Amós 6:7 Halacá: Shulchan Arukh, Yoreh De'ah

The comforters are not permitted to open [conversation] until the mourner opens first; and the mourner reclines at the head [of the mourner's meal];²M.K. ibid.; Ket. 69b. This refers to meals served in the house of mourning, and is derived from Job’s statement, ‘I chose out their way, and sat chief (head), and dwelt as a king in the army, as one comforteth the mourners’ (Job XXIX, 25). The last part of the verse, ‘as one comforteth the mourners’ is rendered as the Pu‘al ינוחם i.e., ‘one who is comforteth.’ This is in accord with R. Abbahu ibid. Mar Zutra derives this ruling from Amos VI, 7, which he interprets as, ‘he who is bitter (of soul) and distracted (through bereavement) is made the chief of those banqueting (i.e., the mourner must sit at the head of the meal).’ E. has, ‘and the revelry of them that stretched themselves shall pass away.’ and as soon as the mourner nods his head in a manner from which it is indicative that he dismisses the comforters,³So that they retire. they are not permitted to remain seated by him.⁴M.K. 27b in accord with R. Joḥanan. For the mourner is not permitted to bid them farewell with the word ‘Peace’ שלום — N in T.H. on the authority of Ghayyat. A mourner or a sick person are not required to rise even on account of a Nasi.⁵ Glos. M.K. III (27b) — G. For this is not considered rising that bestows honour — R. A. Eger. Kid. 32b.