What does the Rambam teach about the mitzvah of comforting mourners?
What does the Rambam teach about the mitzvah of comforting mourners?
The Rambam teaches that comforting mourners is a positive commandment of Rabbinic origin [2]. After the deceased is buried, mourners are comforted by those who attended the funeral, who pass by the mourners one by one to offer comfort [1]. The laws of mourning and comforting are modified on certain days, such as festivals and the Sabbath [3, 4]. The Rambam also discusses the customs of rending and sewing garments during mourning [5].
Sources
- Mishneh Torah, Avel 13 — How are mourners comforted? After the deceased is buried, the mourners gather together and stand at the side of the cemetery. All of those…
- Mishneh Torah, Avel 14 — It is a positive commandment of Rabbinic origin to visit the sick, comfort mourners, to prepare for a funeral, prepare a bride, accompany g…
- Mishneh Torah, Avel 11 — Although the mourning rites are not observed at all during the festival, one should rend his garments because of his dead on a festival and…
- Mishneh Torah, Avel 10 — The Sabbath is counted as one of the days of mourning. Nevertheless, the laws of mourning are not observed on the Sabbath with the exceptio…
- Mishneh Torah, Avel 9 — Whenever a person rends his garments after the loss of a relative other than a parent, he may sew the tear after the seven days of mourning…
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