Mourning when the father is sitting Shiva
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Question
My father, may he live, is sitting Shiva for his brother, of blessed memory. Am I required to observe the laws of mourning? I have a brother who is going to a guesthouse for Shabbat, is it appropriate? Is there any prevention?
Answer
Hello,
According to Ashkenazi custom, the children of the mourner have some mourning customs. They should not bathe, cut their hair, listen to music, or attend a feast. These laws apply until the first Shabbat after the burial.
However, other mourning laws do not apply to the relatives of the mourner, so there is no prohibition to go to a guesthouse when the father is sitting Shiva. [Of course, this is only according to the essence of the law, but it may not be a respectful act towards the father...].
The aforementioned mourning laws apply only to children residing in the same city where the parent sitting Shiva lives.
Source
Shulchan Aruch Yoreh De'ah, Siman 374, Sif 6