עברית
Halachot and Customs
Is it permissible to attend a circumcision during a year of mourning?
Question
My father passed away two months ago and my niece has a Brit milah on Monday. Is it permissible for me to attend the Brit? Thank you
Answer
Greetings,
If you are Sephardic, you are permitted to attend the brit - including the meal - as long as there are no musical instruments present. If you are Ashkenazi, you may not participate in the meal of the brit, but you are allowed to be present at the ceremony itself, provided that there are no musical instruments.
Sources: For the custom of Sephardim, see the book Hazon Ovadia on mourning, part 2 (page 261), and the book Meor Yisrael on the Talmud, part 1 (pages 350-352).
Regarding the custom of Ashkenazim, see the *Rama* in Yoreh De'ah (section 179, paragraph 2). It is permitted to be present at the brit outside of the meal, as stated in Gesher HaChaim, part 1 (chapter 21, paragraph 8, note 5). It is also cited in the name of Rabbi Yosef Shalom Elyashiv, of blessed memory, in the book Asheri Ha'ish, part Yoreh De'ah, part 2 (chapter 89, paragraph 27).
Best wishes,
Hillel Meirs
