Sarah Mitchell
Shiva, or sitting shiva, is a week-long mourning period in Judaism that commences immediately after the burial of a first-degree relative. It is referred to as sitting shiva because mourners sit on low stools or the floor to symbolise their grief and proximity to the departed. During this time, individuals discuss their loss and accept the comfort of others. While some similarities exist between sitting shiva and a Catholic wake, such as the presence of food and a shared focus on mourning and remembering the deceased, there are also notable differences. For instance, in a Catholic wake, the body of the deceased is typically present, whereas in sitting shiva, the ritual begins after the burial. Additionally, while sitting shiva is a seven-day period, Catholic wakes may vary in duration.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Duration | Sitting Shiva: 7 days |
| Catholic Wake: Varies, but can be 9 days in some Latin American countries | |
| Location | Sitting Shiva: At home |
| Catholic Wake: Not specified | |
| Remains present | Sitting Shiva: No |
| Catholic Wake: Not specified | |
| Food | Sitting Shiva: Yes |
| Catholic Wake: Not specified | |
| Clothing | Sitting Shiva: Mourners wear torn clothing or a torn ribbon |
| Catholic Wake: Not specified | |
| Grooming | Sitting Shiva: Prohibited |
| Catholic Wake: Not specified |
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What You'll Learn
- Shiva is a week-long mourning period in Judaism, commencing immediately after burial
- In Latin America, Catholics practice los nueve días, nine days of mourning
- In los nueve días, Catholics walk, contrasting with Jews who sit on low stools
- In both traditions, mourners are comforted by their community
- Shiva occurs in the mourner's home, whereas wakes occur in funeral homes
Shiva is a week-long mourning period in Judaism, commencing immediately after burial
During this period, mourners discuss their loss and accept the comfort of others. It is a requirement for parents, siblings, spouses, and children of the deceased. At the funeral, mourners wear an outer garment that is torn before the procession in a ritual known as keriah. In some traditions, a black ribbon is worn instead. The torn article is worn throughout Shiva.
Shiva is observed by sitting on low stools or the floor, symbolising feeling low in grief and being close to the departed. It is customary not to greet the mourners, instead waiting to be greeted. The act of sitting Shiva is referenced in the Book of Job, where Job's friends "sat down with him upon the ground seven days and seven nights".
There are some similarities between Shiva and Catholic wakes. For example, in both traditions, the mourning process begins when the deceased is buried, and people bring food to share with the bereaved family. However, there are also differences. For instance, in a Catholic wake, the deceased's body is usually present for the funeral mass, which can take days to organise, whereas Jewish law states that the dead should be buried within 24 hours of death.
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In Latin America, Catholics practice los nueve días, nine days of mourning
In Latin America, Catholics practice los nueve días, or novenario, which translates to nine days of mourning. This practice is similar to the Jewish custom of sitting shiva, which is a seven-day mourning period. Both traditions involve gathering loved ones to offer support and comfort to the bereaved, sharing stories, and remembering the deceased. However, while those observing Shiva remain seated on low stools or pillows, symbolizing their grief, Latino Catholics walk.
On the first day of los nueve días, a cross is erected next to an altar in the family home. This altar is decorated with pictures and offerings for the departed, which remain in place for the nine days of mourning. Ofrendas, or offerings, are also placed at the base of the altar and cleared away when the mourning period ends. The family then carries the cross to the deceased's final resting place on the last day, symbolizing the departed's journey to divinity and the family's support in this journey.
In Mexico, a feast is also part of the ritual, with the last meal being the departed's favorite dish, shared by everyone. This final feast is a crucial step in the transfer of the departed from the hands of their loved ones to God. The communal nature of this mourning tradition helps grieving families find the strength to return to their daily lives and work, knowing they are not alone.
The Novena, or nine days of mourning, has been an important tradition in Latin America, particularly among Roman Catholics in countries like Mexico, the Dominican Republic, and Louisiana. It involves nine days of devotional prayers, often in front of an altar with nine levels, with the Holy Cross at the top. Each day, the votive candles are raised by one level towards the cross, and the space is decorated with flowers and statues of the Virgin Mary, Apostles, and saints. The novena is also linked to funerary rituals, with the Rosary Novena being a common practice among Filipino Catholics, where prayers are recited for nine days, often starting from the day of death.
Overall, los nueve días and the Novena traditions in Latin America share similarities with the Jewish custom of sitting shiva, emphasizing communal mourning, support for the bereaved, and remembrance of the deceased.
