Can you take food from a shiva house?
Although it depends on your relation, the appropriate duration of a shiva call is typically an hour. Staying too long may put undue strain on the mourners, so consider the length of your visit.
My understanding is that traditions have relaxed somewhat in most religious communities but that wine is permitted even from the first portion of lamentation throughout the period of Shiva. It is not a wake, nor a celebration, not until the first seven days are past.
What are the rules for sitting Shiva?
What should I bring to shiva? Bring food that can easily be served and shared. Avoid food that requires work on the part of the mourners. Kosher cookies, cakes, candies, nuts are all welcome at shiva as long as they are crowd pleasers and easy to serve.
What should you not do at a shiva house?
It is a custom not to remove anything from the Shiva house during the week of Shiva. The return of food should be done after the Shiva period is completed.
