Stopping a Washing Machine Upon Learning of Mourning
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Question
A person who learns that a relative has died while the washing machine is running, should they stop it?
Answer
There is no need to stop the washing machine.
Source
Even though an onen is obligated to observe the laws of mourning as explained in Shulchan Aruch, Siman 343, Section 5. And Shaarei Teshuva, Siman 551, Subsection 7, writes: "And see in the Magen Avraham in the name of Zera Emet that to give a laundress linen clothes on the eve of the month to soak them on that day in water, and after Av enters, to complete their whitening with water, ash, and soap as customary, and all in the house of Israel, and although by law it is permitted, it is still proper to be cautious about this to be in the house of Israel due to appearance, see there and see further in Subsection 35."
In mourning, it is more lenient, since he could not plan in advance and did not know it would be forbidden to him. And here there is not so much of a prohibition of appearance since not everyone knows it is forbidden to him.