1,344. Torah Study During Shiva

210:1 A mourner is not permitted to study Torah because, as we learn in Psalms 19:9, “The statutes of the Lord are right, causing the heart to rejoice,” and a mourner is forbidden to have joy. This prohibition includes the Books of Torah, Neviim (Prophets) and Kesuvim (Writings), Mishna, Talmud, halacha and aggadah (the non-legal portions of the Talmud, similar to Midrash). A mourner is permitted to read from the Book of Job, kinnos (dirges) and the sections detailing evil in Jeremiah. In the Talmud, he may study the chapter “these may have their hair cut” in Moed Katan, which deals with the laws of excommunication and mourning, as well as the minor tractate of Semachos (which likewise deals with mourning). He is also permitted to study the laws of mourning. Even in subjects that he is allowed to learn, he may not delve into questions and answers.

210:2 If a teacher becomes a mourner, after the first three days he may teach the children whatever they need, so that their studies should not be done away with. This is because schoolchildren, whose mere conversation is free from sin, are more pleasing to G-d than the Torah study of adults. Similarly, if a mourner has young children, he should not cancel their studies because they are not obligated to mourn.