Sitting Shiva for Half Sibling

Question:

My half-sister is, unfortunately, close to death. Will I have to sit Shiva for her?

AskTheRabbi.org answered:

I am very sorry to hear this. According to Jewish Law (Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh Deah 374) one does sit Shivah for a half-sister (and for a half-brother).

Similar Questions
Life Cycle > Death and Mourning 120 Funeral Etiquette Yahrzeit Date Getting Married at Funeral Home Wreaths on Graves What is Sitting Shiva? Kaddish for a Friend Unfortunate Family Event Jewish Cemetery A Day to Remember Parent Requesting Cremation Burial and Cremation Kaddish How Long is Kaddish Said? Cremation (2) Reincarnation Miscarriages Euthanasia What Happens After Death? Tattoo and Burial Tattoo Taboo Why Say Kaddish? Honoring a Parent Sitting Shiva for a Baby Learning the Laws of Mourning for Someone Who is Still Alive Organ Donation Bon Voyage Jewish Cemetary Longevity Limits Visiting Gravesite Explaining Death to a Child Cleaning Gravestones Visiting a Mourner Quality of Life When does Sitting Shiva End? The “Kaddish” Prayer Who Says Kaddish, How Long? Dealing with Death Travelling for Yahrzeit Making a Monument Of Blessed Memory Perpetuating a Loved One Mourner Leading Prayer Services A Letter to Beyond Cremation The Last Day of Mourning Jewish Burial Attending Engagement During Mourning My Child's Wedding During Mourning Expressing Condolences Tombstone Date Covering Mirrors During Week of Mourning Another World: More Than Meets the Eye Unveiling Don’t Pass the Shovel The Comforting Visit Close to Death Placing Stones on Graves A Reality Check Services in a House of Mourning The More Important Mitzvah Where Do We Go When We Die?

Have a question?

Gateways - Your Key to Jewish Continuity

AskTheRabbi.org is a service of the Gateways Organization © 2025
Technical problems? Please contact the AskTheRabbi Support team