shibah

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The word "shiva" (sometimes spelled "shibah") is a noun in English that comes from Jewish traditions. Here’s an easy explanation:

Definition:

Shiva (noun) refers to a specific period of mourning that lasts for seven days after the death of a close family member. During this time, the family of the deceased traditionally stays at home to mourn and receive visitors who come to offer condolences and support.

Usage Instructions:

• When to use: You can use the word "shiva" when discussing Jewish mourning practices, especially in contexts related to death and grieving.
• Example Sentence: "After her father passed away, she observed shiva with her family for a week."

Advanced Usage:

In more advanced contexts, you might talk about the customs and rituals associated with shiva, such as the practice of sitting on low stools and covering mirrors in the home to focus on mourning rather than on daily life.

Variants:

• The word can be spelled as "shibah," but "shiva" is the more commonly used spelling.
• Related terms include "shiva house" (the home where the mourning takes place) and "shiva minyan" (a gathering for prayer during the shiva period).

Different Meanings:

While "shiva" primarily refers to this mourning period in Judaism, it does not have widely recognized different meanings in the English language. However, in a general sense, "shiva" can also refer to any gathering for mourning, but this usage is less common.

Synonyms:

There are no direct synonyms for "shiva" in English, as it is a specific cultural term. However, you might use phrases like "mourning period" or "week of mourning" to describe the concept in a more general way.

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

There are no specific idioms or phrasal verbs that include the word "shiva." However, you might hear phrases like "to sit shiva" which means to participate in the mourning rituals.

Summary:

In summary, "shiva" is an important term in Jewish culture that refers to a week-long mourning period after the death of a close relative.

Academic

Noun

1. (Judaism) a period of seven days of mourning after the death of close relative
   • the family is sitting shiva

Synonyms

• shiva
• shivah