֶׁלֹּא לְהַכּוֹתוֹ יוֹתֵר עַל רִשְׁעוֹ, קַל וָחֹמֶר בְּהַכָּאַת צַדִּיק. וְכָל הַמֵּרִים יַד עַל חֲבֵרוֹ לְהַכּוֹתוֹ, אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁלֹּא הִכָּהוּ, נִקְרָא רָשָׁע, שֶׁנֶאֱמַר, וַיֹּאמֶר לָרָשָׁע לָמָּה תַכֶּה רֵעֶךָ, לָמָּה הִכִּיתָ לֹא נֶאֱמַר, אֶלָּא לָמָּה תַכֶּה, אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁעֲדַיִן לֹא הִכָּהוּ, נִקְרָא רָשָׁע. וְכָל מִי שֶׁהִכָּה אֶת חֲבֵרוֹ, הֲרֵי הוּא מָחֳרָם בְּחֵרֶם הַקַּדְמוֹנִים, וְאֵין לְצָרְפוֹ לְמִנְיַן עֲשָׂרָה לְכָל דָּבָר שֶׁבִּקְדֻשָּׁה, עַד שֶׁיַתִּירוּ לוֹ בֵּית דִּין אֶת הַחֵרֶם, כְּשֶׁמְּקַבֵּל עָלָיו לִשְׁמֹעַ דִּינָם. וְאִם אֶחַד מַכֶּה אוֹתוֹ אוֹ לְיִשְֹרָאֵל אַחֵר וְאִ אֶפְשָׁר לְהַצִיל אֶת עַצְמוֹ אוֹ אֶת חֲבֵרוֹ מִיַד מַכֵּהוּ אֶלָּא עַל יְדֵי שֶׁיַכֶּה אוֹתוֹ, מֻתָּר לְהַכּוֹתוֹ.

It is forbidden to strike your fellow Jew, and if you do strike him you are transgressing a Divine negative command, as it is said, "If the wicked man deserves to be beaten etc., he should be given forty stripes, he shall not exceed, lest he exceed." If the Torah is concerned not to strike a wicked person more than prescribed for his evil, all the more so does this apply to the striking of the righteous. Whoever raises his hand against another to strike him, even if he does not actually strike him, is called a rasha (wicked person) as it is said, "And he said to the rasha: 'Why will you strike your neighbor?'" It is not said, "Why have you struck," but "Why will you strike;" although he did not actually strike him, he is called a rasha. Whoever strikes his fellow Jew has been excommunicated by the early Sages. He can not be counted as one of a quorum of ten required for the performance of sacred rituals, until Beis Din releases him from excommunication, upon his acceptance to abide by their decisions. However, if someone strikes you or a fellow Jew, and you are unable to save yourself or your fellow Jew from the attacker unless you strike him, you are permitted to strike him.

Kitzur Shulchan Arukh 184:1 · Kitzur Shulchan Aruch, trans. Rabbi Avrohom Davis, Metsudah Pub., 1996

הַשׁוֹאֵל אוֹ הַשּׂוֹכֵר בְּהֵמָה אוֹ מִטַּלְטְלִין מֵחֲבֵרוֹ, אֵינוֹ רַשַּׁאי, לֹא לְהַשְׁאִילָם וְלֹא לְהַשְׂכִּירָם לְאַחֵר שֶׁלֹּא מִדַּעַת בְּעָלִים. אֲפִלּוּ סְפָרִים שֶׁיֵשׁ מִצְוָה בְּהַשְׁאָלָתָן, אֵין אוֹמְרִים, מִן הַסְּתָם נִיחָא לַבְּעָלִים שֶׁתֵּעָשֶׂה מִצְוָה בְּמָמוֹנָם, כִּי שֶׁמָּא אֵין רְצוֹנָם שֶׁיְהֵא דָבָר שֶׁלָּהֶם בְּיַד אַחֵר שֶׁאֵינוֹ נֶאֱמָן בְּעֵינֵיהֶם. אֲבָל מֻתָּר לַשּׁוֹאֵל סֵפֶר לְהַנִּיחַ לְאַחֵר לִלְמֹד בּוֹ בְּתוֹךְ בֵּיתוֹ, וּבִלְבַד שֶׁלֹּא יִלְמַד, רַק יְחִידִי, וְלֹא שְׁנֵיהֶם בְּיָחַד. וְאִם יָדוּעַ שֶׁדַּרְכָּן שֶׁל הַבְּעָלִים לְהַאֲמִין לָזֶה הַשֵּׁנִי בִּדְבָרִים כָּאֵלּוּ, מֻתָּר הַשּׁוֹאֵל לְהַשְּׁאִיל לוֹ וְהַשּׂוֹכֵר לְהַשְּׂכִּיר לוֹ.

If you borrow or rent an animal or other articles from your neighbor, you are not permitted to lend them or rent them to another party without the consent of the owner. Even in the case of sacred books, the lending of which is a meritorious act, we do not assume that the owner would want to have a mitzvah done with his property, for it is possible he does not want his property in the possession of someone who may not be trustworthy in his eyes. However, if you borrow a book, you may allow someone else to study from it in your house, provided he studies from it alone and not two [of you] together. If it is known that the owner is accustomed to trust this other party in such matters, the borrower is permitted to lend it to him, and the renter is permitted to rent it to him.

Kitzur Shulchan Arukh 185:1 · Kitzur Shulchan Aruch, trans. Rabbi Avrohom Davis, Metsudah Pub., 1996

כָּל הַמּוֹנֵעַ אֶת הַבְּהֵמָה מִלֶּאֱכֹל בִּשְׁעַת מְלַאכְתָּהּ, לוֹקֶה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר, לֹא תַחְסֹם שׁוֹר בְּדִישׁוֹ. אֶחָד שׁוֹר וְאֶחָד כָּל מִינֵי בְהֵמָה וְחַיָה, בֵּין טְמֵאִים בֵּין טְהוֹרִים, וְאֶחָד הַדִּישָׁה וְאֶחָד כָּל שְׁאָר מְלָאכוֹת שֶׁל גִּדּוּלֵי קַרְקַע. וְלֹא נֶאֱמַר שׁוֹר בְּדִישׁוֹ, אֶלָא בַּהֹוֶה. וַאֲפִלּוּ חֲסָמָהּ בְּקוֹל, דְהַיְנוּ שֶׁצָּעַק עָלֶיהָ וְעַל יְדֵי זֶה לֹא תֹאכַל, חַיַב מַלְקוֹת.

Anyone who prevents an animal from eating while working is liable to be punished by flogging as it is said, "You shall not muzzle the ox when it is threshing." It is immaterial whether it is an ox, or any other animal or beast, whether unclean or clean, whether it is threshing or any other work concerned with produce of the ground. The Torah mentions the ox and threshing only because it speaks of the usual circumstance. Even if it is muzzled by voice, that is, it is shouted at, and is thus prevented from eating, it is punishable by flogging.

Kitzur Shulchan Arukh 186:1 · Kitzur Shulchan Aruch, trans. Rabbi Avrohom Davis, Metsudah Pub., 1996

הָרוֹאֶה אֲבֵדַת יִשְֹרָאֵל, חַיָב לִטַּפֵּל בָּהּ לַהֲשִׁיבָהּ לִבְעָלֶיהָ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר, הָשֵב תְּשִׁיבֵם. וְכֵן כָּל מָמוֹן שֶׁל חֲבֵרוֹ שֶׁאָדָם יָכוֹל לְהַצִּיל שֶׁלֹּא יֹּאבַד, חַיָב לְהַצִּיל, וְהוּא בִּכְלַל הֲשָׁבַת אֲבֵדָה.

If you see an article that was lost by a Jew, it is your duty to care for it, and return it to its owner, as it is said, "You shall surely return them." Similarly, any of your neighbor's property, that you are able to save from destruction, you are obliged to do so, for this is included in the mitzvah of returning a lost article.

Kitzur Shulchan Arukh 187:1 · Kitzur Shulchan Aruch, trans. Rabbi Avrohom Davis, Metsudah Pub., 1996

הַמַּפְקִיד מָעוֹת אֵצֶל חֲבֵרוֹ, עַתָּה בַּזְּמַן הַזֶּה שֶׁכָּל עֲסָקֵינוּ בְּמַשָּׂא וּמַתָּן וְהַכֹּל צְרִיכִין לְמָעוֹת, מִן הַסְּתָם נִתְרַצָּה הַמַּפְקִיד, שֶׁהַנִּפְקָד יוֹצִיאֵן כְּשֶׁיִצְטָרֵךְ. וְלָכֵן מֻתָּר לוֹ לְהוֹצִיאָן, וַהֲרֵי הֵן אֶצְלוֹ כְּמוֹ מִלְוֶה, אֶלָּא אִם כֵּן גִּלָּה הַמַּפְקִיד דַּעְתּוֹ שֶׁאֵין רְצוֹנוֹ בְּכָךְ, כְּגוֹן שֶׁחֲתָמָן אוֹ קְשָרָן בְּקֶשֶׁר מְשֻׁנֶּה, אָז אֵין הַנִּפְקָד רַשַּׁאי לְהוֹצִיאָן.

If you deposit money with your neighbor, since most of us are involved in business, and we always need money, it is assumed that you agree that the depositary may use that money if he needs it. Therefore, the despositary is permitted to use the money, and the money is considered by him as a loan, unless you indicate to him that you do not wish it to be used. For instance, if you put the money in a sealed package, or tied it up with a special knot, the depositary is not permitted to use it.

