Onen: Difference between revisions

==Exemption from Mitzvot==

# An onen is exempt from doing any mitzvah,<ref>Gemara Brachos 17b and Moed Katan 23b, Rambam (Hilchot Avel 4:6), Mishna Brurah 71:4. Rabbeinu Yonah to Rif Brachos 10b mentions the possibility that an onen is only expempt from mitzvos requiring special intent, such as [[Shema]] and [[Tefillah]], but this opinion has not been accepted.</ref> either because he is considered preoccupied with the mitzvah of burying his relative<ref>Cf. Rashi to Brachos 17b s.v. "mi shemeiso" and Toras HaOlah "Inyan Aninus." Levush Y.D. 341 writes that even a relative who is not actively involved in taking care of the burial is still mentally preoccupied enough to apply the principle of עוסק במצוה פטור מן המצוה</ref> or out of respect for the deceased.<ref>Yerushalmi Brachos 3:1, Tosfos Brachos 17b. This is the explanation preferred by Chachmas Adam 157:5</ref>

# An onen may not decide on his own to perform mitvzos even if (s)he wants to do so<ref>This is the opinion of the Yerushalmi, as quoted by Tosfos Brachos 18a, against the implication of Rashi there, both of which are quoted in Shulchan Aruch Y.D. 341:1. However, Mishnah Berurah O.C. 78:7 understands the Shulchan Aruch's actual opinion to be like the Yerushalmi. If aninus is derabanan (which is almost certainly the case after nightfall of the day of death), then perhaps one would still be obligated in mitzvos that would be actively violated, see Kovetz HeAros Yevamos #69 and Pri Megadim's Pesicha Koleles 2:28. The Noda BiYhudah believes that the onen is allowed to count [[Sefirat HaOmer]] in order so as not to lose out on counting the whole sefirah, and R. Shlomo Kluger (Sefer HaChayim no. 71) uses similar reasoning to say that an onen is permitted to recite Kiddush Levanah if others are taking care of the burial.</ref>

# An onen is exempt from all [[brachot]], and can therefore eat without making any [[Birchot]] HaNehenin. <ref>The Rash MeShantz (Mishna Damai 1:4 s.v. UMazminin Alav) implies that an onen is obligated to say [[brachot]] for himself but may not exempt others, although his position is against that of Rashi and Tosfos to Brachos 18a. The Mishna Brurah 71:4 paskens that an onen is exempt from all [[brachot]].</ref>

# An onen is permitted to wear his tallit kattan as usual, but should not make a bracha on it.<ref>Minchas Shelomo 1:91:25</ref>

# Some say that a person who became an onen after the time for [[Shacharit]] or [[Mincha]] began and didn’t yet pray is obligated to pray a [[Tashlumin]]<ref> Mishna Brurah 71, Magen Giborim and Derech HaChaim</ref> although some argue.<ref>Yad Efrayim (Aninut 29), Birkei Yosef 341:17, Chachmat Shlomo  71, and Sh”t Shevet HaLevi 6:11 hold that one is exempt from [[Tashlumin]].</ref>

==Aninus on Shabbos or Yom Tov==

# The generally accepted pesak is that there is no aninus on Shabbos or Yom Tov,<ref>Shulchan Aruch Y.D. 341:1 based upon the Rosh</ref> and so an onen still performs all the usual mitzvos and brachos, including going to shul, on Shabbos or Yom Tov.<ref>Against what is written in the Yerushalmi Brachos 3:1. The Shulchan Aruch paskens that this is true if the onen is not doing anything at all to get ready for the burial on Shabbos or Yom Tov. If the onen is preparing for the burial on Shabbos or Yom Tov in a manner that is permitted, then the Shulchan Aruch writes that such a person would be a full onen even on Shabbos. Regarding Yom Tov Sheni of the diaspora, see Igros Moshe O.C. 3:76 who insists that today burials should not be performed on Yom Tov Sheni even by non-Jews.</ref>