Tachanun, Funerals and fasting on Lag Baomer

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Tachanun:

Tachanun [and Lamnatzeiach and Keil Erech Apayim[1]] is omitted on Lag BaOmer.[2] It is omitted beginning from Mincha of the 17th of Iyar [Erev Lag BaOmer].[3] One who says Tachanun on this day arouses Divine judgment against himself.[4] When Lag Baomer falls on Sunday, Tzidkascha Tzedek is omitted from Mincha of Shabbos.[5]

 

Q&A

Does an Avel Daven for the Amud on Lag BaOmer?

Yes, and so is the Chabad custom.[6] Others[7] however are accustomed that an Avel is not Chazzan on any day that Tachanun is omitted.

 

Funerals:

Eulogy/Hesped:[8] One does not say a Hesped on any day that Tachanun is omitted[9], including Lag Baomer, unless the person is a Torah Sage, and his body is present at the time of the Hesped.[10]

Tziduk Hadin:[11] One does not say Tziduk Hadin, or the Kaddish that follows it, on any day that Tachanun is omitted, including Lag Baomer, [unless the person is a Torah Sage[12]].

Erev Lag Baomer: Some Poskim[13] rule it is forbidden to eulogize or say Tziduk Hadin and Kaddish[14] on Erev Lag Baomer starting from midday. Other Poskim[15] however rule it is permitted to eulogize and say Tziduk Hadin on Erev Lag Baomer even past midday.

 

Q&A

May a Matzeiva [tombstone] be established on Lag Baomer?[16]

This may not be done if eulogies will take place during the occasion.

 

Fasting:[17]

One is not to fast on Lag Baomer, as is the law regarding any day in which Tachanun is omitted.

 

Q&A

Is a Chasan and Kallah who are getting married on Lag BaOmer to fast on that day?

Some Poskim[18] rule a Chasan and Kallah are to fast on Lag Baomer. Other Poskim[19] however rule that they are not to fast on any day that Tachanun is omitted. In a case of need, such as a Chasan/Kallah who is very weak, one may be lenient.[20]

 

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[1] See Chapter 3 Halacha 2 for the sources on this matter

[2] Admur 493:5; Rama 493:2

[3] Siddur Admur; 2nd opinion mentioned in 493:5; Beir Heiytiv 493:5; M”B 493:9

Ruling of Admur in Shulchan Aruch and other opinions: The 1st opinion Admur ibid records states that the mourning customs are followed during the night of Lag BaOmer up until after day break being that Lag BaOmer is the 33rd day of mourning, and even on this day there were some students who died [and hence reached the grand total of 24,000 deaths]. The mourning customs end after daybreak of Lag BaOmer, being we always apply the rule of Miktzas Hayom Kikulo to the last day of mourning, as explained in Yoreh Deah 395:1. According to this opinion, from that time and onwards the mourning customs are no longer followed. [Admur ibid; Rama 493:2] According to this opinion Tachanun is recited by Mincha of Erev Lag BaOmer. So also rules: Kneses Hagedola 493:1; Elya Raba 493:7; Beis David 280; Kitzur SHU”A 120:6; M”B 493:11

[4] See Ateres Zekeinim 493 that after bringing the story of Reb Avraham Halevi and the Arizal [recorded above] he concludes “We thus see one is not to say Tachanun on this day”

[5] Levush 493; See Admur 292:7; Siddur Admur; M”A 292:3-4; Darkei Moshe 292; Tur 292

[6] See Sefer Haminhagim p. 20 and 68 [English];

[7] Darkei Chaim Veshalom 634; See P”M 108 in M”Z and 671 M”Z 8; Minhagei Chasam Sofer 1:14; Biur Halacha 132

[8] See Michaber 420:1 and 670:3 and Y.D. 401:5; Taz 420:1; M”A 420:1 and 548:8; Admur 429:8 regarding the month of Nissan; Chochmas Adam 169:25 [unlike Chayeh Adam 118:7]; Kaf Hachaim 420:1; Nitei Gavriel Aveilus 52:3

[9] This law if learned from the law brought in Poskim ibid that women do not lament by funerals during these days. It is also learned from the Poskim in next Halacha who prohibit saying Tziduk Hadin on any day that Tachanun is omitted, and if Tziduk Hadin is omitted than certainly a Hesped may not be said. [See Taz ibid that a Hesped is more severe than Tziduk Hadin as Tziduk Hadin is “not a eulogy but recognition and acceptance of the Divine decree” and hence some opinions allow Tziduk Hadin; See also M”A 548:8 that one may not even say praise of the dead because this can lead to a eulogy.]

[10] Michaber Y.D. 401:5; See Admur ibid; Taz and M”A ibid; Chochmas Adam 169:25 [unlike Chayeh Adam 118:7]

[11] Rama 420:2 and Y.D. 401:6; Maharitz Geios; See Kaf Hachaim 420:2

Other opinions: Some Poskim rule that Tziduk Hadin and Kaddish is recited on Lag Baomer being it is not considered a eulogy but merely a blessing to Hashem. [Michaber 420:2; Opinions in Tur 420; Talmidei Rashi; Rambam] Practically, each community is to follow their custom, and in a place where there is no set custom, it is better not to say it. [Kaf Hachaim ibid]

[12] Taz 420:1 that the Rama passed away on Lag Baomer of the year 5333 [שלג] and they were in question as to whether they should say Tziduk Hadin, at which point a prestige Sage stepped forward and stated that he heard from the Rama that one may say Tziduk Hadin on an important Sage, and so he went ahead and said it in a loud voice. [Taz ibid]

[13] Rama 420:2 regarding Erev Shabbos after midday, and the same would apply to Erev Lag Baomer being Tachanun is omitted starting from midday; P”M 420 A”A 1 that so is custom of Prague and other cities; Maareh Kohen Y.D. 401:2

[14] The reason: As this comes to lead one to eulogize. [M”B 420:3]

Other opinions: Some Poskim rule that Tziduk Hadin and Kaddish is recited on Erev Rosh Chodesh and even on Rosh Chodesh being it is not considered a eulogy but merely a blessing to Hashem. [Michaber 420:2; Opinions in Tur 420; Talmidei Rashi; Rambam] Practically, each community is to follow their custom, and in a place where there is no set custom, it is better not to say it. [Kaf Hachaim 420:1]

[15] Shach Y.D. 401:2; Beir Heiytiv 401:1; Nitei Gavriel Aveilus 52:15

[16] See Maharsham 2 Hakdama [established a Matzeiva for his wife on Lag Baomer]; Dvar Yehoshua 1:80; Minchas Yitzchak 3:51-52 in name of Levushei Mordechai and 4:107; Kinyan Torah 2:122; Nitei Gavriel 16:3; Piskeiy Teshuvos 697:1

[17] See M”A 573:1; P”M 568 A”A 19; M”B 568:37 and 573:7; Ashel Avraham Butchach 573 that one does not fast on any day that Tachanun is omitted

[18] M”A 573:1; Chayeh Adam 132:43; Kitzur SHU”A 146:2; M”B 573:7

[19] Elya Raba 573:3 in name of Nachalas Shiva; M”B ibid in name of Yeish Makilim; Mishmeres Shalom 38:3; Ashel Avraham Butchach ibid

[20] Mateh Efraim 625:2; Daas Torah 573; Piskeiy Teshuvos 493:9

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