Kitzur Shulchan Arukh 188:1 · Kitzur Shulchan Aruch, trans. Rabbi Avrohom Davis, Metsudah Pub., 1996

מִי שֶׁפָּגַע בַּחֲבֵרוֹ בַּדֶּרֶךְ וּבְהֶמְתּוֹ רוֹבֶצֶת תַּחַת מַשָּׂאָהּ, בֵּין שֶׁהָיָה עָלֶיהָ מַשָּׂא הָרָאוּי לָהּ, בֵּין שֶׁהָיָה עָלֶיהָ יוֹתֵר מִמַּה שֶׁרָאוּי לָהּ, הֲרֵי זֶה מְצֻוֶה לְסַיְעוֹ לִפְרֹק מֵעָלֶיהָ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר, עָזֹב תַּעֲזֹב עִמּוֹ. וּלְאַחַר שֶׁפָּרַק, לֹא יַנִּיחַ אֶת חֲבֵרוֹ בְּצַעַר וְיֵלֵךְ לוֹ, אֶלָּא יַעֲזוֹר לוֹ לַחֲזוֹר וְלִטְעוֹן עָלֶיהָ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר, הָקֵם תָּקִים. וְאִם הִנִּיחַ אֶת חַבֵרוֹ וְלֹא פָרַק וְלֹא טָעַן, בִּטֵּל מִצְוַת עֲשֵׂה וְעָבַר עַל מִצְוַת לֹא תַעֲשֶׂה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר, לֹא תִרְאֶה אֶת חֲמוֹר אָחִיךָ וְגוֹ'.

If you meet your neighbor on the road and his animal is lying underneath its load, whether its burden was a proper load for it, or it was burdened with a load that was too heavy for it, it is a mitzvah to assist him to unload the burden, as it is said, "You shall surely help him." After you have helped unload the burden, you should not leave your neighbor in distress, and go on your way, but you should help him reload it, as it is said, "You shall surely help him lift it up again." If you leave your neighbor, and did not help him in unloading and loading, you have neglected to perform an affirmative command, and have transgressed a negative command, as it is said, "You shall not see the donkey of your neighbor [or his ox fallen down by the way and conceal yourself.]"

Kitzur Shulchan Arukh 189:1 · Kitzur Shulchan Aruch, trans. Rabbi Avrohom Davis, Metsudah Pub., 1996

מִצְוַת עֲשֵׂה לַעֲשׂוֹת מַעֲקֶה לְגַגּוֹ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר, וְעָשִׂיתָ מַּעֲקֶה לְגַגֶּךָ. גֹּבַהּ הַמַּעֲקֶה אֵינוֹ פָּחוֹת מֵעֲשָׂרָה טְפָחִים, וִיהֵא חָזָק כְּדֵי שֶׁיִשָׁעֵן אָדָם עָלָיו וְלֹא יִפּוֹל. גַגּוֹת שֶׁלָּנוּ שֶׁאֵין מִשְׁתַּמְשִׁין בָּהֶם, פְּטוּרִין. וְאָמְנָם לֹא הַגַּג בִּלְבַד חַיָב בַּמַּעֲקֶה, אֶלָּא כָּל דָּבָר שֶׁיֶשׁ בּוֹ סַכָּנָה, שֶׁיִכָּשֵל בּוֹ אָדָם וְיָמוּת, חַיָב בְּמַעֲקֶה וְתִקּוּן. וְכָל הַמַּנִּיחוֹ בְּלִי מַעֲקֶה, בִּטֵל מִצְוַת עֲשֵׂה וְעָבַר עַל לֹא תַעֲשֶׂה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר, וְלֹא תָשִׂים דָּמִים בְּבֵיתֶךָ. כְּגוֹן מִי שֶׁיֶשׁ לוֹ בּוֹר בְּתוֹךְ חֲצֵרוֹ, חַיָב לַעֲשֹוֹת לוֹ חֻלְיָא גְּבוֹהָה עֲשָׂרָה טְפָחִים אוֹ לַעֲשׂוֹת לוֹ כִּסּוּי שֶׁלֹא יִפּוֹל בּוֹ אָדָם.

It is an affirmative mitzvah to make a fence around the rooftop of your house, as it is said, "And you shall make a fence for your roof." The height of the fence must not be less than ten tefachim [high], and it should be so strong that if a man leans against it, it will not fall. The roofs of our houses, which we do not use, are exempt from this law. Indeed, not only rooftops require a fence, but any place where there is danger that a person could meet a fatal accident must have a fence and or other protection. Anyone who leaves it without a fence violates an affirmative precept and transgresses a negative precept, as it is said, "You shall not bring blood upon your house." For instance, if there is a hole (well) in your property, you are obligated to make a fence around it, [that is at least] ten tefachim high, or you must cover it so that no one will fall in to it.

Kitzur Shulchan Arukh 190:1 · Kitzur Shulchan Aruch, trans. Rabbi Avrohom Davis, Metsudah Pub., 1996

אָסוּר מִן הַתּוֹרָה לְצַעֵר כָּל בַּעַל חָי. וְאַדְּרַבָּא, חַיָב לְהַצִּיל כָּל בַּעַל חַי מִצַּעַר, אֲפִלּוּ שֶׁל הֶפְקֵר, וַאֲפִלּוּ שֶׁל נָכְרִי. אַךְ אִם הֵם מְצַעֲרִין לְאָדָם, אוֹ שֶׁצָּרִיךְ הָאָדָם לָהֶם לִרְפוּאָה אוֹ לִשְׁאָר דָּבָר, מֻתָּר אֲפִלּוּ לְהָרְגָן, וְאֵין חוֹשְׂשִׁין לְצְַעֲרָן, שֶׁהֲרֵי הַתּוֹרָה הִתִּירָה שְׁחִיטָה. וְלָכֵן מֻתָּר לִמְרֹט נוֹצוֹת מֵאַוָּזוֹת חַיּוֹת אִם אֵין לוֹ נוֹצָה אַחֶרֶת, רַק שֶׁהָעוֹלָם נִמְנָעִים מִשּׁוּם אַכְזְרִיוּת.

The Torah forbids us to inflict suffering on any living creature. On the contrary, it is an obligation to remove the suffering of any creature, even if it is ownerless, and even if it belongs to a non-Jew. However, if they are troublesome to mankind, or if they are needed for medical purposes, or for any other purpose, it is permitted even to kill them, and we disregard their pain; for the Torah permits us to slaughter them. Therefore, it is permitted to pluck feathers from living geese [to use as a quill], if you have no other feather [with which to write]. However, people abstain from doing so because of cruelty.

Kitzur Shulchan Arukh 191:1 · Kitzur Shulchan Aruch, trans. Rabbi Avrohom Davis, Metsudah Pub., 1996

אָמַר רַב יִצְחָק בְּרֵהּ דְּרַב יְהוּדָה, לְעוֹלָם יְבַקֵּשׁ אָדָם רַחֲמִים שֶׁלֹּא יֶחֱלֶה. שֶׁאִם חָלָה, אוֹמְרִים לוֹ, הָבֵא זְכוּת וְהִפָּטֵר. אָמַר מַר עֻקְבָא, מַאי קְרָאָהּ. כִּי יִפֹּל הַנּוֹפֵל מִמֶּנּוּ, מִמֶּנּוּ לְהָבִיא רְאָיָה. פֵּרוּשׁ, מֵאַחַר שֶׁהוּא נוֹפֵל, צָרִיךְ לִמְצוֹא מִמֶּנּוּ וּמִמַּעַשָיו רְאָיָה לִזְכוּת. עוֹד אִיתָא בַגְּמָרָא, חָשׁ בְּרֹאשּׁוֹ, יְהִי דוֹמֶה בְעֵינָיו כְּמִי שֶׁנְּתָנוּהוּ בְקוֹלָר. עָלָה לַמִּטָּה וְנָפַל לְמִשְּׁכָּב, יְהִי דוֹמֶה בְּעֵינָיו כְּמִי שֶהֶעֱלוּהוּ לְגַרְדּוֹם (מָקוֹם שֶׁדָּנִין דִּינֵי נְפָשׁוֹת) לִדוֹן, שֶכָּל הָעוֹלֶה לְגַרְדּוֹם לִדוֹן, אִם יֶשׁ לוֹ פְּרַקְלִיטִין גְּדוֹלִים, נִצּוֹל. וְאִם לָאו, אֵינוֹ נִצּוֹל. וְאֵלּוּ הֵן פְּרַקְלִיטִין שֶׁל אָדָם, תְּשׁוּבָה וּמַעֲשִׂים טוֹבִים. וַאֲפִלּוּ תְּשַׁע מֵאוֹת וְתִשְׁעִים וְתִשְׁעָה מְלַמְּדִים עָלָיו חוֹבָה, וְאֶחָד מְלַמֵּד עָלָיו זְכוּת, נִצּוֹל, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר, אִם יֵשׁ עָלָיו מַלְאָךְ מֵלִיץ אֶחָד מִנִּי אָלֶף לְהַגִּיד לְאָדָם יָשְׁרוֹ, וַיְחֻנֶּנּוּ וַיֹּאמֶר, פְּדָעֵהוּ מִרֶדֶת שַׁחַת וְגוֹ'.

Said Rav Yitzchok the son of Rav Yehudah, "One should always plead for mercy that he should not get sick, for if one falls sick, he is told, 'Demonstrate your merit and you will be acquitted.'" Said Mar Ukva, "From which verse in the Torah is this inferred?" From the verse, "Lest any man fall from (mimenu) there." From within himself (mimenu) he must produce evidence; which means, since he has fallen, he must produce from within himself and from his deeds, evidence of his merit." It is also stated in the Talmud, "If a person has a headache he should view it as if he were put in chains. If he becomes ill and is confined to bed, he should view it as if he were placed onto a scaffold, (a place where capital cases are tried) for trial. Anyone who is placed onto the scaffold for trial, if he has great advocates, may be saved. But if he has none, he cannot be saved. These are the advocates of man: repentance and good deeds. Even if nine hundred and ninety-nine accuse him, and only one advocate defends him, he is saved, as it is said, "If there be for him an angel, an advocate, [even] one among a thousand, to vouch for man's uprightness, then he is gracious unto him, and says, 'Redeem him from going down to the pit.'"

