Question: A colleague of mine recently lost his father and circumstances prevented me from paying him a condolence visit. When I meet him for the first time after his Shiva mourning period what is the right thing to do?

Answer: The halacha (Shulchan Aruch Yoreh De’ah 385:2) states that in the case of a deceased parent, you can offer condolences during the entire year following the death wherever you meet him. (In regard to relatives other than parents this applies only to the first 30 days.)

You should, however, avoid taking the initiative of greeting him with "Shalom" during this period but you may respond to his greeting.

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