Question: May a mourner serve as the chazzan on minor holidays, such as Chanukah and Purim? What about even lesser holidays, such as Lag Ba’omer and Tu BeShevat? May he do so at Minchah or Ma’ariv on such days?
Discussion: Although from a halachic perspective, it is permitted for a mourner to serve as chazzan even on Shabbos and Yom Tov,215 the universally accepted custom is that a mourner does not do so.216
There are several reasons given in explanation of this custom:
We do not wish to arouse the Midas Hadin, which envelops a mourner, on days of elevated spirituality.217
It is inappropriate for one in a state of bereavement to lead the congregation on days of joy.218
A mourner should not serve as chazzan on days, such as Shabbos and Yom Tov, when the souls of the deceased are granted a reprieve from the punishments of gehinnom.219
To allow the congregation to enjoy a skilled or talented chazzan on Shabbos and Yom Tov.220
This custom applies during the entire twelve months221 following the death of a parent, and during the thirty-day period following the death of a wife, child, or sibling.222 The custom applies to all the Shabbos223 and Yom Tov tefillos, including Mussaf and Minchah. Some communities permit a mourner to lead the congregation for Korbanos224 and Pesukei Dezimrah,225 while others do not allow him to lead any part of the davening.226 Both customs are valid and either may be followed.227 In general, whenever a mourner is restricted from serving as a chazzan, it is recommended that a grandchild of the deceased take the mourner’s place.228
215 See Noda BeYehudah 1:32; Emes LeYa’akov, Yoreh Deah 376, footnote 228; Koveitz Teshuvos II:18. See Nishmas Yisrael II, p. 761 who cites additional views.
216 Rema, Yoreh Deah 376:4. This includes Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur (Mishnah Berurah 581, note 7). [There is no concern with a mourner serving as a ba’al korei (Zera Emes III:164). Even on Purim, the custom follows the view that a mourner may read the Megillah, including all of the blessings (see Halichos Shlomo, Purim 19, Devar Halachah 11; Ashrei Ha’ish, Orach Chaim III, 43:26; Shevet Halevi IX:146).]
217 Taz 660:2; Pri Megadim (Eishel Avraham) 581:4, as understood by Divrei Malkiel V:89.
218 Maharil 22; Maharam Mintz 43.
219 Binyamin Ze’ev 161, cited in Darkei Moshe, Yoreh Deah 376:9. It should be noted that besides for Shabbos and Yom Tov, there are sources that indicate that there is a reprieve from gehinnom on Rosh Chodesh, Chanukah, and Purim as well; see discussion in Divrei Yatziv IV:236. See also Mishmeres Shalom 33:1 regarding Chol Hamoed.
220 Responsa Rivam Shneituch 41.
221 Although a mourner is no longer a chiyuv to serve as chazzan during the weekdays of the twelfth month, he is still considered a mourner with regard to not serving as chazzan on Shabbos and Yom Tov; see Sha’ar Hatziyun 671, note 50.
222 Even if Yom Tov terminated the restrictions of sheloshim (Pri Megadim, Eishel Avraham 581:4; Mateh Ephraim 581:23).
223 In some Chassidic communities this custom begins with Minchah on erev Shabbos and erev Yom Tov; see Teshuras Shai I:432 and Da’as Torah, Yoreh Deah 376.
224 Levushei Mordechai, Yoreh Deah, Kama 220.
225 Eishel Avraham (Buczacz) 53:20. He notes that doing so affords no merit to the deceased aside from ensuring that the mourner will be present in shul to recite Kaddish. See also Pri Megadim, Mishbetzos Zahav 671:8.
226 Da’as Torah, Yoreh Deah 376, quoting Sha’arei Tzedek; Gesher Hachaim I, 23, 4:1.
227 Betzeil Hachochmah IV:16.
228 Halichos Shlomo, Tefillah 18, footnote 50.