Kitzur Shulchan Arukh 192:1 · Kitzur Shulchan Aruch, trans. Rabbi Avrohom Davis, Metsudah Pub., 1996

כְּשֶׁחָלָה הָאָדָם, מִצְוָה עַל כָּל אָדָם לְבַקְרוֹ, שֶׁכֵּן מָצִינוּ בְּהַקָּדושׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא שֶׁמְּבַקֵּר חוֹלִים, כְּמוֹ שֶׁדָּרְשׁוּ רַבּוֹתֵינוּ, זִכְרוֹנָם לִבְרָכָה, בְּפָסוּק וַיֵרָא אֵלָיו ה' בְּאֵלוֹנֵי מַמְרֵא, מְלַמֵּד שֶׁבָּא אֵלָיו לְבַקֵּר הַחוֹלֶה. הַקְּרוֹבִים וְהַחֲבֵרִים שֶׁרְגִילִים לִכָּנֵס לְבֵיתוֹ תָמִיד, הֵמָה הוֹלְכִים לְבַקְּרוֹ מִיָד כְּשֶׁשָּׁמְעוּ שֶׁהוּא חוֹלֶה. אֲבָל הָרְחוֹקִים שֶׁאֵינָם רְגִילִים בְּבֵיתוֹ, לֹא יִכָּנְסוּ מִיָד, כִּי הֵיכִי דְלָא לִתְרַע מַזָּלֵהּ לְהַטִּיל עָלָיו שֵׁם חוֹלֶה. וְאֵינָם נִכְנָסִים עַד לְאַחַר שְׁלשָׁה יָמִים. וְאִם קָפַץ עָלָיו הַחוֹלִי, גַּם הָרְחוֹקִים נִכְנָסִים מִיָד. אֲפִלּוּ הַגָּדוֹל, יֵלֵךְ לְבַקֵּר אֶת הַקָּטָן, וַאֲפִלּוּ כַּמָּה פְעָמִים בַּיוֹם. וְכָל הַמּוֹסִיף, הֲרֵי זֶה מְשֻׁבָּח, וּבִלְבַד שֶׁלֹּא יִהְיֶה לָטֹרַח עַל הַחוֹלֶה. הַשּׂוֹנֵא לֹא יְבַקֵּר אֶת שׂוֹנְאוֹ הַחוֹלֶה, וְלֹא יְנַחֲמֶנּוּ כְּשֶׁהוּא אָבֵל, שֶלֹּא יַחְשׂב שֶׁשָּׂמֵחַ לְאֵידוֹ. אֲבָל מֻתָּר לְלַוּותוֹ, וְלֵיכָּא לְמֵיחַשׁ, שֶׁיֹּאמְרוּ כִּי הוּא שָׂמֵחַ לְאֵידוֹ, בַּאֲשֶׁר זֶהוּ סוֹף כָּל אָדָם. (עַיֵן לְקַמָּן סִימָן רז סָעִיף ב, דְּהַחוֹלֶה אֵינוֹ צָרִיךְ לַעֲמֹד אֲפִלּוּ מִפְּנֵי נָשִׂיא. וְאִם רוֹצֶה לַעֲמֹד, אֵין אוֹמְרִים לוֹ שֵׁב).

When a person is ill it is a mitzvah for everyone to visit him, for we find that the Holy One, Blessed is He, visits the sick, as our Sages of blessed memory, explained the verse, "And God appeared unto him [Abraham] in the plains of Mamre," teaching us that He came to visit Abraham when he was sick. Relatives and friends who are accustomed to visit him often, should go to visit him as soon as they hear of his illness. But casual acquaintances, who are not accustomed to visit him often, should not visit him immediately, so as not to deter his chances of recovery by labeling him as a sick person. They should therefore not visit Him until after three days. If, however, one becomes suddenly ill, even casual acquaintances should visit at once. Even a great man should visit a less important person, and even many times a day. The more often one visits, the more praiseworthy it is, providing it is not bothersome for the sick person. You should not visit your sick enemy, nor should you comfort him in his mourning, lest he think that you are rejoicing at his calamity. However, you may attend his funeral, for there is no concern that people will say that you are rejoicing at his downfall, since this is the end of every mortal. (In chapter 207:2 we learn that a sick person need not rise even before the Nasi, but if he wishes to stand we do not tell him to remain seated.)

Kitzur Shulchan Arukh 193:1 · Kitzur Shulchan Aruch, trans. Rabbi Avrohom Davis, Metsudah Pub., 1996

הַגּוֹסֵס (פֵּרוּשׁ, הַמַּעַלֶה לֵחָה בִּגְרוֹנוֹ מִפְּנֵי צָרוּת הֶחָזֶה, וְזֶה יִקְרֶה סָמוּךְ לַמִּיתָה, וּלְשׁוֹן גוֹסֵס הוּא מִלְּשׁוֹן מֵגִיס בִּקְדֵרָה, שֶׁהַלֵּחָה מִתְהַפֶּכֶת בִּגְרוֹנוֹ, כְּמוֹ הַמֵּגִיס בִּקְדֵרָה תוספת יום טוב, פרק א דערכין) הֲרֵי הוּא כְּחַי לְכָל דְבָרָיו. וְלָכֵן אָסוּר לִגַּע בּוֹ, שֶׁכָּל הַנּוֹגֵעַ בּוֹ, הֲרֵי זֶה שׁוֹפֵךְ דָמִים. לְמָה הַדָּבָר דּוֹמֶה. לְנֵּר מְטַפְטֵף, שֶׁכֵּיוָן שֶׁנּוֹגֵעַ בּוֹ אָדָם, מִיָד נִכְבֶּה. וְאַף עַל פִּי שֶׁהוּא גוֹסֵס זְמַן אָרֹךְ וְיֵשׁ צַעַר גָדוֹל לוֹ וְלִקְרוֹבָיו, מִכָּל מָקוֹם אָסוּר לִגְרֹם שֶׁיָמוּת מְהֵרָה, כְּגוֹן לְהַשְׁמִיט הַכַּר וְהַכֶּסֶת מִתַּחְתָּיו, מֵחֲמַת שֶׁאוֹמְרִים, שֶׁיֵשׁ נוֹצוֹת מִקְּצָת עוֹפוֹת שֶׁגּוֹרְמִים לְעַכֵּב אֶת הַמִּיתָה, אוֹ לָשׂוּם מַפְתְּחוֹת בֵּית הַכְּנֶסֶת תַּחַת רֹאשׁוֹ, כָּל זֶה אָסוּר. אֲבָל אִם יֵשׁ שָׁם דָּבָר שֶׁגּוֹרֵם עִכּוב יְצִיאַת הַנֶּפֶשׁ, כְּגוֹן קוֹל דוֹפֵק וְכַיּוֹצֵא בָזֶה, מֻתָּר לַהֲסִירוֹ, דְּאֵין בָּזֶה מַעֲשֶׂה, אֶלָּא שֶׁמֵּסִיר אֶת הַמּוֹנֵעַ וְאֵינוֹ נוֹגֵעַ בּוֹ.

A person who is very near death is considered as a living being in every respect. It is, therefore, forbidden to touch him, for anyone who touches him is considered like one who sheds blood. To what can this be compared? To a dripping [flickering] candle, which becomes extinguished as soon as someone touches it. Even if he is critical over a long period, and he and his family are in great agony, it is, nevertheless, forbidden to hasten his death in any way. [It is forbidden] for example to remove a feathered pillow from under him, because some people say that feathers of certain birds defer death, or for example to place the keys to the synagogue under his head; all these things are forbidden. However, if there is something which prevents the departure of the soul, such as a pounding noise or something similar, it is permitted to remove it since this is not a direct act, but merely the removal of the deterrent [to his death], without touching the dying person.

Kitzur Shulchan Arukh 194:1 · Kitzur Shulchan Aruch, trans. Rabbi Avrohom Davis, Metsudah Pub., 1996

מִי שֶׁמֵת לוֹ מֵת שֶׁהוּא חַיָב לְהִתְאַבֵּל עָלָיו (וְעַיֵּן לְקַמָּן סִימָן רג), חַיָּב לִקְרֹעַ עָלָיו. וְחַיָב לִקְרֹעַ מְעֻמָּד, שֶׁנֶאֱמַר, וַיָקָם הַמֶּלֶךְ וַיִקְרַע אֶת בְּגָדָיו. וְאִם קָרַע מְיֻשָּׁב, לֹא יָצָא, וְצָרִיךְ לַחֲזוֹר וְלִקְרֹעַ מְעֻמָד. לְכַתְּחִלָּה צָרִיךְ לִקְרֹעַ קֹדֶם שֶׁיִסָּתְמוּ פְּנֵי הַמֵּת בַּקֶּבֶר בְּעוֹד חִמּוּם צַעְרוֹ.

When a person suffers the loss [the death] of one for whom he is obligated to mourn, he must tear his garments because of it. He must tear his garments while standing, as it is said, "And the king arose and tore his garments." If he tore his garments while sitting, he has not fulfilled his obligation, and he must again tear his garments while standing. Initially he should tear them before the deceased is covered in the grave, when his sorrow is still intense.

Kitzur Shulchan Arukh 195:1 · Kitzur Shulchan Aruch, trans. Rabbi Avrohom Davis, Metsudah Pub., 1996

מִי שֶׁמֵּת לוֹ מֵת שֶׁהוּא חַיָב לְהִתְאַבֵּל עָלָיו, הֲרֵי זֶה אוֹנֵן עַד לְאַחַר הַקְּבוּרָה. לֹא יִנְהַג קַלּוּת רֹאשׁ, כְּדֵי שֶׁלֹּא יֹאמְרוּ עַל הַמֵּת, שֶׁהָיָה אָדָם קַל וְלָכֵן אֵין זֶה טָרוּד בִּקְבוּרָתוֹ וּבְאֶבְלוֹ וְאֵינוֹ חוֹשֵׁשׁ בְמִיתָתוֹ. וְזֶהוּ גְּנַאי גָּדוֹל לַמֵּת, וְהוּא בִּכְלַל לוֹעֵג לָרָשׁ, אֶלָּא יִתְרָאֶה לַכֹּל, שֶׁהוּא טָרוּד וְנִבְהָל עַל מִיתָתוֹ וּקְבוּרָתוֹ. לֹא יֹאכַל בַּחֶדֶר שֶׁהַמֵּת בּוֹ, אֶלָּא בְּחֶדֶר אַחֵר. וְאִם אֵין לוֹ חֶדֶר אַחֵר, יֹאכַל בְּבֵית חֲבֵרוֹ. וְאִם אֵין לוֹ בֵּית חָבֵר, יַעֲשֶׂה בִּפְנֵי הַמֵּת מְחִצָּה גְבֹהָה עֲשָׂרָה טְפָחִים, וְלֹא יְהֵא רֶוַח פָּתוּחַ תַּחְתֶּיהָ שְׁלֹשָׁה טְפָחִים, וּתְהֵא רְאוּיָה לַעֲמֹד בִּפְנֵי הָרוּחַ. וְאִם אֵין לוֹ דָבָר לַעֲשׂוֹת בּוֹ מְחִצָה, מַחֲזִיר פָּנָיו וְאוֹכֵל. בֵּין כָךְ וּבֵין כָּךְ, וַאֲפִלּוּ הוּא בְעִיר אַחֶרֶת, אֵינוֹ מֵסֵב וְאוֹכֵל דֶּרֶךְ קְבִיעוּת, אֶלָּא דֶרֶךְ אַרְעַי, וְאֵינוֹ אוֹכֵל בָּשָׂר וְאֵינוֹ שׁוֹתֶה יָיִן.

