It is a custom to rend one’s clothes the moment one hears news of a passing. The mourners traditionally make a tear (in Hebrew: “keriah”) in an outer garment either before the funeral or immediately after it. The tear should be on the left side for a parent (over the heart and clearly visible) and on the right side for brothers, sisters, children and spouses (and does not need to be visible). The concept of the tear is the main idea behind this design. The purpose of the design is to cover a Yahrtzeit candle (literally “Time of Year candle” in Yiddish). This annual rememberance custom that is deeply ingrained in Jewish life for honoring the memory and souls of the deceased, is to light a candle that lasts for 24 hours on the anniversary of the deceased relative’s death according to the Hebrew calendar.
