Editing Shiva (Judaism) (section)

===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. In doing so, man acquires the same dignity and value as God. When a creation of God dies, this lessens his image. The death of human beings disrupts the connection between the living man and living God. Since the purpose of mirrors is to reflect such image, they are covered during mourning. A second reason mirrors are covered in Judaism branches from contemplation of one's relationship with God during the death of a loved one. At this time, individuals are instructed to focus on grief and mourning rather than themselves. In order to prevent selfish thoughts, all mirrors are covered within the homes of mourners. A third reason which depicts why mirrors should be covered comes from the law which states that an individual may not stand directly in front of an image or worship one. Therefore, mirrors and pictures are hidden during mourning.<ref name="Lamm" />

====Pictures====
Some have an additional custom to cover all pictures of people.<ref name="ArtScroll.MiH">{{cite book |title=Mourning in Halachah |first=Rabbi Chaim Binyamin |last=Goldberg |publisher=[[ArtScroll]] |year=1991 |isbn=0-89906-171-0}}</ref>{{rp|p.54 (3:37), p.179 (16:4)}}<ref name="Moment.SEL">{{cite book |title=A Moment in Time |year=2010 |first=Nachman |last=Seltzer |isbn=978-1-59826-636-8 |publisher=Hamodia/Feldheim}}</ref>{{rp|pp.229–230}} One reason, which is linked to the covering of mirrors (and, by some, all pictures of people too) is that prayer services are held in the house of mourning, if a quorum can be gathered, and "Jewish law clearly states that one may not worship an image or standing directly in front of one .. picture .. mirror."<ref name="Lamm" />{{rp|p.104}}