3,927. The Kohein Gadol and Mourning

Hilchos Klei HaMikdash 5:5

If a close relative of the Kohein Gadol dies, he doesn’t go to the funeral procession. Rather, he doesn’t leave the entrance to his house or the Temple and the people come to his house to extend condolences. He stands for the line of comforters with the Deputy Kohein Gadol to his right and the head of the family on duty to his left. The people say, “We are an atonement for you” and he replies: “May you be blessed by Heaven.”

Hilchos Klei HaMikdash 5:6

When the Kohein Gadol is served the consolation meal, the people sit on the ground and he sits on a low bench. The Kohein Gadol doesn’t rend tear garments for the deceased as other kohanim do, as per Leviticus 21:10: “He may not tear his garments.” If he does tear them, he is subject to the penalty of lashes, though he is permitted to tear his garments below, near his feet. He may not let his hair grow as the aforementioned verse says: “He may not let (the hair of) his head grow wild.” This is true even when he doesn’t enter the Temple. Rather, he must have his hair cut every Friday. He may not cut his hair with a razor, only with scissors. The top of each hair must be cut when it reaches the bottom of the hair above it so that it looks as if they grew together. This is derived from Ezekiel 44:20: “They may not shave their heads or let their hair grow. Rather, they must keep their heads trimmed.”