It is a custom of Jewish mourning. I saw 7 days and thought, huh? I forgot it was in Job and actually Job's friends - that was the only comfort they showed Job.....silence.
http://www.shiva.com/learning-center/understanding/how-shiva-observed/
How is Shiva Observed
When and How Long
Shiva begins immediately following the
burial and lasts for seven days, ending after the morning service on the seventh day. Shiva is not observed on the Sabbath (Friday at sundown through Saturday at sundown) or holidays. While shiva is the seven-day period following burial – and many mourners do choose to observe shiva for the full seven days – it is common to find that some families may only
sit shiva for one-to-three days, depending on many factors, including level of observance or the deceased’s instructions or wishes.
Where
A shiva is traditionally observed in the home of the deceased, but may also be observed in the residence of an immediate family member. In today’s world, many families are dispersed and live in cities throughout the country. As a result, it is becoming more common for a shiva to take place simultaneously in multiple locations.
Mourner Observances
Whether you are
sitting shiva or
visiting a shiva home, you will encounter various
types of observances: Some are traditional while others are more liberally interpreted. Below, you will see the definitions of some of the more traditional fulfillments.
Staying Home
Mourners do not work during the shiva period and for the most part stay at home. During the shiva period, mourners also do not participate in parties, concerts, shows, movies, or similar events that are celebratory in nature.
Mourners are to focus on their loss in order to be able to gradually heal, and by leaving the shiva house, mourners are surrounded by distractions and more likely to lose focus.
Sitting on a Low Chair
Mourners may also be sitting on low stools or boxes as a means of expressing grief. Furthermore, this practice symbolizes the humility and pain of the mourner being “brought low” by the passing of a loved one.
Covered Mirrors
Visitors to a shiva home may also see that mirrors are covered. Although there are many explanations for this practice, the most widely accepted is that a mourner should not be concerned with his or her personal appearance at this time. In addition, while in mourning, some people will not wear makeup, men won’t shave or wear new clothes, and some will not wear shoes for the same reason.
Burning a Candle
A tall candle traditionally burns in the shiva home for seven days as a sign of memorial.
Mourner Attire
A mourner will usually be wearing a torn black ribbon on his or her clothing. This practice, known as a keriah (or “kriah”), symbolizes the tear in the mourner’s heart for his or her loss. In traditional communities, a person’s actual clothing may be torn near the heart.
This ritual calls for the mourner to wear a torn garment during the shiva, while on Shabbat, High Holy Days and festivals, no public signs of mourning are worn.
Prayer Service
In the Jewish religion, there are certain
prayers recited to honor of the passing of loved ones, celebrate their life, and help with coping during the mourning process. Such prayers include the
Mourner’s Kaddish and the
Prayer of Mercy (or “Kel Maleh Rachamim”).
Cleansing
Upon returning to the cemetery, there may be a pitcher of water outside the front door to wash one’s hands. This custom has many sources, but the most common reason is to symbolically wash off any impurities associated with the cemetery and death.
