View source for Mourning and Fasting on Chanukah and Purim

==Mourning and Fasting on Chanuka==
#	If a relative passes away on [[Chanukah]] one must keep all the practices of [[Aveilut]], including [[ripping]] one’s clothing for the dead and comforting the mourner. <Ref>Mishna Brurah 670:12 writes that all agree that there is [[Aveilut]] on [[Chanukah]]. Yalkut Yosef (Moadim 192) agrees. </ref> 
#	One should not conduct a eulogy during [[Chanukah]] because [[Chanukah]] is a time of Simcha and [[Hallel]] and it is only permitted to conduct a eulogy for a Chacham on the day of death. <Ref> [[Shabbat]] 21b says that it’s forbidden to eulogize on [[Chanukah]]. However Megilah 3b and moed Katan 26b says for a Chacham it’s permitted on Moed and all the more so for [[Chanukah]]. S”A 670:3 rules this that it’s forbidden except for a Chacham. Mahariv, Magen Avraham (C”M 547) and Chaye Aam says nowadays we don’t have a Chacham. However the Maharamit, Birkei Yosef (C”M 15:2), Orach Mishpat 4:17 in name of Maharshal (Bava Kama 2), Nezirut Shimshon, Aruch HaShulchan, Shaar Shlomo Zorafa 135, and Sh”t Yabia Omer Y”D 9:46 allow it even nowadays.</ref> A teacher of Torah who set times to learn is considered a Chacham to eulogize on [[Chanukah]] during the Levayah. <Ref> Sh”t Shaar Shlomo Zorafa 135 and Yalkut Yosef (Kitzur S”A 670:6). </ref>
#  	One is not allowed to fast on [[Chanukah]]. If one’s parent’s Yehrzheit falls out on [[Chanukah]] (according to those who fast for one’s parent’s yehrzeit) one should fast one of the days prior to [[Chanukah]]. <Ref> S”A 670:1 based on [[Shabbat]] 21b says it’s forbidden to fast on [[Chanukah]]. </ref>
#	One is allowed to fast or do a eulogy the day before or after [[Chanukah]]. Some say that one should be strict not to fast the day before [[Chanukah]] Lechatchila. <Ref> S”A 686:1 based on Tosfot (Tanit 18) and Rosh (Megilah Perek Kama). However, Mishna Brurah 686:1 brings Bach and Pri [[Chadash]] that say one isn’t allowed to fast the day before [[Chanukah]]. Mishna Brurah 686:1 says that since it’s permitted to fast the day before and after [[Chanukah]] (S”A 686:1) one is allowed to do a eulogy because a eulogy is more lenient than a fast (Shaar Tzion 686:1). See further, Sh”t Har HaKarmel O”C 10, and Sh”t Divrei Moshe 1:37 </ref>   
# 	If one did fast on [[Chanukah]] one should make it up by fasting again after [[Chanukah]]. <Ref> S”A 568:5 </ref>
# 	One shouldn’t go to visit cemeteries during [[Chanukah]] (and especially [[Chol HaMoed]]) because it generates sadness and a eulogy of the deceased. One has what to rely on to visit the graves of Tzadikkim during [[Chanukah]] and [[Chol HaMoed]]. <Ref> Gesher HaChaim and Yalkut Yosef (Moadim pg 192) based on Bet Yosef (Y”D 344) who forbids going to cemeteries on [[Rosh Chodesh]]. Ben Ish Chai allows going to graves on Tzaddikim even on [[Chol HaMoed]] and Moed LeChol Chai argues that one shouldn’t go to the cemetery at all.</Ref>
# 	Some have the Minhag not to say [[Kaddish]] for their parents on [[Chanukah]], however it’s a wrong Minhag and one should continue saying [[Kaddish]] even on [[Chanukah]]. <Ref> Yalkut Yosef Moadim pg 193. </ref>

==Permitted and Forbidden activities on Chanuka==
#	There is a long standing practice that women wouldn’t do work during the half hour that the candles are lit. The practice is meant to highlight the fact that we don’t use the light of the candles for our benefit. One shouldn’t be lenient in this practice except for Ochel Nefesh needs for food such as [[cooking]] and baking. <ref> This practice is brought down by Tur and S”A (670:1), Aruch Hashulchan 670:8. Mor Ukesiah 670 explains that the practice is to show that it’s forbidden to use the light of the candles. The Taz 670:2 says that the custom is similar to their custom of abstaining from melacha on [[Rosh Chodesh]]. The basis for the custom on [[Rosh Chodesh]] is that the women did not participate in the sin of the Golden Calf so they were rewarded with the [[Rosh Chodesh]]. Similarly, since the miracle of [[Chanukah]] was brought about through the heroic actions of Yehudis, it is a worthy custom for women to commemorate this by abstaining from melacha. Chayei Adam [[Chanukah]] 154:3 also mentions the story of Yehudit as the basis for this custom. Eliyah Raba 670:2, Derech Chaim, Lekutei Mahrich Kaf HaChaim 670:8, and Mishna Brurah 670:4 say that it’s only forbidden during the half hour of lighting which is a mitzvah against the Magen Avraham 670:2 in name of the Maglei Tzedek who says that it applies as long as the candles are lit. Sh”t Kinyan Torah 7:52 writes if it forbidden for melacha by comparing the time to [[Yom tov]] melachot which are permitted on [[Yom Tov]] are permitted. This is also the opinion of Yalkut Yosef (Moadim pg 190) </ref>
#	Some had the Minhag not to do any work on [[Chanukah]] but this is a wrong Minhag and should be stopped because leads to excessive idleness. <Ref> So says Shiltei Giborim and Sh”t Chacham Tzvi 89 brought down by Mishna Burah 670:5 and Yalkut Yosef (Kitzur S”A 670:3). </ref>
==Related pages==
# See also [[Mourning]].
==Sources==
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[[Category:Chanukah]]
[[Category:Fasting]]
[[Category:Holidays]]
[[Category:Mourning]]