Event-based omissions of Tachanun [Bris, Chasan, Avel, etc] – Summary

Event-based omissions of Tachanun [Bris, Chasan, Avel, etc] – Summary:

*The below is a mere summary of the laws which has been allocated from our lengthy individual articles on each subject. For the sake of brevity, we have not included all opinions or citations of Poskim, and sufficed with bringing the main ruling that is practiced. For further details, please visit our website and use the search bar to find your particular subject of further interest.

Introduction:

In halachic and liturgical discussions, there exist calendar-based omissions of Tachanun [such as Rosh Chodesh, month of Nisan, etc] and event-based omissions [i.e. Bris, Chasan, Avel etc]. The following article will summarize the customary practices and variations regarding the omission of Tachanun prayers on eventful occasions such as Pidyon Haben, weddings (Chasan days and Sheva Brachos), Shiva homes, Bar Mitzvahs, Hachnasas Sefer Torah, Siyum Mesechta, and Bris ceremonies, detailing when and for whom Tachanun is omitted during these significant events.

1. Bris:[1]

Shul in which the Bris will be taking place: Tachanun is omitted in a shul in which a Bris will be taking place that day, as the Mitzvah of Mila was accepted with joy.

Baal Bris present during Minyan: Tachanun is omitted in a Minyan in which the Baal Bris [i.e. father of child or Mohel, or Sandek] is participating in, even if the Bris will not be taking place in that Shul.

After the Bris: Tachanun is recited in the Mincha prayer if it is taking place after the Bris. This applies even in the Shul in which the Bris took place and even if the Baal Bris is present by the Minyan.

The Baal Bris: The Baalei Bris themselves do not recite Tachanun neither in Shacharis or Mincha on the day of the Bris, as it is their holiday. This applies even after the Bris has already taken place.

1. Chasan – Chasan on day of wedding:[2]

It is customary not to recite Tachanun in the presence of a Chasan on the day that he enters the Chupah. Tachanun is omitted for the entire day, during all that day’s prayers [Shacharis and Mincha], on the day he enters the Chupah. [Some Poskim however rule that the above only applies if the Chasan is getting married during the day. Practically, the widespread custom is that if the Chuppah is taking place during the day, Tachanun is not recited even by Shacharis. If the Chupah is taking place at night many communities are accustomed to recite Tachanun by Shacharis in such a case. The widespread custom in many Chabad communities is not to recite Tachanun even in Shacharis, even when the Chuppah is taking place at night. Each community is to follow the ruling of their Rav.] 

Days prior to day of Chupah: Tachanun is recited as usual in the presence of the Chasan on all days prior to the day he enters the Chupah.

Avoiding Davening in Shul: It is not necessary for the Chasan to avoid coming to Shul in order to allow the congregation to recite Tachanun, although some communities are accustomed to do so starting one to two days prior to the wedding.

Is Tachanun to be recited during Mincha at the wedding hall?[3] No. Tachanun is not recited even if the Chasan is not present in the Minyan.

1. Chasan – Chasan during days of Sheva Brachos:[4]

Tachanun is omitted in the presence of a Chasan throughout the seven days of Sheva Brachos being that they are considered for him like a festival.

How to count the seven days:[5] The seven days are calculated as 24 hour days from the moment of the conclusion of the Chuppa and onwards.

For how many days is Tachanun omitted for by a Zivug Sheiyni? Tachanun is omitted for three days after the wedding, for a period of 72 hours beginning from the end of the Chuppah. Thus, if the Chuppah ended on Monday at 7:00 PM, then Tachanun is omitted on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday until 7 PM.

1. Shiva home:[6]

Tachanun [Lamnatzeiach, Keil Erech Apayim, Tefila Ledavid before Shir Shel Yom] is omitted in the house of an Avel throughout the seven days of Shiva. [This applies by all the prayers; Shacharis, Mincha, Kerias Shema Sheal Hamita. This applies even if the Avel is not participating in the Minyan, such as the Avel is a woman or child[7], and applies to all the rooms of the Shiva home even if the Avel is not present in that room.[8]] Even after the Minyan is complete, and the congregation returns home, they are not required to make up the recital of Tachanun.

If a Minyan is taking place in the house of the deceased, but there are no Aveilim present who are sitting Shiva, is Tachanun to be recited?[9] If the deceased passed away in this home, then Tachanun is omitted. If, however, the deceased did not pass away in this home and there are no Aveilim in the home, then Tachanun is recited even though it is the house that the deceased lived in.

Is Tachanun recited on the seventh day of Shiva if the Minyan for Mincha is taking place in the Shiva home?[10] No.

1. If the Avel during Shiva comes to Shul to Daven, is Tachanun to be recited?

The Avel:[11] The Avel does not recite Tachanun during Shiva irrelevant of where he Davens.

The rest of the congregation: If an Avel is in a shul during the Shiva [and is not Davening for the Amud], some Poskim[12] rule that the congregation recites Tachanun. Other Poskim however rule that the entire congregation omits Tachanun just as is the law by a Chasan. [Practically, the rest of the congregation is to recite Tachanun, unless they have an accepted custom otherwise. If, however, the Avel is Davening for the Amud, according to all Tachanun is omitted. Likewise, if the congregation came to the Minyan in Shul specifically for the sake of the Avel, Tachanun is not recited.]

