What is the minimum required size of the keriah tear?
The minimum required tear for keriah is one handbreadth (tefach). This applies to all relatives. For parents, one must tear until the heart is revealed — which often requires much more.
Question 2
For the death of a parent, which of the following is required for keriah?
For parents, keriah must be done by hand (not a utensil), in public, until the heart is visible. All garments worn must be torn — not just the outer one — and the shoulder must be bared.
Question 3
When may a keriah tear for parents be mended?
Tears for parents are never mended using Alexandrian (proper) stitching. One may sew irregularly after thirty days, but the garment may never be fully repaired. Tears for other relatives may be mended after thirty days.
Question 4
A person hears that his father died and tears his garment. He then discovers it was actually his son who died. He discovers this immediately. What is the law?
If the error is discovered 'within the time of speech' (toch k'dei dibbur — approximately three seconds), the original tear counts for the person who actually died. If discovered later, a new tear is required.
Question 5
A mourner loses a first relative, tears his garment, and then another relative dies after seven days. What does he do?
When a second relative dies after the first shiva but within the thirty days, the mourner extends (adds to) the original tear by the slightest amount. He continues extending until the navel, then starts anew three fingerbreadths away.