(Editors's note: This article continues Rabbi Pachter's series on the Jewish Life Cycle which can be found on this website in the articles dated September, 2001 through June, 2002.)

Shivah, which literally means the number seven, refers to the initial mourning period in Judaism, beginning immediately when the burial has been completed. Shivah is observed in a home, preferably the home of the deceased. The mourners -- spouse, parents, siblings and children -- remain in the home during this period. They leave only to attend the synagogue on Shabbat.

The mourners traditionally wear a torn garment during shivah. They sit low to the ground and do not wear shoes. Mirrors are covered as they are a source of distraction. A candle is kept burning constantly as a reminder of the mysterious presence of the soul and its connection with God.

Just as the mourner's world is turned upside down by the death of a loved one, the shivah experience is one filled with reversals and contradictions. The private home becomes a public place, where members of the community enter without knocking. The residents of the home are treated like guests; the outsiders become the servers of food, acting as hosts in another's kitchen. Yet, the visitor during shivah is requested not to open conversation, rather to wait for the direction of the mourner.

Why seven days? There is a Biblical precedent -- Joseph mourned seven days for his father, Jacob. Alternatively, the prophet Amos declares that God will turn the days of festival into days of mourning, and the typical Biblical festival lasts for seven days. Coincidentally, seven days is the length of celebration following a wedding, during which time sheva berakhot are recited in the presence of the bride and groom. At times of utter joy or sorrow, we join together as a community to share in the sacred experience. A common explanation is that mourning is based on the creation story. Just as it took God seven days to create the world, it must take us seven days to return to life, now that our world has been destroyed.

There is a trick to counting the seven days of shivah. Shivah begins immediately following the burial, yet this partial day counts as day one. On the seventh day, the shivah concludes in the morning, about one hour after sunrise. So there are only five complete days of shivah. Also, each shiva includes one Shabbat, during which time it is appropriate to set aside the shiva observance temporarily.

So a traditional shivah usually consists of four full days in the home, plus the day of the funeral, the Shabbat and a very brief seventh day.

Nonetheless, many families declare that shivah will end early, often concluding just 24 hours prior to the real end. Not only is the abbreviated mourning contrary to Jewish law, it also misses the point of the observance.

When a loved one dies, we hurry to complete the burial. But we take the opposite approach regarding the healing of the living. We need not rush to the finish line of mourning. The end will arrive in due course.