Avel is Davening in Shul for Mincha on 7th day: The custom is for everyone, including the Avel, to recite Tachanun.

1. Bar Mitzvah:

Some[13] communities are accustomed not to say Tachanun in the presence of a Bar Mitzvah boy on the day of his Bar Mitzvah, and so is the widespread Sephardic custom in Eretz Yisrael. Other[14] communities are accustomed to recite Tachanun on the day of the Bar Mitzvah, and so is the widespread Ashkenazi customs and so is the Chabad custom.

1. Hachnasas Sefer Torah:[15]

On a day in which a Hachnasas Sefer Torah will be celebrated, some communities do not omit Tachanun at all, while others only omit it by the prayer of Mincha, while others omit it the entire day. Practically, the Rebbe Rayatz states in a letter that it is to be omitted throughout the day. Tachanun is not recited in the shul in which the Hachnasas Sefer Torah will be taking place. Likewise, it is to be omitted in every Shul in the city if the Shul’s congregation will be participating in the rejoicing. If, however, the members of the congregation will not be participating in the rejoicing, as often occurs in large cities with many synagogues, then there is no reason to omit Tachanun.

1. Siyum Misechta:[16]

Some are accustomed not to recite Tachanun on a day of a Siyum Misechta. However, most people recite it.

1. Pidyon Haben:[17]

Tachanun is recited on the day of a Pidyon Haben, including by the father of the newborn. It is recited even in the presence of the newborn and even by the Mincha prayer that takes place by the Pidyon Haben ceremony. However, some[18] communities are accustomed not to say Tachanun by Mincha [or even Shacharis[19]] of the Pidyon Haben, just as they hold regarding Mincha by a Bar Mitzvah.[20] The Chabad custom is to recite Tachanun on the day of the Bar Mitzvah even by the venue of the Bar Mitzvah[21], and the same would apply to the Pidyon Haben.

[1] See Admur 131:5-6; Siddur Admur; Rama 131:1; Michaber O.C. 131:4; Y.D. 265:13; Ketzos Hashulchan 24:5; Shevach Habris 13; Piskeiy Teshuvos 131:17-19

[2] See Admur 131:5-6; Michaber and Rama 131:4

[3] Piskeiy Teshuvos 131:21

[4] Admur 131:6; Ketzos Hashulchan 24:6

[5] Admur 131:6; Ketzos Hashulchan 24:6

[6] Admur 131:5; Michaber 131:4; Taz 376:2; Ketzos Hashulchan 24:7

[7] Ketzos Hashulchan 24:7; Derech Hachaim

[8] Shulchan Hatahor 131:10; Ketzos Hashulchan 24:7; Piskeiy Teshuvos 131:16

[9] Ketzos Hashulchan 24:7 “House of deceased”

[10] Ketzos Hashulchan 24:7; Derech Hachaim; Daas Torah 131 in name of Sefer Hachaim

[11] M”B 131:30; Kitzur SHU”A 22:5; Kaf Hachaim 131:60; Ketzos Hashulchan 24:7

[12] Kneses Hagedola 131:15; Elya Raba 131:9; Chayeh Adam 32:33; Kitzur SHU”A 22:5; M”B 131:30; Ketzos Hashulchan 24:7; Poskim in Kaf Hachaim 131:60

[13] Custom of Egyptian Jewry, brought in Nehar Mitzrayim, Ketzos Hashulchan 24 footnote 19; Yabia Omer 1:27; 4:14; Yechaveh Daas 2:15; Yaskil Avdi 2:15; Mishpitei Uziel 11; See Piskeiy Teshuvos 131:24 footnote 141

[14] Az Nidbaru 11:40; See Piskeiy Teshuvos ibid

Chassidic custom: Some Chassidic communities do not recite Tachanun on the day of the Bar Mitzvah. [Darkei Chaim Veshalom 192]

[15] See Peri Hasadeh 3:184; Chasan Sofer Tefila 84; Yeishiv Moshe 338; Igros Kodesh Rayatz 6:71; Rivivos Efraim 5:176; Betzel Hachochma 3:5; Yalkut Yosef 131:34; Piskeiy Teshuvos 131:24; Nitei Gavriel 10:1

[16] See Piskeiy Teshuvos 131:24 footnote 142

[17] Minchas Yitzchak 8:11; See Piskeiy Teshuvos 131 footnote 140; Pidyon Haben Kehilchaso 8 footnote 17

[18] Peri Yeshurun on Tanya Rabasi 2:13; Minchas Yitzchak ibid that so is custom of some communities; Halichos Shlomo

[19] Peri Yeshurun ibid

[20] Custom of Egyptian Jewry, brought in Nehar Mitzrayim, Ketzos Hashulchan 24 footnote 19; Yabia Omer 1/27; 4/14; Yechaveh Daas 2/15; Yaskil Avdi 2/15; Mishpitei Uziel 11; See Piskeiy Teshuvos 131/24 footnote 141

[21] Igros Kodesh 25:169 that so is the custom of Israel; Az Nidbaru 11/40; See Piskeiy Teshuvos ibid

Chassidic custom: Some Chassidic communities do not recite Tachanun on the day of the Bar Mitzvah. [Darkei Chaim Veshalom 192]