Tearing a Garment with Scissors
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Question
If one needs to perform ’kriah’ (the act of rending one's clothes as a sign of mourning), but cannot manage to tear the fabric with his hand, can he use scissors?
Answer
In mourning for one's father and mother, one must tear the garment specifically by hand, though one may start with scissors and continue by hand. For other relatives, scissors may be used.
Source
The Gemara in Moed Katan 22b states: "For all the deceased, if one wishes, he tears by hand, if he wishes, he tears with a utensil. For his father and mother - by hand." This is also ruled in the Shulchan Aruch, Siman 340, paragraph 14. (And your sign is 'hand')
The Meiri writes there: "For all the deceased, if he wishes to make the tear with a knife, he may do so, even though tearing by hand indicates greater bitterness. For his father and mother, specifically by hand. However, if the edge of the garment is strong and he cannot tear it by hand, he cuts it with a utensil and completes the tear by hand."