Shivahs

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. An observance in Judaism involving mourning practices for the deceased lasting seven days
2. A period of deep reflection and gathering for family and friends to honor the memory of the departed
3. A time marked by rituals, prayers, and communal support for those grieving a loss

Etymology: "Shivahs" is the plural of "shivah", a Hebrew word meaning "seven" that names the seven-day period of mourning observed in Jewish tradition after a death. The plural form is used when referring to more than one such period, as when a family sits shivah for several relatives, or when different households mark their own observances. The underlying Hebrew noun, "shivʿah", derives from the number "seven", reflecting the length of the traditional mourning period. In practice, mourners stay at home, receive visitors who bring food and offer comfort, and gather for prayer, so the term describes both the time and the custom of gathering around the bereaved.

Synonyms: shivahs, shivas