עברית
Halachot and Customs
Is There an Obligation to Hold a Memorial Service at 11 Months?
Question
With the help of Heaven,
Hello Rabbi,
My mother passed away on the 27th of Av 5779, and I would like to know when we hold the memorial services for 11 months and 12 months, and are we obligated to do so at 11 months?
I would appreciate your response to my question.
Yossi Pichon
Answer
Dear Yossi,
You should hold the memorial service for 12 months on Monday, the 27th of Av. Among Sephardim, there is a custom to also hold a memorial at the completion of 11 months, which falls on Sunday, the 27th of Tammuz.
Sources: See Yalkut Yosef on Mourning (Section M, Note 3) where it says that some have the custom to hold a meal on the night of the completion of 11 months, and on the night of the completion of 12 months. They also study for the elevation of the soul of the deceased, and everyone should do according to their community's custom. However, the primary memorial is at the conclusion of 12 months, and the practice of holding a memorial on the night of the 11 months is merely a custom. Therefore, if there is any difficulty in holding a meal on the night of the 11 months, it is possible to suffice with studying or similar activities, and hold the meal at the conclusion of the 12 months.
Wishing you the best,
Hillel Meirs
