Chanukat HaBayit During the Nine Days: Is It a Seudat Mitzvah?

Is doing a Chanukat HaBayit considered a Seudat Mitzvah, and may I do it during the Nine Days?

Thank you for your question.

The answer:
According to halacha, one is allowed to make a Chanukat HaBayit in Eretz Yisrael (especially if one does not serve meat or wine during the meal). However, the custom is not to make a Seudat Chanukat HaBayit during the Nine Days.

The answer explained:

This is a very interesting topic—whether we can consider a Chanukat HaBayit a Seudat Mitzvah or not.
 This would depend on where you live, since in Eretz Yisrael a Chanukat HaBayit is considered a Seudat Mitzvah. However, in Chutz LaAretz it would only be considered a Seudat Mitzvah if one says Divrei Torah at the meal.

This is based on the Magen Avraham, who writes that in Eretz Yisrael it is considered a Seudat Mitzvah. He brings in the name of the Yam Shel Shlomo on Bava Kamma, Perek 7, Siman 37, that even in Chutz LaAretz—if one chooses to begin living in his home and, instead of simply making a party he says Divrei Torah—then it would also be considered a Seudat Mitzvah.
 This is a quote from the Magen Avraham.

מגן אברהם על שולחן ערוך אורח חיים הלכות תענית סימן תקסח

וכ' בס' ב"ש דחנוכת הבית בא"י הוי סעודת מצוה אבל לא בח"ל וביש"ש ספ"ז דב"ק כ' אם לא הניח תחלה לשתות בביתו ולנהוג קלות ראש רק שעושה סעודה לחנכו תחלה לומר בו ד"ת ולדרוש בו מעין המאורע הוי סעודת מצוה עכ"ל: אי' סוף ברכות כל הנהנה מסעודה שת"ח שרוי בתוכו כאלו נהנה מזיו השכינה:

So the question is: if a Seudat Chanukat HaBayit is considered a Seudat Mitzvah, why then is the custom not to hold it during the Nine Days?

Hagaon Harav Fried Shlit”a writes two reasons for this custom:

1. Since such meals are generally a big celebration and are considered a simcha yeteirah (excessive rejoicing), they are therefore not appropriate during the Nine Days.
2. The reason we mourn during the Nine Days is because of the destruction of the holy Beit HaMikdash, the House of Hashem, the resting place of the Shechinah, which is now in exile. So, it would not be appropriate to celebrate moving into a new home at a time when we are mourning the destruction of the Beit HaMikdash, the home of Hashem.

We can also discuss whether making a Seudat Chanukat HaBayit after one has already entered the home would still be considered a Seudat Mitzvah—this is referred to as shelo bizmano (not at the proper time).

One could argue that since this is not the actual time of moving in, and one could choose another time to make the meal, it would therefore not be permissible to do so during the Nine Days. This is the opinion of the Maharim Brisk (Volume 2, Siman 68), who holds that since it is shelo bizmano, one may not make it during the Nine Days.

However, lehalacha, Hagaon Harav Fried says that it would still be considered a Seudat Mitzvah, even if it is done shelo bizmano. This is based on the Sha'ar HaTziyon, Siman 668, subsection 23:

שער הציון סימן תקסח ס"ק כג

דהמור וקציעה וכן בספר בית מאיר מסיק דשלא בזמנה הוי גם כן סעודת מצוה ועל כן מותר לעשות ביום, וכן כתב החיי אדם:

The Mor U'Ketziah, as well as the Beit Meir, conclude that even when a [seudat Purim] meal is held not on its proper day, it is still considered a seudat mitzvah (a mitzvah meal), and therefore it is permitted to hold it during the day. The Chayei Adam writes similarly.

The same applies to a Bar Mitzvah seudah that is held shelo bizmano (not on the actual day). Just as it is permissible to celebrate on the actual day of the boy’s birthday, it would likewise be permissible to celebrate shelo bizmano—if the Bar Mitzvah boy gives a Torah speech, making it a Seudat Mitzvah. (It also follows the same halachot as a Bar Mitzvah celebrated bizmano—regarding who is allowed to participate and eat meat and drink wine during the seudah). 

Wishing you all the best.

Magen Avraham – Orach Chaim 568:10

Yam Shel Shlomo – Bava Kamma, Perek 7, Siman 37

Sha’ar HaTziyon – Siman 668, Se’if Katan 23

Maharim Brisk – Volume 2, Siman 68

Azamroh Lishmecho issue # 296