what is shiva
Shiva (Hebrew: ×©××¢× â, literally seven) is the week-long mourning period in Judaism for first-degree relatives: father, mother, son, daughter, brother, sister, and spouse. The ritual is referred to as sitting shiva..Immediately after burial, people assume the halakhic status of  avel  (Hebrew: ×××; mourner).This state lasts for seven days, during which family members traditionally gather in one home (preferably the home of the deceased) and receive visitors.he Hebrew word shiva means seven , and the official shiva period is seven days. The day of the funeral is counted as the first day of shiva, even though the practice does not begin until after the mourner(s) arrive at the designated location following the funeral.