When a person suffers the loss [death] of a relative for whom he is obligated to observe the ritual mourning, he is considered an onein until after the burial. An onein must avoid [all kinds of] levity, lest his conduct lead people to say that the deceased was a worthless person, and therefore he is not bothered about his burial, and his mourning, and is not concerned about his death. This is a tremendous disgrace to the deceased, and such a person is included among those "Who ridicule the poor." Rather he should manifest to all that he is distressed and concerned about the deceased and his burial. He should not eat in the room where the deceased lies, but in another room. If there is no other room, he should eat in his neighbor's house. If he has no neighbor, he should put up a partition in front of the deceased, that is at least ten tefachem high, and the open space below [the partition] should be less than three tefachim. It should be strong enough to resist the wind. If he has no material with which to make a partition, he should turn his face aside and eat. Under all circumstances, and even if he happens to be in another city, he should not have an elaborate meal, but only a simple snack, and he must not eat meat or drink wine.

Kitzur Shulchan Arukh 196:1 · Kitzur Shulchan Aruch, trans. Rabbi Avrohom Davis, Metsudah Pub., 1996

נוֹהֲגִין לְהַדֵּר אַחַר בִּגְדֵי פִשְׁתָּן לְבָנִים לְתַכְרִיכִין, וְיִהְיוּ נָאִים, לְסִימָן שֶׁמּוֹדִים בִּתְחִיַת הַמֵּתִים, דְּאָמַר רַב חִיָא בַּר יוֹסֵף, עֲתִידִין הַצַּדִּיקִים שֶׁיַעַמְדוּ בִּלְבוּשֵׁיהֶן. אֲבָל לֹא יִהְיוּ חֲשׁוּבִים יוֹתֵר מִדַּי, כִי זֶה אָסוּר. אֵין לַעֲשׂוֹת בַּתַּכְרִיכִין לֹא אִמְרָא וְלֹא שׁוּם קֶשֶׁר, הֵן בְּחוּטִין שֶׁתּוֹפְרִין בָּהֶם, הֵן בִּלְבִישָׁה. קוֹבְרִין אֶת הָאִישׁ בְּטַלִית שֶׁיֶשׁ בָּהּ צִיצִית, אַךְ פּוֹסְלִין אֶחָת. וְהַיוֹתֵר נָכוֹן, שֶׁכְּשֶׁמֻנָּח בַּקֶּבֶר, אָז יַכְנִיסוּ צִיצָה בְּתוֹךְ הַכָּנָף. אִם הָיְתָה לוֹ טַלִּית נָאֶה שֶׁהִתְפַּלֵּל בָּהּ בְּחַיָיו, אֵינוֹ רָאוּי לְהַחֲלִיפָהּ לְאַחַר מוֹתוֹ בְּטַלִּית אַחֶרֶת שֶׁאֵינָהּ נָאֶה, כִּי נְיָחָ לוֹ לָאָדָם לְהִקָּבֵר בַּטַּלִית שֶׁהִתְפַּלֵּל בָּהּ בְּחַיָיו. כְּשֶׁמַּלְבִּישִׁין אֶת הַמֵּת, יְכַוְּנוּ שֶׁכְּשֵׁם שֶׁהֵם מַלְבִּישִׁים אֶת הַגּוּף, כָּךְ תִּתְלַבֵּשׁ נִשְׁמָתוֹ בְּמַלְבּוּשִׁים רוּחָנִיִים בְּגַן עֵדֶן.

It is a custom of respect to make garments of white linen for shrouds. They should be made nicely to indicate our belief in the resurrection of the dead, for Rav Chiya bar Yosef said, "The righteous will arise with their garments on them." However they should not be too elaborate, for that is forbidden. One should not make the shrouds with a hem, or a knot of any sort, either when sewing the shrouds or when dressing the deceased with them. A man should be buried in a tallis with tzitzis [fringes], but one [of the four tzitzis] should be invalidated. The better procedure however is to insert one of the tzitzis in a corner pocket of the tallis when the body is in the grave. If he had a beautiful tallis in which he prayed during his lifetime, it is not proper to exchange it after his death with a tallis that is not as beautiful, for a person is desirous of being buried in the tallis in which he prayed during his lifetime. When dressing the deceased, they should think: "Just as his body is being clothed, so may his soul be attired in spiritial garments in Gan Eiden."

Kitzur Shulchan Arukh 197:1 · Kitzur Shulchan Aruch, trans. Rabbi Avrohom Davis, Metsudah Pub., 1996

אִם יֵשׁ מֵת בָּעִיר, כָּל בְּנֵי הָעִיר אֲסוּרִין בִּמְלָאכָה. וְאִם יֵשׁ בָּעִיר מְמֻנִּים לְהִתְעַסֵּק בַּמֵּת, אֵלּוּ שֶׁאֵינָן צְרִיכִין לְהִתְעַסֵּק בּוֹ, מֻתָּרִין בִּמְלָאכָה.

If a death occurs in town all the inhabitants are forbidden to do work. If there are people in the town appointed to take care of the dead, those whose services are not required, are permitted to work.

Kitzur Shulchan Arukh 198:1 · Kitzur Shulchan Aruch, trans. Rabbi Avrohom Davis, Metsudah Pub., 1996

קְבוּרָה הָאֲמוּרָה בַּתּוֹרָה, הִיא שֶׁיִּתֵּן אֶת הַמֵּת בַּקַּרְקַע מַמָּשׁ. וּבְהַרְבֵּה מְקוֹמוֹת נוֹהֲגִין לְהַנִּיחַ אֶת הַמֵּת בְּאָרוֹן הֶעָשׂוּי מִנְּסָרִים וְכָךְ קוֹבְרִין אוֹתוֹ, דְּאִי אֶפְשָׁר שֶׁלֹּא יִהְיוּ נְקָבִים בְּאָרוֹן זֶה, וְסַגֵּי בְּהָכִי. וְיֵשׁ מְקוֹמוֹת שֶׁקּוֹבְרִין בְּלֹא אָרוֹן, אֶלָּא מַנִּיחִין אוֹתוֹ עַל הַקַּרְקַע מַמָּשׁ בְלֹא דַף תַּחְתָּיו, אֶלָּא מִן הַצְּדָדִין נוֹתְנִים שְׁנֵי דַפִּים, וְעַל אֵלּוּ נוֹתְנִים עוֹד דַּף אֶחָד, כְּדֵי שֶׁלֹּא יִפּוֹל הֶעָפָר עַל גּוּף הַמֵּת, שֶׁזֶּה בִזָּיוֹן לוֹ. וְיֵשׁ עוֹד מְקוֹמוֹת שֶׁקּוֹבְרִין שְׁאָר מֵתִים כָּךְ בְּלֹא אָרוֹן, וְרַק לְכֹהֲנִים וּבְכוֹרִים שֶׁהֵם חֲשׁוּבִים, עוֹשִׂים אָרוֹן. כְּשֶׁעוֹשִׂין אָרוֹן, יֵשׁ לִזָּהֵר בְּשִׁיּוּרֵי הַנְּסָרִים, שֶׁלֹּא לַעֲשֹוֹת מֵהֶם אֵיזֶה תַשְׁמִישׁ, וְיֵשׁ לְהַסִּיק בָּהֶן תַּחַת הַכְּלִי שֶׁמְּחַמְּמִים אֶת הַמַּיִם לְטָהֳרָה. טוֹבֵי לֵבָב שֶׁהֶאֱכִילוּ עֲנִיִים עַל שֻׁלְחָנָם, יֵש לַעֲשוֹת לָהֶם אָרוֹן מִן הַשֻׁלְחָן, כְּמוֹ שֶׁכָּתוּב, וְהָלַךְ לְפָנֶיךָ צִדְקֶךָ.

The burial mentioned in the Torah, means actually placing the body in the earth. In many places it is customary to place the deceased in a wooden coffin, and he is buried in that manner. Since it is impossible that such a coffin is without holes [at the bottom], it is sufficient to bury him is such a way. In some places the body is buried without a coffin, rather it is placed actually on the earth, without a board underneath, but with one board placed on each side, and one more board on top of them to prevent any dirt from falling upon the body, which would be a dishonor to him. In other communities, ordinary men are buried without a coffin, and only for kohanim and firstborn males, who are of special importance, are coffins made. When making a coffin, care must be taken that the remnants of the boards not be used for any other purpose. They should be burned for fuel to heat the cauldron in which water is warmed for the ritual purification of the deceased. Benevolent people, who in their lifetime fed the poor at their table, should be buried in a coffin made of boards from the table, as it is written, "And your righteousness shall go before you."

