Attending a funeral on the added day of Yom Tov

Hi,

A non-Israeli who is in Israel on the added day of Yom Tov may attend a funeral of a great person. [We distinguish because there are sufficient people to take care of the needs of a normal person, but for great people all are obligated to be involved.] One may even carry the casket.

(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Orach Chaim 3:77)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Eulogies on Chol haMoed

Hi,

Although the general rule is that eulogies are prohibited on Chol haMoed, there might be room to permit a halachic mourner to eulogize, since he is obligated to grieve and to show respect to the person who passed away.

(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Orach Chaim 1:165)

Have a good day,
Mordechai

Keriah on Chol haMoed

Hi,

If a burial takes place on the second day of Yom Tov, then mourners do not tear keriah until after the entire Yom Tov (including intervening chol hamoed days) concludes.

If a burial takes place on chol hamoed, though, then one tears keriah during the funeral on chol hamoed.

(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Orach Chaim 1:164)

Have a good day,
Mordechai

Funerals on Rosh Chodesh

Hi,

Because Rosh Chodesh is a day of celebration, funerals held that day are altered to remove the strongest elements of mourning. Specifically: tearful eulogies are removed, as well as the tzidduk hadin [acceptance of Divine judgment] normally recited before kaddish at the graveside.

(Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 420:2; Mishneh Berurah 420:2)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Funerals in a synagogue

Hi,

We have been learning about conduct in a synagogue.

Funerals should not be conducted in a synagogue, other than for community leaders and scholars, or their immediate family.

(Code of Jewish Law Orach Chaim 151:1; Mishneh Berurah 151:10)

Have a great day,
Mordechai