From the Rav’s Desk: May an Avel in the 12th month lead Selichos?

Post Views: 751

Question: [Tuesday, 24th Elul, 5782]

May an Avel who is within his 12th month of mourning [i.e. past 11 months, but before end of 12th month] lead the prayer of Selichos?

 

Answer:

He should not do so unless there is no one else available.

Explanation: While it is debated amongst Poskim whether a mourner who is within 11 months of mourning for a parent is to lead the prayers of Selichos, and any of the prayers of the 10 days of repentance, practically we rule that an Avel may and should do so. However, this debate is only regarding a mourner who is within 11 months of mourning for his parent, however a mourner who is within the 12th month of mourning, then since he is to specifically avoid saying Kaddish and avoid leading the prayers of the day during this month in order not to deem his parent a Rasha r”l, therefore, he should also avoid leading the prayer of Selichos, and should only do so if no one else is available. This is in addition to the fact that the attribute of severity hovers over an Avel and it is thus not fitting to have him be the messenger of the public during these days that require G-d’s mercy, as write the Poskim who negate the leading of Selichos even by an Avel who is within 11 months of mourning.

Sources: Poskim who rule an Avel may lead Selichos during the 11 months: Elya Raba 582 [end]; Noda Beyehuda 32; M”B 581:7; Kitzur SHU”A 128:8; Kaf Hachaim 581:33; Igros Kodesh 2:324; 8:236; 11:3 [brought in Shulchan Menachem 5:303]; Sefer Haminhagim p. 178 [English]; See Bach Yoreh Deah 384 that only mentions Shabbos; Yom Tov and Rosh Chodesh regarding the days an Avel avoids Davening for the Amud. Poskim who rule an Avel may not lead Selichos during the 11 months:  M”E 581:23; Teshuros Shaiy 531; Piskeiy Teshuvos 581 footnote 93 Poskim who rule an Avel may not lead prayers during the 12th month:  Rama 376:4; Kneses Hagedola 403 in name of Maharil 22; Rav Poalim 3:32; Nitei Gavriel 53:21 in name of Poskim; See Mateh Ephraim 4:2; Poskim in Nitei Gavriel 53:21; Shevet Halevi 3:161 writes one may do so on occasion

About The Author

Rabbi Yaakov Goldstein is a 6th generation descendent of the famous Chief Rabbi of Izhmir, Rav Yehoshua Avraham Krispin, who authored a number of Sefarim, and was a colleague of Rav Chaim Falagi, and father in-law of the Pesach Hadvir. He currently lives with his wife Shayna, and twelve children K”H, in Tzfas, Israel. Rabbi Goldstein received Semicha from Rabbi Schneur Zalman Labkowski of the Tomchei Temimim headquarters in 2005 and served as a chaplain in the Lotar/Kalatz and K9 unit of the IDF from years 2005-2008. He is also a certified Shochet, and has performed Hashgacha work in slaughterhouses. Rabbi Goldstein is the director of Shulchanaruchharav.com, the world’s leading web-based Halacha database, and is the director of the Home Study Semicha Program, a self-study web-based Semicha program. He is a prolific author of over 50 Sefarim studied by a wide range of readers throughout the world, which is used regularly in Semicha programs around the globe. He is a world renowned Posek, answering questions to a web-based market, and serves as a local Posek, Rav, and Lecturer, in the Tzemach Tzedek community Shul in Tzefas, Israel. His many classes can be heard both from his website, Vimeo and YouTube channel. Students can join live to classes given in the Tzemach Tzedek Shul, through the “בית חבד צפת Chabad Tsfat” YouTube channel.

Leave A Comment?

You must be logged in to post a comment.