Kitzur Shulchan Arukh 199:1 · Kitzur Shulchan Aruch, trans. Rabbi Avrohom Davis, Metsudah Pub., 1996

מֵת הַמֻטָּל לְקָבְרוֹ בְּיוֹם טוֹב, בַּיּוֹם הָרִאשׁוֹן לֹא יִתְעַסְּקוּ בוֹ יִשְֹרָאֵל. אֲפִלּוּ אִם אִי אֶפְשָׁר לְקָבְרוֹ עַל יְדֵי גוֹיִם וְיֵשׁ חֲשָׁשׁ שֶׁמָּא יַסְרִיחַ עַד לְמָחָר, מִכָּל מָקוֹם לֹא יִקְבְּרוּהוּ יִשְֹרָאֵל בַּיּוֹם הָרִאשׁוֹן. אַךְ אִם אֶפְשָׁר, לְקָבְרוֹ עַל יְדֵי גוֹיִם, דְּהַיְנוּ שֶׁהַגּוֹיִם יַעֲשׂוּ אֶת הַקֶּבֶר וְיַחְתְּכו אֶת הַדַּפִּין שֶׁל עֵץ, אוֹ יַעֲשׂוּ אָרוֹן בְּמָקוֹם שֶׁנָּהֲגוּ, וְגַם יִתְפְּרו אֶת הַתַּכְרִיכִין אִם צְרִיכִין. אֲבָל לְהַלְבִּישׁוֹ וּלְחַמֵּם מַיִם וּלְטַהֲרוֹ ולְהוֹצִיאוֹ ולְשׂוּמוֹ בַקֶּבֶר, מֻתָּר עַל יְדֵי יִשְֹרָאֵל. וְהַכִּסּוּי בֶּעָפָר, יַעֲשׂו גַם כֵּן עַל יְדֵי גוֹיִם, וְאִם אֶפְשָׁר, יֵשׁ לִזָּהֵר לְטַהֲרוֹ בְּלֹא בֶגֶד, שֶׁלֹּא יָבוֹאוּ לִידֵי סְחִיטָה.

If the deceased awaits burial on the first day of (Yom Tov,) a Jew is not allowed to bury him. Even if it is impossible to have it done by non-Jews, and there is concern that decay might set in before the next day, nevertheless, a Jew may not bury him on the first day of Yom Tov. But if it is possible to have non-Jews bury him, that is to have non-Jews dig the grave, and cut the wooden planks, or make the coffin, where it is customary, and sew the shrouds if necessary; then dressing him, heating the water, washing him, removing him, and placing him into the grave, are permitted to be done by a Jew. Covering him with earth must also be done only by non-Jews. If possible, care should be taken to cleanse and purify him without using a cloth, in order not to wring out the water.

Kitzur Shulchan Arukh 200:1 · Kitzur Shulchan Aruch, trans. Rabbi Avrohom Davis, Metsudah Pub., 1996

הַמְאַבֵּד עַצְמוֹ לָדַעַת, הוּא רָשָׁע שֶׁאֵין לְמַעְלָה מִמֶּנּוּ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר, וְאַךְ אֶת דִּמְכֶם לְנַפְשׁוֹתֵיכֶם אֶדְרשׁ. וּבִשְׁבִיל יָחִיד, נִבְרָא הָעוֹלָם. וְכָל הַמְאַבֵּד נֶפֶשׁ אַחַת מִיִשְֹרָאֵל, מְאַבֵּד עוֹלָם מָלֵא. וְלָכֵן אֵין מִתְעַסְּקִין עִמּוֹ לְכָל דָּבָר. לֹא קוֹרְעִין וְלֹא מִתְאַבְלִין עָלָיו, וְאֵין מַסְפִּידִין אוֹתוֹ. אֲבָל קוֹבְרִין אוֹתוֹ, וּמְטַהֲרִין אוֹתוֹ, וּמַלְבִּישִׁין אוֹתוֹ תַּכְרִיכִין. כְּלָלוֹ שֶׁל דָּבָר, כֹּל שֶׁהוּא מִשּׁוּם כְּבוֹד הַחַיִּים עושִׁין לוֹ. (וּלְעִנְיַן אֲמִירַת קַדִישׁ, עַיֵן בַּחֲתַם סוֹפֵר יוֹרֶה דֵעָה סִימָן שכו, וְאִמְרֵי אֵשׁ סִימָן קכב. וְעַיֵּן תְּשׁוּבוֹת רד"ך בַּיִת ל).

A person who commits suicide is unsurpassed in wickedness, as it is said, "However of the blood of your souls, I will demand an account." The world was created for a single person, (to indicate that) anyone who destroys one Jewish life is considered to have destroyed a whole world. He should, therefore, not be attended in any way. Garments should not be torn for him, he should not be mourned, nor should he be eulogized. However, he should be buried, ritually purified and dressed in shrouds. The rule is: anything that is done out of respect to the living, should be done for him.

Kitzur Shulchan Arukh 201:1 · Kitzur Shulchan Aruch, trans. Rabbi Avrohom Davis, Metsudah Pub., 1996

הַכֹּהֵן מֻזְהָר שֶׁלֹא לְטַּמֵּא לְמֵת. וַאֲפִלּוּ נֵפֶל שֶׁעֲדַיִן לֹא נִתְקַשְּׁרוּ אֵבָרָיו בְּגִידִין, חָשׁוּב מֵת. (אֵךְ אִם הִפִּילָה תּוֹךְ אַרְבָּעִים יוֹם, לָא חָשִׁיב אֶלָּא כְּמַיָא בְעָלְמָא). וְלָאו דַּוְקָא לְמֵת שָׁלֵם, אֶלָּא אֲפִלּוּ לִדְבָרִים שֶׁנִּפְרָשִׁים מִמֶּנוּ, כְּמוֹ דָם וְכַדּוֹמֶה. וְכֵן אָסוּר לִטַמֵּא לְאֵבֶר מִן הַחַי, אִם יֵשׁ עָלָיו בָּשָׂר כָּל כָּךְ, שֶׁאִם הָיָה מְחֻבָּר, הָיָה רָאוּי לְהַעֲלוֹת אֲרוּכָה. וַאֲפִלּוּ לְאֵבֶר שֶׁל עַצְמוֹ, אָסוּר לוֹ לִטַּמֵּא. וְאָסוּר לְכֹהֵן לִכָּנֵס לְבַיִת שֶׁיֵשׁ שָׁם גּוֹסֵס. וְאַף עַל פִּי שֶׁהַגּוֹסֵס הֲרֵי הוּא כְחַי לְכָל דָּבָר וְאֵינוֹ מְטַמֵּא. מִכָּל מָקוֹם עוֹבֵר הַכֹּהֵן עַל לֹא יְחַלֵּל, שֶׁהוּא מֻזְהָר שֶׁיִשְׁמֹר כְּהֻנָּתוֹ שֶׁלֹּא תִתְחַלֵּל, וְשֶׁמָּא יָמוּת זֶה תֵּכֶף.

The Kohein is commanded not to defile himself through any form of contact with the deceased. Even an abortive fetus, whose limbs have not yet been connected with ligamentous tissue, is considered in this regard as a dead body. (If, however, the abortion occurred within forty days from conception, it is considered like water). The dead body need not be in its entirety, for this law applies even to things that have separated from the corpse such as blood and the like. He is also forbidden to defile himself through contact with the severed limb of a living person, if there is enough flesh on it that were it still connected, it would have possibly healed. Even if it is his own limb, he is forbidden to defile himself by touching it. A Kohein is forbidden to enter a house where a person is close to death, and even though a gosseis (dying person) is considered alive with regard to everything else, and he is not considered impure, nevertheless, the Kohein [by entering such a house] violates the command, "You shall not desecrate," for he is commanded to guard his priesthood so that it does not become profaned, and the gosseis may die at any moment.

Kitzur Shulchan Arukh 202:1 · Kitzur Shulchan Aruch, trans. Rabbi Avrohom Davis, Metsudah Pub., 1996

עַל שִׁבְעָה קְרוֹבִים חַיָבִים לְהִתְאַבֵּל, אָבִיו וְאִמּוֹ, בְּנוֹ וּבִתּוֹ, אָחִיו וַאֲחוֹתוֹ בֵּין מִן הָאָב בֵּין מִן הָאֵם, וַאֲפִלּוּ הָיְתָה אֲחוֹתוֹ נְשׂוּאָה לְאִישׁ; הָאִישׁ עַל אִשְׁתּוֹ, וְהָאִשָׁה עַל בַּעְלָהּ.

One is obligated to mourn for seven relatives: his father and mother, his son and daughter, his brother and sister, whether from a common father or mother, and even a married sister, a husband for his wife, and a wife for her husband.

Kitzur Shulchan Arukh 203:1 · Kitzur Shulchan Aruch, trans. Rabbi Avrohom Davis, Metsudah Pub., 1996

מִשֶּׁנִּקְבַּר הַמֵּת וְנִגְמְרָה סְתִימַת הַקֶבֶר בֶּעָפָר, מִיָד מַתְחִילָה הָאֲבֵלוּת, וְחוֹלֵץ הַמִּנְעָלִים שָׁם בְּבֵית הַקְּבָרוֹת. וְאִם צָרִיךְ לֵילֵךְ לְבֵיתוֹ בֵּין שְׁכוּנַת גּוֹים, יָכוֹל לְנָעֳלָם, אֶלָּא שֶׁיִּתֵּן בָּהֶם קְצָת עָפָר (כְּדִלְקַמָּן סִימָן רט סָעִיף ז).

The mourning period begins from the time the deceased is buried, and the grave is filled with earth. The mourner must remove his shoes at the cemetery. If he has to walk home through a non-Jewish neighborhood, he may wear his shoes, but should place a little earth in them.

Kitzur Shulchan Arukh 204:1 · Kitzur Shulchan Aruch, trans. Rabbi Avrohom Davis, Metsudah Pub., 1996

הָאָבֵל, בַּיּוֹם הָרִאשׁוֹן, אָסוּר לוֹ לֶאֱכוֹל סְעוּדָה הָרִאשׁוֹנָה מִשֶּׁלּוֹ. וּמִצְוָה עַל שְׁכֵנָיו שֶׁיִשְׁלְחוּ לוֹ לִסְעוּדָה הָרִאשׁוֹנָה, וְנִקְרֵאת סְעוּדַת הַבְרָאָה. וּתְחִלַּת הַסְּעוּדָה, תְּהֵא בְבֵצִים אוֹ עֲדָשִׁים שֶׁהֵן עֲגֻלּוֹת וְאֵין לָהֶן פֶּה, כְּמוֹ שֶׁהָאָבֵל אֵין לוֹ פֶּה. וְאַחַר זֹאת, מֻתָּר לוֹ לֶאֱכוֹל כָּל מַאֲכָל וַאֲפִלּוּ בָשָׂר. וּמֻתָּר לִשְׁתּוֹת קְצָת יַיִן בְּתוֹךְ הַסְּעוּדָה כְּדֵי לִשְׁרוֹת הַמַּאֲכָל בְּמֵעָיו, אֲבָל לֹא לִרְוֹת. (יֵשׁ אוֹמְרִים, דְּכָל הַיּוֹם הַרִאשׁוֹן, אָסוּר לוֹ לֶאֱכוֹל מִשֶּׁלּוֹ, אֲפִלּוּ אוֹכֵל כַּמָה פְעָמִים בַּיּוֹם).

