Talmud for II Samuel 15:30
וְדָוִ֡ד עֹלֶה֩ בְמַעֲלֵ֨ה הַזֵּיתִ֜ים עֹלֶ֣ה ׀ וּבוֹכֶ֗ה וְרֹ֥אשׁ לוֹ֙ חָפ֔וּי וְה֖וּא הֹלֵ֣ךְ יָחֵ֑ף וְכָל־הָעָ֣ם אֲשֶׁר־אִתּ֗וֹ חָפוּ֙ אִ֣ישׁ רֹאשׁ֔וֹ וְעָל֥וּ עָלֹ֖ה וּבָכֹֽה׃
And David went up by the ascent of the mount of Olives, and wept as he went up; and he had his head covered, and went barefoot; and all the people that were with him covered every man his head, and they went up, weeping as they went up.
Tractate Semachot
1For a full discussion of what is prohibited to a mourner, cf. M.Ḳ. 15a, b and 21a, b (Sonc. ed., pp. 90ff, 133ff). The law is based on Ezek. 24, 17, 23 where the prophet is warned not to observe the usual rites of mourning. A mourner is forbidden to read the Pentateuch, Prophets and Hagiographa;2Because the study of the Torah is a joy. he is also forbidden to study Mishnah, Talmud, halakoth and ’aggadoth. He is under the prohibition to bathe, anoint [the body], put on sandals3These and covering the head are signs of mourning; cf. 2 Sam. 15, 30, Jer. 14, 3f, Esth. 6, 12. and cohabit. He is obliged to cover his head and overturn his couch.4Cf. M.Ḳ. 15a, b (Sonc. ed., p. 92): God says, ‘I have set the likeness of Mine image on them and through their sins have I upset it; let your couches be overturned on account thereof’. According to A. Marmorstein the rite served the purpose of warning the mourners against sexual intercourse which is forbidden in the days of mourning; cf. j.Ber. III, 1, 6a.
It is related of Rabban Gamaliel5Cf. Ber. 16b (Sonc. ed., p. 96). that when his wife died he bathed on the first night. His disciples said to him, ‘Master, have you not taught us that a mourner is forbidden to bathe?’ He replied, ‘I am not like other men, I am delicate’.
It is related of Rabban Gamaliel5Cf. Ber. 16b (Sonc. ed., p. 96). that when his wife died he bathed on the first night. His disciples said to him, ‘Master, have you not taught us that a mourner is forbidden to bathe?’ He replied, ‘I am not like other men, I am delicate’.
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