Practices in the Mourner's House
From Halachipedia
Greeting Others
- Many poskim hold that it is permitted to greet someone other than the mourners in the house of an avel. [1]
Covering the Mirrors
- The minhag is to cover the mirrors in the mourner's house.[2]
Davening
- It is permitted for the mourner to say the regular order of davening including the Akeda, Korbanot, Eizhu Mekoman, Rabbi Yishmael, and Pesukei Dzimra[3] including Mizmor Ltodah[4] and Az Yashir[5], and Ketoret[6].
- A mourner for a parent can be a shaliach tzibbur but a mourner for another relative shouldn't be shaliach tzibbur unless no else who can do it.[7]
On Shabbat
- The minhag is to say Bameh Madlikin in a mourner's house on Shabbat.[8]
- In Uva Letzion at the mourner's house in mincha Shabbat they shouldn't skip the pasuk of v'ani zot otherwise it would be public mourning.[9]
- It is better not to say Tzidkatcha at Shabbat mincha a mourner's house.[10]
- It is proper to say Veyehey Noam on Motzei Shabbat in a mourner's house.[11]
- In havdalah a mourner can make a bracha on besamim.[12]
Sources
- ↑ Chazon Ovadia Aveilut v. 3 p. 28, Tzitz Eliezer (Ramat Rachel 5:51). See however Aruch Hashulchan 385 who is strict.
- ↑ Chazon Ovadia (Aveilut v. 3 p. 52) explains that the the minhag to cover the mirrors is based on the fact that people daven there and it is forbidden to daven in front of a mirror. He adds that the Chatom Sofer is quoted as saying that the covering of the mirrors functions in place of turning over the beds.
- ↑ Chazon Ovadia Aveilut v. 3 p. 1. By Tisha B'av, Shulchan Aruch 554:4 rules that a mourner can say his regular order of davening and it isn't prohibited because of learning.
- ↑ Chazon Ovadia Aveilut v. 3 p. 4. The Mishna Brurah 51:22 writes that Mizmor Ltodah is said on Tisha Bav.
- ↑ Chazon Ovadia Aveilut v. 3 p. 5. Kaf Hachaim 559:32 writes that the minhag is to say Az Yashir on Tisha Bav.
- ↑ Chazon Ovadia (Aveilut 3 p. 27). Kaf Hachaim 559:48 writes that on Tisha Bav it is permitted to say shir shel yom and ketoret.
- ↑ Shulchan Aruch YD 384:3 writes that a mourner shouldn't be the shaliach tzibbur unless no one else can do it. However, Rama 376 writes that it is more effective for a mourner to be a shaliach tzibbur than to say the mourner's kaddish. Maharam Shik 370 writes that it is permitted today for a mourner to be a shaliach tzibbur even according to Shulchan Aruch because the shaliacha tizbbur isn't fulfilling anyone's obligation. Chazon Ovadia v. 3 p. 6 rules that it is permitted for the mourner for a parent to be a shaliach tzibbur even if someone else could do it.
- ↑ Chazon Ovadia v. 3 p. 39 writes that the minhag is to say bameh madlikin in a mourner's home since Shabbat already started and there's no mourning publically on Shabbat. Also, it is permitted to learn in a mourner's house for the sake of the soul.
- ↑ Chazon Ovadia (Aveilut v. 3 p. 48) writes that during the week there is a difference of opinions whether v'ani zot is said in Uva Letzion. The Mahari Geyitz says not to say it and the Avudraham says that some said it. However, on Shabbat it should be said otherwise it would be public mourning.
- ↑ Chazon Ovadia (Aveilut v. 3 p. 49) quotes the Orchot Chaim and Avudraham who write that Tzidkatcha is said at Shabbat mincha. He explains though that they might be holding the Tzidkatcha is said on a day when there's no tachanun unless there is no hallel. However, Kaf Hachaim 292:18 writes that since there's tachanun in a mourner's house there's no Tzidkatcha.
- ↑ Ben Ish Chai (Vayetzei no. 6), Chazon Ovadia (Aveilut v. 3 p. 49)
- ↑ Chazon Ovadia v. 3 p. 50 permits making besamim in a mourner's home in havdalah. He quotes the Yaskil Avdi 6:19:2 who explains that even though the gemara moed katan 27a states that one shouldn't bring besamim to a mourner's house, since the besamim in havdalah is only for the mitzvah it is permitted. He adds that this was the minhag. However, he quotes that Rav Elyashiv (Shiurim moed katan 27a) that the mourner shouldn't make besamim in havdalah.