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, for they are round and have no mouth, just as the mourner has no mouth (speech). After this course he may eat all foods, even meat. He is permitted to drink a little wine during the meal, in order to help digest the food in his stomach, but not enough to satisfy his desire. (Some Poskeim maintain that he is forbidden to eat of his own food the entire first day, even if he eats many meals on that day).

Kitzur Shulchan Arukh 205:1 · Kitzur Shulchan Aruch, trans. Rabbi Avrohom Davis, Metsudah Pub., 1996

מִי שֶׁבָּאָה לוֹ שְׁמוּעָה שֶׁמֵּת לוֹ קָרוֹב שֶׁהוּא חַיָב לִהְתְאַבֵּל עָלָיו, אִם בָּאָה לוֹ בְּתוֹךְ שְׁלֹשִׁים וַאֲפִלּוּ בַּיוֹם הַשְׁלשִׁים עַצְמוֹ, הֲרֵי זוֹ שְׁמוּעָה קְרוֹבָה, וְקוֹרֵעַ. וְחַיָב לִנְהוֹג שִׁבְעָה יְמֵי אֲבֵלוּת מִיּוֹם שֶׁהִגִּיעָה לוֹ הַשְּׁמוּעָה. וְגַם אֲבֵלּוּת שֶׁנּוֹהֵג בַּשְּׁלשִׁים, מוֹנֶה מִיּוֹם הַשְּׁמוּעָה. וְיוֹם הַשְּׁמוּעָה, דִּינוֹ כְּיוֹם הַקְּבוּרָה לְכָל דָּבָר. וְאוֹתָן שְׁלֹשִׁים יוֹם שֶׁנִּקְרְאָה בָהֶן שְׁמוּעָה קְרוֹבָה, מוֹנֶה מִיּוֹם הַקְּבוּרָה וְלֹא מִיּוֹם הַמִּיתָה.

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 of mourning from the day he received the news. The thirty days of mourning are also counted from the day he received the news. And the day he received the news is like the day of burial with regard to all its laws. The thirty-day period during which the news is considered timely is counted from the day of burial, and not from the day of death.

Kitzur Shulchan Arukh 206:1 · Kitzur Shulchan Aruch, trans. Rabbi Avrohom Davis, Metsudah Pub., 1996

מִצְוָה גְדוֹלָה לְנַחֵם אֲבֵלִים. וּמָצִינוּ בְהַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא שֶנִּחֵם אֲבֵלִים, דִּכְתִיב, וַיְהִי אַחֲרֵי מוֹת אַבְרָהָם, וַיְבָרֶךְ אֱלֹהִים אֶת יִצְחָק בְּנוֹ. וְהוּא גְמִילוּת חֶסֶד עִם הַחַיִּים וְעִם הַמֵּתִים (וְעַיֵּן לְעֵיל סִימָן קצג סָעִיף יא). אֵין הַמְנַחֲמִים רַשָּׁאִים לִפְתּוֹחַ פִּיהֶם עַד שֶׁיִפְתַּח הָאָבֵל תְּחִלָּה, כִּדְמָצִינוּ בְאִיּוֹב, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר, וְאֵין דֹּבֵר אֵלָיו דָּבָר. וּכְתִיב, אַחֲרֵי כֵן פָּתַח אִיּוֹב אֶת פִּיהוּ, וַהֲדָר, וַיַעַן אֱלִיפַז הַתֵּמָנִי. כְּשֶׁרוֹאִים הַמְנַחֲמִים שֶׁהָאָבֵל פּוֹטֵר אוֹתָם, אֵינָן רַשָׁאִים לֵישֵׁב אֶצְלוֹ.

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," Yitchak, This is an act of kindness to the living as well as to the deceased. The comforters are not allowed to speak before the mourner begins to speak, as it is said concerning Job, "And none spoke a word to him;" and it is written, "And after this Job opened his mouth;" and later it is written "Eliphaz Hateimani answered." If the comforters perceive that the mourner wishes them to leave, they are not allowed to remain there.

Kitzur Shulchan Arukh 207:1 · Kitzur Shulchan Aruch, trans. Rabbi Avrohom Davis, Metsudah Pub., 1996

אֵלוּ דְבָרִים שֶׁהָאָבֵל אָסוּר בָּהֶם כָּל שִׁבְעָה: בִּמְלָאכָה, בִּרְחִיצָה, בְּסִיכָה, בִּנְעִילַת הַסַּנְדָּל, וּבְתַשְׁמִישׁ הַמִּטָה. וְאָסוּר לִקְרוֹת בַּתּוֹרָה, וְאָסוּר בִּשְׁאֵילַת שָׁלוֹם, וְאָסוּר בְּגִהוּץ וּבְתִסְפֹּרֶת וּבְכָל מִינֵי שִׂמְחָה. וְאָסוּר לְהַנִיחַ תְּפִלִּין בַּיּוֹם הָרִאשׁוֹן.

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 wear a pressed garment, cut his hair, or be present at any festivity. He is also forbidden to put on Tefillin the first day.

Kitzur Shulchan Arukh 208:1 · Kitzur Shulchan Aruch, trans. Rabbi Avrohom Davis, Metsudah Pub., 1996

אָסוּר לִרְחוֹץ כָּל גוּפוֹ אֲפִלּוּ בְצוֹנֵן. אֲבָל פָּנָיו יָדָיו וְרַגְלָיו, בְּחַמִּין אָסוּר וּבְצוֹנֵן מֻתָּר. וּרְחִיצָה בְחַמִּין, אֲסוּרָה כָּל שְׁלֹשִׁים, וַאֲפִלּוּ לָחֹף הָרֹאשׁ. וְגַם רְחִיצַת כָּל הַגּוּף בְּצוֹנֵן אִם הִיא לְתַעֲנוּג, אֲסוּרָה כָּל שְׁלֹשִׁים. וְאִשָּׁה לְצֹרֶךְ חֲפִיפָה שֶׁקֹּדֶם טְבִילָה, מֻתֶּרֶת לִרְחוֹץ בְחַמִּין לְאַחַר שִׁבְעָה. (וּלְעִנְיַן לְבִישַׁת לְבָנִים, עַיֵן לְעֵיל סִימָן קנט סָעִיף ה)

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 thirty day mourning period, and even washing the head with warm water is forbidden. Similarly, bathing the entire body with cold water, if done for pleasure, is forbidden the entire thirty days. A woman, for the necessity of bathing before the ritual immersion, is permitted to bathe in warm water after the seven days of mourning have passed. With regard to wearing clean white garments, refer to Chapter 159:5.

Kitzur Shulchan Arukh 209:1 · Kitzur Shulchan Aruch, trans. Rabbi Avrohom Davis, Metsudah Pub., 1996

אָסוּר בְּתַלְמוּד תּוֹרָה, מִשּׁוּם דִּכְתִיב פִּקּוּדֵי ה' יְשָׁרִים מְשַׂמְּחֵי לֵב, וְאָבֵל אָסוּר בְּשִׂמְחָה. וְאָסוּר בַּתּוֹרָה, נְבִיאִים וּכְתוּבִים, מִשְׁנָה, תַּלְמוּד, הֲלָכוֹת וְאַגָּדוֹת. אֲבָל מֻתָּר לִקְרוֹת בְּאִיּוֹב וּבְקִינוֹת, וּבִדְבָרִים הָרָעִים שֶׁבְּסֵפֶר יִרְמְיָה, וּבִגְמָרָא פֶּרֶק אֵלּוּ מְגַלְּחִין, דְּמַיְרִי מִדִינֵי מְנֻדֶּה וְאָבֵל, וּבְמַסֶּכֶת שְׂמָחוֹת. וּבְסִפְרֵי פּוֹסְקִים, מֻתָּר לִלְמוֹד הִלְכוֹת אֲבֵלוּת. וְגַם בִּדְבָרִים שֶׁהוּא מֻתָּר לִלְמוֹד, אָסוּר לְעַיֵן קֻשְיָא אוֹ תֵרוּץ.

A mourner is forbidden to study Torah, for it is written, "The precepts of Adonoy, are upright, rejoicing the heart." and a mourner is forbidden to rejoice. He is forbidden to study the Scriptures, the Mishnah, and the Talmud, including the laws and Aggadah. But he is permitted to read the book of Job, Lamentations, and the mournful sections of Jeremiah. In the Talmud, he may study chapter, V'eelu Megalchin, dealing with the laws of the excommunicated and the mourner, and also Maseches Semachos. And in the Seforim (books) of Halachah (laws), he may study the laws concerning mourning. However, he is forbidden to probe and analyze even the subjects he is permitted to study.

Kitzur Shulchan Arukh 210:1 · Kitzur Shulchan Aruch, trans. Rabbi Avrohom Davis, Metsudah Pub., 1996

אָסוּר לֵישֵׁב כָּל שִׁבְעָה עַל גַּבֵּי סַפְסָל אוֹ עַל גַּבֵּי כָרִים וּכְסָתוֹת, כִּי אִם עַל גַּבֵּי קַרְקַע. אַךְ חוֹלֶה וְזָקֵן שֶׁיֵשׁ לָהֶם צַעַר בִּישִׁיבָה עַל גַּבֵּי קַרְקַע, מֻתָּרִין לָשִׂים כַּר קָטֹן תַּחְתֵּיהֶם. מִיהוּ יָכוֹל לֵילֵךְ וְלַעֲמוֹד וְאֵינוֹ צָרִיךְ לֵישֵׁב כְּלָל, רַק כְּשֶׁהַמְנַחֲמִים אֶצְלוֹ צָרִיךְ לֵישֵׁב. וְכֵן אָסוּר לִישׁוֹן עַל גַּבֵּי מִטָּה אוֹ סַפְסָל, רַק עַל גַּבֵּי קַרְקַע. אֲבָל יָכוֹל לְהַצִּיעַ תַּחְתָּיו כָּרִים וּכְסָתוֹת עַל הַקַּרְקַע כְּמוֹ שֶׁהוּא רָגִיל לִשְׁכַּב בַּמִּטָּה (תְּשׁוּבָה מֵאַהֲבָה בְּשֵׁם הַגָּאוֹן בַּעַל נוֹדָע בִּיהוּדָה). וְיֵש מַתִּירִין לִישׁוֹן בַמִּטָּה. וְכֵן נוֹהֲגִין קְצָת, מִפְּנֵי שֶׁטִּבְעָם חָלוּשׁ וְהַוְיָן כְּמוֹ חוֹלִים לְעִנְיָן זֶה.

