Why do we take off our shoes before mourning in Jewish tradition?

Question

I've always wondered why we do this. ANSWER ME PLEASE!!

Answer 1

The comfort of wearing leather shoes is denied the mourner during shiva. As on Yom Kippur, when leather footwear may not be worn, the stockinged feet or the wearing of soft shoes during bereavement is symbolic of personal mortification and a disregard of vanity and comfort, in order better to concentrate on the deeper meaning of life. Thus, the prophet Ezekiel is told to remove his shoes while he is mourning. This act symbolizes for the Jew the formal acceptance of mourning.

Shoes made of materials other than leather may be worn, and it is not necessary to walk in stockinged feet. Shoes of cloth, reeds, hair, or wood, are permitted so long as they are not covered with leather and the soles are not made of leather. Rubber or synthetic plastic shoes may be worn even if the lace be made of leather, as it is not used to cover the foot. While shoes made of corfam or other imitation leather with rubber soles are theoretically permitted according to Jewish law, the appearance is similar to that of leather and, hence, might mislead people into believing that the mourner is not properly honoring the deceased. Such shoes should, therefore, be avoided if possible.

Answer 2

Its called respect.