Mirrors. Individuals who are in mourning, or in a shiva home, are required to cover mirrors from the time an individual dies until the end of shiva. There are several reasons Judaism requires this. The first reason may stem from the idea that man was created in the image of God.
'Others say you should cover your mirror to avoid bad luck or negative attraction. If you are in a negative space or dealing with a negative situation, mirrors can double the energy in a room and expand the current vibration and frequency.
Precious for their material and their function, mirrors were used for Shinto rituals as well as personal use. In order to slow inevitable oxidation and avert marring the finish it was necessary to avoid touching the surface with bare hands and otherwise keep them wrapped up or covered when not in use.
Many traditional Shiva restrictions include no wearing of new clothes, no shaving for men, no washing clothes, no bathing.
The Irish wake is a well-known funeral tradition where the family of the deceased covers all mirrors in the home. To hide the physical body from the soul, the family turns mirrors to face the wall. Some Irish superstitions say that if you look in a mirror long enough, you'll see a devil looking over your shoulder.
During shiva, a mourner is expected to ignore their own physical beauty. Mirrors are covered to remind the mourners that shiva is a reflection of loneliness and not about social acceptance.
Mirrors. Individuals who are in mourning, or in a shiva home, are required to cover mirrors from the time an individual dies until the end of shiva. There are several reasons Judaism requires this. The first reason may stem from the idea that man was created in the image of God.
When parallel light rays fall on the surface of a concave mirror, all the rays after reflection converge(meet) at a single point(focus). Hence, a concave mirror is also called a converging mirror.
They could, it was believed, dispel evils and so mirrors become a favourite burial accessory. Also they were to keep the home safe from evil, criminals and misfortune. Ancient Chinese used mirrors in various social functions. They were given as gifts to and by emperors and common people alike.
Tips to Correct Feng Shui Mirrors in Your Bedroom Space
- Cover the mirror with a cloth while sleeping so that you can avoid all the scientific as well as superstitious reasons to feel anxious, worried or alarmed while sleeping.
Balancing energy: Mirrors are important in the practice of Feng Shui because they help to balance the flow of energy, known as Chi, inside a place. They redirect and circulate energy, preventing it from becoming stagnant or blocked.
Generally speaking, Feng Shui experts do not recommend placing a mirror directly across from the door leading into your room, but rather on a wall perpendicular to it. If you have placed your bed in the correct commanding position, it means the mirror won't be placed behind the bed but along the side.
A 1986 report by the Committee on Jewish Law and Standards states that cremation is against Jewish tradition and should be advised so by the Rabbi. The report goes on to say that if your family ignores the Rabbi's advice, the Rabbi may still choose to officiate the service at a funeral parlor before the cremation.
The observation of the 40th day after death occurs in the Eastern Orthodox tradition. The ritual represents spiritual intercession on the part of the dead, who are believed to collectively await the Day of Judgment.
Judaism teaches that honor, respect and caring for a person who has died is one of the greatest mitzvot (commandments). It is Jewish practice to bury the deceased as quickly as possible to provide comfort for their soul and expedite the person's journey to the Next World.
It is a common practice to cover the legs as there is swelling in the feet and shoes don't fit. As part of funeral care, the body is dressed and preserved, with the prime focus on the face. Post embalming, bodies are often placed without shoes; hence covering the legs is the way to offer a dignified funeral.
If half of the mirror is covered with black paper then the image shape will remain unaffected. Just intensity of image will reduce as now, number of reflecting rays will be less as no reflection takes place due to the covered portion.
Appeasing the Spirits
The custom of shutting the eyes of the deceased is believed to have begun this way, done in an attempt to close a "window" from the living world to the spirit world. Covering the face of the deceased with a sheet comes from pagan beliefs that the spirit of the deceased escaped through the mouth.
The universal fascination with mirrors was shared by Jews. The widespread use of mirrors by Jewish women can be inferred from the book of Exodus: “The Lord spoke to Moses, saying: “You shall also make a basin of bronze, with its stand also of bronze, for washing ” (Exodus 30:17-18).
The looking glass/mirror (T. me-long, Skt. adarsa), which represents the dharmakaya or Truth Body, having the aspects of purity (a mirror is clear of pollution) and wisdom (a mirror reflects all phenomena without distinction).
A shiva visit should be no more than an hour. If a service is held, come a few minutes before and stay a few after. Mourners uniformly report how exhausted they are by the shiva experience; do not overstay your welcome. Say goodbye.
Some have argued that mirrors are covered in a house during shiva because evil spirits are commonly found in homes where a death has occurred, and that during shiva spirits can most easily attach themselves to the reflections in mirrors, so they must be covered or turned around.
Following the funeral and burial, the immediate family begins an official mourning period. The first seven days of this mourning period are referred to as Shiva, which in Hebrew means 'seven'. During this period of intense grief, the family is instructed to withdraw from their day lives and routine obligations.
Suggested items for a Shiva basket are: baked goods and desserts, fresh fruit, dried fruit and nuts or chocolates. A Shiva platter usually contains cooked meats, fish and/or specialty salads. If the mourners keep a Kosher home, it is imperative to choose Kosher food to send.