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. However, the mourner may walk or stand, and is not compelled to sit down at all. Only in the presence of the consolers is he required to be seated. He is also forbidden to sleep in a bed or on a bench; he must sleep on the floor. But he may spread pillows and cushions on the floor as he usually does in his bed. Some Poskim permit him to sleep in a bed. And some are accustomed to do so because they have frail constitutions, and are considered ill in this regard.

Kitzur Shulchan Arukh 211:1 · Kitzur Shulchan Aruch, trans. Rabbi Avrohom Davis, Metsudah Pub., 1996

אָסוּר לֶאֱכוֹל בִּסְעוּדַת בְּרִית מִילָה אוֹ פִּדְיוֹן הַבֵּן וְסִיוּם מַסֶּכְתָּא וְכָל שֶׁכֵּן בִּסְעוּדַת נִשׂוּאִין כָּל שְׁלֹשִׁים עַל שְׁאָר קְרוֹבָיו, וְכָל שְׁנֵים עָשָׂר חֹדֶשׁ עַל אָבִיו וְאִמּוֹ (וַאֲפִלּוּ בְּשָׁנָה מְעֻבֶּרֶת, סָגֵי בִּשְׁנֵים עָשָׂר חֹדֶשׁ). וּבְתוֹךְ בֵּיתוֹ, אִם יֵשׁ סְעוּדַת מִצְוָה, מֻתָּר לוֹ לֶאֱכוֹל. אַךְ בִּסְעוּדַת נִשּׂוּאִין, יֵש לְהַחְמִיר אֲפִלּוּ בְּתוֹךְ בֵּיתוֹ, אִם לֹא כְּשֶׁהוּא מַשִּׂיא יָתוֹם אוֹ יְתוֹמָה, שֶׁאִם לֹא יֹאכַל שָׁם, יִתְבַּטֵּל הַמַּעֲשֶׂה, אָז מֻתָּר לוֹ לֶאֱכוֹל אֲפִלּוּ אֵינָהּ בְּבֵיתוֹ. וְגַם לִלְבּוֹשׁ בִּגְדֵי שַׁבָּת לְאַחַר שְׁלֹשִׁים וַאֲפִלּוּ עַל אָבִיו וְאִמּוֹ, וְלִשְׁאָר קְרוֹבִים גַּם תּוֹךְ שְׁלֹשִׁים.

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 of mourning for his father or mother. (Even during a leap-year, twelve months are sufficient). However, in his own house, when there is a feast in honor of a mitzvah, he is permitted to participate. However with regard to a wedding feast. he should be strict [and abstain] even though it is celebrated at his own house, unless it is a wedding in which he is giving an orphaned groom or bride to marriage, and his lack of participation may cause the match to break off. In that case, he is permitted to eat even if the feast is held in another house. He may then also wear his Shabbos clothing after thirty days of mourning for his father or mother, or within thirty days of mourning for other relatives.

Kitzur Shulchan Arukh 212:1 · Kitzur Shulchan Aruch, trans. Rabbi Avrohom Davis, Metsudah Pub., 1996

כָּל שְׁלֹשִׁים, אָסוּר לִשָׂא אִשָּׁה. וְכֵן אִשָּׁה שֶׁהִיא אֲבֵלָה, אֲסוּרָה שֶׁתִּנָשֵׂא עַד לְאַחַר שְׁלֹשִׁים. וּלְאַחַר שְׁלֹשִׁים, מֻתָּרִין אֲפִלּוּ עַל אָב וָאֵם. אֲבָל לְהִתְקַשֵּׁר בְּשִׁדּוּכִין וּבְלֹא סְעוּדָה, מֻתָּר אֲפִלּוּ תּוֹךְ שִׁבְעָה.

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 for a parent. However, an engagement without a feast, is permitted even during the first seven days of mourning.

Kitzur Shulchan Arukh 213:1 · Kitzur Shulchan Aruch, trans. Rabbi Avrohom Davis, Metsudah Pub., 1996

כָּל שִׁבְעָה, אֵינוֹ יוֹצֵא מִבֵּיתוֹ. אַךְ אִם מֵת לוֹ מֵת, אוֹ אֲפִלּוּ אֵצֶל אַחֵר, אֶלָּא שֶׁאֵין שָׁם כְּדֵי מִטָּה וְקוֹבְרֶיהָ, יוֹצֵא אֲפִלּוּ בַּיּוֹם הָרִאשׁוֹן. אִם שָׁלַח הַמּוֹשֵׁל לִקְרוֹא לוֹ, אוֹ שֶׁצָּרִיךְ לָלֶכֶת לִשְׁאָר דָּבָר שֶׁצָּרִיךְ לוֹ הַרְבֵּה, כְּגוֹן דָּבָר הָאָבֵד, מֻתָּר לוֹ לָצֵאת, וְיִתֵּן עָפָר בְּמִנְעָלָיו.

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 on the first day of mourning. If he is summoned by the authorities, or if he must attend to something very urgent to him as otherwise he will sustain a great loss, he is permitted to leave his house, but he should put some earth in his shoes.

Kitzur Shulchan Arukh 214:1 · Kitzur Shulchan Aruch, trans. Rabbi Avrohom Davis, Metsudah Pub., 1996

אֵין מִתְקַשִּׁין עַל הַמֵּת יוֹתֵר מִדָּי, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר, אַל תִּבְכּוּ לְמֵת וְאַל תָּנוּדוּ לוֹ. וְאָמְרוּ חֲכָמֵינוּ, זִכְרוֹנָם לִבְרָכָה, וְכִי אֶפְשָׁר לוֹמַר כֵּן. אֶלָּא עַל תִּבְכּוּ לְמֵת יוֹתֵר מִדָּי, וְאַל תָּנוּדוּ לוֹ יוֹתֵר מִכְּשִׁעוּר. הָא כֵּיצַד. שְׁלֹשָׁה יָמִים לְבֶכִי, שִׁבְעָה לְהֶסְפֵּד, וּשְׁלשִׁים לְגִהוּץ וּלְתִסְפֹּרֶת (וְכִמְבֹאָר לְעֵיל). מִכָּאן וְאֵילָךְ, אָמַר הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא, אִי אַתֶּם רַשָּׁאִים לְרַחֵם עָלָיו יוֹתֵר מִמֶּנִּי. וְאָמְרוּ חֲכָמֵינוּ, זכְרוֹנָם לִבְרָכָה, כָּל הַמִּתְקַשֶּׁה עַל הַמֵּת יוֹתֵר מִדָּי, עַל מֵת אַחֵר הוּא בוֹכֶה. בַּמֶּה דְבָרִים אֲמּוּרִים, בִּשְׁאָר הָעָם. אֲבָל תַּלְמִיד חָכָם, הַכֹּל לְפִי חָכְמָתוֹ. וּמִכָּל מָקוֹם, אֵין בּוֹכִין עָלָיו יוֹתֵר מִשְּׁלשִׁים יוֹם, דְּלָא עָדִיף מִמּשֶׁה רַבֵּנוּ, עָלָיו הַשָּׁלוֹם, דִּכְתִיב בּוֹ, וַיִבְכּוּ בְנֵי יִשְֹרָאֵל אֶת משֶׁה וְגוֹ'. שְׁלֹשִׁים יוֹם.

It is forbidden to grieve excessively over the dead, as it is said, "Do not weep for the dead, and do not bemoan him." Our Sages of blessed memory, said, "Is it possible to say so? But it means, "Do not weep for the dead excessively, and do not bemoan him inordinately." How should one mourn? Three days are appropriate for weeping, seven days for mourning, and thirty days for abstaining from wearing ironed clothes, and from having the hair cut. Thereafter the Holy One, blessed is He, says, "You are not permitted to show him more compassion than I do." Our Sages, of blessed memory, said, "One who grieves excessively over the dead, will have cause to weep over another death." This applies only when the deceased was an ordinary person, but if he was a Torah scholar, he is mourned in proportion to his wisdom. Nevertheless, you should not weep over him more than thirty days, for he is not greater than Moshe Rabbeinu, peace unto him, of whom it is written, "And the Children of Yisrael wept for Moshe thirty days."

Kitzur Shulchan Arukh 215:1 · Kitzur Shulchan Aruch, trans. Rabbi Avrohom Davis, Metsudah Pub., 1996

בַּיּוֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִי לְאַחַר שֶׁהָלְכוּ הַמְנַחֲמִים מִן הָאָבֵל, מֻתָּר בְּכָל הַדְּבָרִים שֶׁהָיָה אָסוּר תּוֹךְ שִׁבְעָה, דְאָמְרִינָן מִקְצָת הַיוֹם כְּכֻלּוֹ. חוּץ מִתַּשְׁמִישׁ הַמִּטָּה שֶׁאָסוּר כָּל הַיוֹם (אֲפִלּוּ בְּבַיִת אָפֵל). וּבִמְדִינוֹת אֵלּוּ שֶׁאֵין הַמְנַחֲמִים רְגִילִים לָבוֹא בַּיּוֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִי, צָרִיךְ לְהַמְתִּין עַד שָׁעָה שֶׁרְגִילִין לָבוֹא בִּשְׁאָר הַיָמִים, דְּהַיְנוּ לְאַחַר יְצִיאָה מִבֵּית הַכְּנֶסֶת, שֶׁרְגִילִין לָבוּא מְנַחֲמִים. וְכֵן אִם חָל יוֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִי בְּשַׁבָּת, אֲזַי לְאַחַר יְצִיאָה מִבֵּית הַכְּנֶסֶת שַׁחֲרִית, מֻתָּר בְּתַלְמוּד תּוֹרָה.

