The question is asked in Halacha regarding the laws of Avelut, (the laws of mourning) on Chanukah. Do mourners say the Hallel while in the first seven days of mourning in the home?
Well we know that when it comes to Rosh Chodesh, our custom is that mourners do not say Hallel. There are different reasons given. One reason is because the deceased is by the house during this time and it says in the Pasuk, "Lo Hametim Yehaliluya," that the dead can not praise G-d. Therefore it would be considered as if you are teasing the deceased when you are saying the Hallel that he can’t say. So on Rosh Chodesh it’s clear that mourners do not say the Hallel.
The question today is about Chanukah. The Mishna Berura written by the Chafetz Cahyim says that mourners also don’t say it on Chanukah (Orach Hayim 131:20). However, Rav Chida (Rav Chaim Yoseif David Azulai 1724-1806) wants to say there’s a difference between Chanukah and Rosh Chodesh. Since Hallel of Chanukah is by decree as opposed to Rosh Chodesh which is by custom, so the therefore the mourners would say Hallel on Chanukah in the home of a mourner with a Beracha. (Shut Mahazik Beracha, siman 683.)
Our custom on Rosh Chodesh, is that mourners would not say Hallel, but the rest of the people in the Minyan do say the Hallel. The mourners would usually walk into a different room, and the congregants would stay in the same room. Sometimes the mourners can stay in the same room. The Rabbis can determine that based on where the deceased passed away. If the death occurred in the house, then they should walk out. But if he died outside the house, then the mourners can stay in the room while Hallel is being recited.
So Halacha Lema’ase- Hallel can be said by the mourners on Chanukah, even though they do not say it on Rosh Chodesh. (See Chayim VaHessed by Rabbi Shemuel Pinchasi, page 145.)
Another question regarding mourners is whether or not you can make an Arayat (remembrance) on Chanukah? For example, the 30 days are up or let’s say it’s the anniversary and you want to make a Tehilim reading and the speeches. Can it be done on Chanukah? The Halacha says that it is permissible. Since the whole purpose of the Arayat is to bring people back to Teshuva, and to inspire them, and to motivate them, and to speak Divre Torah, so it’s not considered mourning on the holiday. On the contrary, it’s inspiration. Therefore the Halacha- if one wants to schedule a reading for the deceased on Chanukah itself, it would be permissible. (See Chayim VaHessed by Rabbi Shemuel Pinchasi, page 336.)