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In los nueve días, Catholics walk, contrasting with Jews who sit on low stools
The Jewish ritual of sitting shiva and the Catholic los nueve días share similarities as mourning traditions. Both traditions involve a period of consecutive days of prayer and mourning after a death, with the Hebrew word "shiva" meaning "seven", and "nueve" being the Latin word for "nine". However, there is a key difference between the two traditions: while Jews often literally sit shiva, using low stools or pillows to symbolise their grief and closeness to the departed, Latino Catholics walk.
Sitting shiva is a week-long mourning period in Judaism for first-degree relatives. The ritual is referred to as "sitting shiva" in English, and it lasts for seven days following the burial. The seven days typically begin immediately after the deceased has been buried. During this time, mourners discuss their loss and accept the comfort of others. It is customary for the mourning family members to sit on low stools or the floor, while guests do not need to do so. It is also customary not to greet the mourners, instead waiting to be greeted.
In contrast, during the Catholic los nueve días, Catholics in many Latin American countries, including Mexico and the Dominican Republic, mourn for nine days, named for the Latin word for nine. On the first day of mourning, a cross is erected next to an altar in the family home, which is then carried to the deceased's final resting place on the last day. This symbolises the long journey the departed will take to divinity and the family's role in helping them get there.
While there are differences between the two traditions, both sitting shiva and los nueve días provide a time of communal mourning that can give a grieving family strength and support as they navigate their loss and begin to return to their daily lives.
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In both traditions, mourners are comforted by their community
Sitting shiva is a week-long mourning period in Judaism, commencing immediately after the burial. The ritual is referred to as "sitting shiva" because mourners sit on low stools or the floor, symbolising feeling low in their grief and to be close to the departed. During this time, individuals discuss their loss and are comforted by their community.
In the Jewish tradition, the mourner must make their pain visible, and their friends, family and community help them as they grieve. This can be seen in the act of the whole community helping to bury the dead, which is a physical expression of service and care.
In Catholic Latino communities, there is a similar period of mourning called los nueve días or novenario, which translates to "nine days". This period of mourning is almost identical to sitting shiva, with the exception that Latino Catholics walk rather than sit. During this time, Catholic Latinos also receive comfort from their community, with people gathering to eat together and lend strength in numbers to help a family grieve.
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Shiva occurs in the mourner's home, whereas wakes occur in funeral homes
Shiva is a week-long mourning period in Judaism for first-degree relatives. The ritual is referred to as "sitting shiva" and typically takes place in the mourner's home. It begins immediately after the burial and lasts for seven days, ending after the morning service on the seventh day. During this time, mourners may sit on low stools or the floor, and it is customary for guests to wait to be greeted by the mourners rather than initiating greetings themselves.
On the other hand, a Catholic wake typically occurs in a funeral home before the burial. It is a time for family and friends to gather, offer condolences, and pay their respects to the deceased. While there may be some similarities in the emotions experienced during both gatherings, the settings differ, with Shiva taking place in a home environment and wakes usually occurring in funeral homes.
The Shiva period is considered a time for individuals to discuss their loss and seek comfort from others. It is seen as a requirement for close relatives of the deceased and often involves specific rituals such as covering mirrors and tearing garments. The seven-day period is symbolic, representing the Hebrew word for "seven."
In contrast, Catholic wakes may vary in duration and are not typically associated with the same symbolic significance as Shiva. While both traditions prioritize supporting the bereaved, the Catholic wake focuses more on the deceased person, while Shiva emphasizes the needs of the mourners and their community.
The differences in the settings of Shiva and Catholic wakes contribute to the distinct atmospheres and experiences associated with each ritual. The home setting of Shiva creates an intimate and personal environment for mourners to grieve and receive support from their community. In contrast, wakes in funeral homes may feel more formal and structured, providing a space for visitors to pay their respects and offer condolences.
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Frequently asked questions
Sitting shiva is a week-long mourning period in Judaism for first-degree relatives. The ritual is referred to as "sitting shiva" as people sit on low stools during times of mourning.
A Catholic wake is a gathering of mourners before a funeral. It is a time to pay respects to the deceased and offer condolences to the bereaved.
Both traditions involve a period of mourning and are focused on providing comfort to the bereaved. In both traditions, mourners are expected to discuss their loss and receive support from their community.
One key difference is the timing. Sitting shiva begins immediately after the burial and lasts for seven days, whereas a Catholic wake usually takes place before the funeral. Another difference is that sitting shiva involves specific rituals such as covering mirrors and tearing one's clothing, which are not typically part of a Catholic wake.