On the seventh day, after the consolers have left the mourner, he is permitted to do all the things that were forbidden during the seven days. because we say that a part of the day is considered like the entire day, except with regard to marital relations, which is forbidden the entire seventh day (even in a dark room). In those places where the consolers are not accustomed to come on the seventh day, he must wait until the time they used to come on the other days, which is after people leave the synagogue in the morning. If the seventh day of mourning occurs on Shabbos, then after people leave the synagogue in the morning, he is permitted to study Torah.

Kitzur Shulchan Arukh 216:1 · Kitzur Shulchan Aruch, trans. Rabbi Avrohom Davis, Metsudah Pub., 1996

אָבֵל שֶׁלֹּא נָהַג אֲבֵלוּת תּוֹךְ שִׁבְעָה, בֵּין בְּשׁוֹגֵג בֵּין בְּמֵזִיד, מַשְׁלִים אוֹתָה כָּל שְׁלֹשִׁים, חוּץ מִן הַקְּרִיעָה, שֶׁאִם לֹא קָרַע בִשְׁעַת חִמּוּם, אֵינוֹ קוֹרֵעַ אֶלָּא בְּתוֹךְ שִׁבְעָה, דְּחָשִיב שְׁעַת חִמּוּם. וְעַל אָבִיו וְאִמּוֹ, קוֹרֵעַ לְעוֹלָם.

A mourner who neglected to observe mourning during the first seven days, whether inadvertently or intentionally, may fulfill his obligation during the thirty day period, with the exception of tearing his garments. If he did not tear his garments, at his moment of grief, he should not tear them, for tearing the garments are of no avail except during the first seven days which are considered a time of grief. For his father or mother one must tear his garments at any time.

Kitzur Shulchan Arukh 217:1 · Kitzur Shulchan Aruch, trans. Rabbi Avrohom Davis, Metsudah Pub., 1996

מִתְאַבְּלִין עַל פִּי עֵד אֶחָד, וְעֵד מִפִּי עֵד, וּבְנָכְרִי מֵסִיחַ לְפִי תֻמוֹ.

A person must observe the laws of mourning on the testimony of one witness, or the testimony of a witness who heard about is from another witness, or by the disinterested statement of a non-Jew.

Kitzur Shulchan Arukh 218:1 · Kitzur Shulchan Aruch, trans. Rabbi Avrohom Davis, Metsudah Pub., 1996

שַׁבָּת שֶׁבְּתוֹךְ הַשִׁבְעָה, נוֹהֵג בָּה דְּבָרִים שֶׁבְּצִנְעָא, דְּהַיְנוּ שֶׁאָסוּר בְּתַשְׁמִישׁ הַמִּטָּה וּבִרְחִיצָה. אֲבָל דְּבָרִים שֶׁבְּפַרְהֶסְיָא, אֵינוֹ נוֹהֵג. וְלָכֵן קֹדֶם מִזְמוֹר שִׁיר לְיוֹם הַשַׁבָּת, נוֹעֵל אֶת הַמִּנְעָלִים, וְיוֹשֵׁב עַל כִּסֵּא, וּמַחֲלִיף אֶת הַבֶּגֶד הַקָּרוּעַ, כְּדִלְעֵיל סִימָן קצה, סָעִיף ו. וְתַלְמוּד תּוֹרָה, הֲוֵי דָּבָר שֶׁבְּצִנְעָא. אֲבָל לַחֲזוֹר אֶת הַפָּרָשָׁה שְׁנַיִם מִקְרָא וְאֶחָד תַּרְגוּם, מֻתָּר, דְּכֵיוָן שֶׁחַיָּב אָדָם לְהַשְׁלִים פָּרָשִׁיּוֹתָיו, הֲוֵי לֵהּ כְקוֹרֵא אֶת שְׁמַע וְכַדּוֹמֶה מִסֵּדֶר הַיוֹם.

On Shabbos during the seven days of mourning, the mourner must observe the laws that concern his private life. This means he is forbidden to have marital relations, and to bathe. But he should not observe any mourning in public. Therefore, before saying "Mizmor Shir Leyom Ha'Shabbos" he should put on his shoes, sit on a chair, and change his torn garment, as stated above, Chapter 195:6. Torah study is considered a private matters, but, to review the weekly portion of the Torah, the Scripture twice, and the Targum once, is permissible. Since it is the duty of every Jew to complete the weekly portion of the Torah, it is likened to the reading of the Shema, and other such portions of the daily prayers.

Kitzur Shulchan Arukh 219:1 · Kitzur Shulchan Aruch, trans. Rabbi Avrohom Davis, Metsudah Pub., 1996

הָרֶגֶל, מְבַטֵּל גְזֵרַת שִׁבְעָה וּגְזֵרַת שְׁלֹשִׁים. כֵּיצַד. הַקּוֹבֵר אֶת מֵתוֹ קֹדֶם הָרֶגֶל וְנָהַג אֲבֵלוּת, כֵּיוָן שֶׁבָּא הָרֶגֶל, מַפְסִיק אֶת הָאֲבֵלוּת. וַאֲפִלּוּ נִקְבַּר בְּעֶרֶב יוֹם טוֹב לְעֵת עֶרֶב בְּעִנְיָן שֶׁחָלָה עָלָיו אֲבֵלּוּת, אֲפִלּוּ שֶׁחָלַץ מִנְעָלָיו רַק שָׁעָה מֻעֶטֶת קֹדֶם יוֹם טוֹב, מַפְסִיק אֶת הָאֲבֵלוּת וְנֶחְשָׁב לוֹ כְּאִלּוּ כְּבָר נָהַג אֲבֵלוּת כָּל שִׁבְעָה, וְיוֹם טוֹב הָרִאשׁוֹן הוּא שְׁמִינִי, וּמַשְׁלִים עַד שְׁלֹשִׁים (וְעַיֵּן לְקַמָּן סָעִיף ח). וַאֲפִלּו אִם הָיָה עֶרֶב יוֹם טוֹב בְּיוֹם שַׁבָּת וְשָׁמַע שְׁמוּעָה קְרוֹבָה סָמוּךְ לָעֶרֶב, אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁבַּשַׁבָּת אֵין נוֹהֵג אֶלָּא דְּבָרִים שֶׁבְּצִנְעָא, כֵּיוָן שֶׁנָּהַג אֲפִלּוּ רַק בָּזֶה, גַּם כֵּן הָרֶגֶל מְבַטֵל אֶת הַשִׁבְעָה.

A Festival cancels the seven-day and the thirty day periods of mourning. Thus, if one buries his dead before a Festival, and observed some time in mourning, as soon as the Festival begins, his mourning is suspended. Even if the burial took place on the eve of Yom Tov, toward the close of the day, so that the laws of mourning pertained to him, even if he merely removed his shoes for just a short time before Yom Tov, the Festival suspends the mourning, and we consider it as though he had observed the entire seven days of mourning. The first day of the Yom Tov is counted as the eighth day, and he then completes the thirty day mourning period. Even if the eve of Yom Tov is Shabbos, and he received timely news towards the evening, although on Shabbos the only laws of mourning observed are those concerning his private life, since at least these laws were observed, the Festival cancels the seven days of mourning.

Kitzur Shulchan Arukh 220:1 · Kitzur Shulchan Aruch, trans. Rabbi Avrohom Davis, Metsudah Pub., 1996

מִצְוָה לְהִתְעַנּוֹת בְּכָל שָׁנָה יוֹם שֶׁמֵּת בּוֹ אָבִיו אוֹ אִמּוֹ, כְּדֵי לְהִתְעוֹרֵר לִתְשׁוּבָה, לְפַשְׁפֵּשׁ בְּמַעֲשָׂיו בְּאוֹתוֹ הַיוֹם וּלְהִתְחָרֵט עֲלֵיהֶם, וְעַל יְדֵי זֶה יְזַכֶּה אֶת אָבִיו וְאִמּוֹ שֶׁיִתְעַלוּ בְגַן עֵדֶן. וְלָעֶרֶב בִּתְפִלַת הַמִּנְחָה, אוֹמֵר עֲנֵנוּ כְּמוֹ בְּכָל תַּעֲנִית יָחִיד. אִם הִתְעַנָּה פַּעַם אַחַת, מִסְּתָמָא הָיְתָה דַעְתּוֹ לְהִתְעַנּוֹת כָּל יָמָיו. וְאִם כֵּן הֲרֵי הוּא עָלָיו כְּמוֹ נֶדֶר, שֶׁהוּא מִן הַתּוֹרָה, וְצָרִיךְ לְהִתְעַנּוֹת לְעוֹלָם. וּכְשֶׁהוּא חוֹלֶה אוֹ שֶׁהוּא בְּעִנְיָן אַחֵר שֶׁהוּא צָרִיךְ לֶאֱכוֹל, צָרִיךְ הַתָּרָה. וְאִם פֵּרַשׁ שֶׁאֵינוֹ מְקַבֵּל עָלָיו בְּנֶדֶר, אֵינוֹ צָרִיךְ הַתָּרָה. נוֹהֲגִין לְהַדְלִיק נֵר יָארְצַייט (וְעַיֵּן לְעֵיל סִימָן צ וְסִימָן צח סוֹף סָעִיף א).

It is a Mitzvah to fast, every year, on the anniversary of the death of one's father or mother, as an inspiration to repentance, to examine his deeds on that day and lament his wrong doings. By doing this, he will bring merit to his father and mother, so that they will be exalted in Gan Eiden. Towards evening, in the Shemoneh Esreh of Minchah, he should say Aneinu (Answer us) just as on any private fast day. If a person fasted on one Yahrzeit, it is presumed that it was his intention to fast that day all his lifetime, and therefore it becomes like a vow, which is binding upon him as a Scriptual obligation, and he is obligated to fast on that day forever. If he becomes ill, or if he is in some other situation where he must eat, he must have his vow annulled. However, if he distinctly declared that his fasting is not an acceptance of a vow, annulment is not necessary. It is customary to light a Yahrzeit candle.

Kitzur Shulchan Arukh 221:1 · Kitzur Shulchan Aruch, trans. Rabbi Avrohom Davis, Metsudah Pub., 1996