עברית
Halachot and Customs
When to Observe the Yahrzeit on Shabbat
Question
My brother, may his memory be a blessing, passed away on the 19th of Tevet. This year it falls on Shabbat. When should I observe the yahrzeit?
Thank you very much
Answer
Greetings,
According to the custom of the Sephardim, it is preferable to observe the yahrzeit on Thursday or Friday. Nevertheless, it is also very commendable to increase in learning Torah and serving Hashem to the best of your ability on the date of passing (see Chazon Ovadia on Mourning, volume 3, pages 265-266, andYalkut Yosef Mourning, section M, paragraph 24).
According to the custom of the Ashkenazim, the yahrzeit customs should be conducted on Shabbat itself, and the candle for the soul should be lit before the onset of Shabbat (see Mishnah Berurah, section 568, note 49), and only the visit to the grave is advisable to be advanced to Friday (see Hilchot Shlomo on Festivals, Nissan-Av, chapter 1, note 93; Kovetz Mibeit Levi, volume 9, page 54, note 41 in the name of Rabbi Shmuel Wozner, may his memory be a blessing).
Wishing you good tidings,
Hillel Meirs
