DailyHalacha.com for Mobile Devices Now Available

Halacha is For Refuah Shelemah for
 Yehudis Bas Milcah Leah
"And an especially Happy Happy Birthday!"

Dedicated By
Her Loving Sister

Click Here to Sponsor Daily Halacha
      
(File size: 500 KB)
Hanukah – Eulogies, Fasting and Visiting Cemeteries During Hanukah

It is forbidden to deliver eulogies during Hanukah. The exception to this rule is a eulogy delivered for a Torah scholar at his funeral, which may be delivered during Hanukah. A eulogy for a Torah scholar may also be delivered on Hanukah when the news of his death first arrives, even if this occurs well after his passing (based on Shulhan Aruch – Yore De’a 401:4).

It is similarly forbidden to observe a fast during the holiday of Hanukah. Even in communities that follow the custom to fast on the anniversary of a parent’s death, one whose parent died during Hanukah may not fast on that day.

In a case where one’s family member passed away on Hanukah, Heaven forbid, before the burial he has the status of "Onen" and therefore should not light the Hanukah candles. His wife or other member of his household should light the candles in his stead, with a Beracha. If, however, there is nobody else available to light the candles, then the "Onen" should light without reciting a Beracha. This is the ruling of the Kaf Ha’haim (Orah Haim 470:20).

One should not visit a cemetery during Hanukah, even on the anniversary of a parent’s passing. If one’s parent passed away during Hanukah, he should visit the gravesite before Hanukah, rather than during the holiday. It is permissible, however, to pray at the graves of Sadikim during Hanukah.

The Kaf Ha’haim (Orah Haim 470:26) records a custom to recite seven times after lighting the Hanukah candles the verse of "Vi’hi No’am" (Tehilim 90:17) followed by the chapter of "Yosheb Be’seter" (Tehilim 91). He writes that this recitation is a Segula ("charm") for protection from harm.

 


Recent Daily Halachot...
Decorating Homes and Synagogues With Flowers on Shabuot
Shabuot – The Special Quality of the Month of Sivan; A Reason for Eating Dairy Products on Shabuot
Giving Charity on Erev Shavuot
Shabuot – Netilat Yadayim, Birkat Ha’Torah and the Bedtime Shema
Shabuot – Shaharit and Musaf on Shabuot Morning
Giving Charity Before Shabuot; Learning on Shabuot Night
Shabuot – Reasons for the Custom to Decorate the Synagogue with Flowers
Shabuot-Preparing When Shavuot Falls Out On Mosaeh Shabbat
Shabuot-Is it Permissible to Donate Blood or Have Elective Surgery on Ereb Shabuot?
Shavuot- Should One Repeat Beracha Rishona for Beverages Throughout The Night While Studying Shavuot Night
Shabuot – The Two Different Versions of the Te’amim for the Ten Commandments
Shabuot – The Halachot of Berachot Over Food and Drinks During Shabuot Night; Reciting Birkat Ha’Torah on Shabuot Morning
If an Israeli Resident is Spending Yom Tob in the Diaspora
Shabuot – The Custom to Remain Awake Throughout the Night
Pesah – How Soon After Pesah May One Eat the Hametz Which He Had Sold?
Page of 239
3585 Halachot found