Mourning and Fasting on Chanukah and Purim: Difference between revisions

==Mourning and Fasting on Chanuka==

# 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>

# 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>

==Mourning and Fasting on Purim==

# Someone in shiva on Purim doesn't observe aveilut publicly but does so private like he would on Shabbat ([[Aveilut on Shabbat]]).<ref>Shulchan Aruch YD 401:7. Shach 401:4 writes that there is a contradiction in Shulchan Aruch between YD and OC and he concludes that we follow what it says in YD that there is no aveilut on Purim except in private.</ref>

# It is forbidden to send Mishloach Manot to someone who is in aveilut for the duration of the 12 months for a parent or thirty days of another relative.<ref>Rama 696:6. Mishna Brurah 696:20 explains that the reason it is forbidden is because it is forbidden to greet the mourner within the 12 months of mourning a parent so too it is forbidden to send them a gift.</ref> Many are lenient to send Mishloach Manot after the first thirty days for someone mourning a parent.<ref>Gesher Hachaim 1:21:7:10 based on the minhag of greeting a mourner during the 12 months.</ref> Sephardim hold it is permitted to send mishloach manot to a mourner.<ref>Chazon Ovadia Purim p. 193 writes that since Shulchan Aruch YD 401:7 writes there's no mourner on Purim he can even receive Mishloach Manot. Chazon Ovadia Avelut v. 2 p. 251 reiterates this point.</ref>

# If a woman is in mourning it is permitted for the friends of the husband to send him Mishloach Manot since he's not in mourning.<ref>Chazon Ovadia p. 194</ref>