Practices in the Mourner's House: Difference between revisions

# It is permitted for the mourner to say the regular order of davening including the Akeda, Korbanot, Eizhu Mekoman, Rabbi Yishmael, and Pesukei Dzimra<ref>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. </ref> including Mizmor Ltodah<ref>Chazon Ovadia Aveilut v. 3 p. 4. The Mishna Brurah 51:22 writes that Mizmor Ltodah is said on Tisha Bav.</ref> and Az Yashir<ref>Chazon Ovadia Aveilut v. 3 p. 5. Kaf Hachaim 559:32 writes that the minhag is to say Az Yashir on Tisha Bav.</ref>, and Ketoret<ref>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.</ref>.

# 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.<ref>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.</ref>

# A Sephardic cohen who is in mourning doesn't do birkat kohanim during shiva but should leave the shul when the shaliach tzibbur called kohanim.<ref>Shulchan Aruch 128:43</ref> On Shabbat he does if he's the only kohen in the shul so that it doesn't appear to be public mourning on Shabbat.<ref>Chazon Ovadia (Aveilut v. 3 p. 8)</ref> Ashkenazim hold that a kohen who is in mourning for the entire shloshim or for a parent for the entire 12 months doesn't do birkat kohanim.<Ref>Rama 128:43</ref>

# There is no tachanun in a mourning's house even if the mourner isn't there.<ref>Bet Yosef 131:4 quotes the Shibolei Haleket who says that there's no mourning in a mourner's home because mourning is compared to Yom Tov. However, the Levush writes that there's no tachanun since it isn't appropriate to bring up Hashem's attribute of justice in the mourner's house. Shulchan Aruch OC 131:4 rules that there's no tachnun in a mourner's house. Chazon Ovadia (Aveilut v. 3 p. 14) writes that potentially a practical difference between these two reasons is whether there is tachanun if the mourner isn't there. He concludes that the minhag is not to say tachanun even if the mourner isn't there. Mishna Brurah 131:20 writes that the Eliyah Rabba wasn't sure if they should say tachanun if the mourner isn't there.</ref> The congregation doesn't need to make it up afterwards when they go home.<ref>Mishna Brurah 131:20. He adds that for Vehu Rachum one should make it up at home but there's some who are lenient even about that.</ref>