Cessation of Work During the Funeral of Rabbi Gershon Edelstein
Question
Is there an obligation to close the store during the funeral?
Answer
In Bnei Brak, it is forbidden to engage in work, but outside the city, it is permitted.
Source
Talmud Moed Katan, page 27b: "And Rav Yehuda said in the name of Rav: If there is a death in the city, all the city's inhabitants are forbidden to work. Rav Hamnuna visited Dromita, heard the sound of the shofar announcing a death. He saw people working and said to them: 'May you be cursed! Is there not a death in the city?' They replied: 'There is a group in the city that handles burials.' He said to them: 'If so, it is permitted for you.'
Similarly, the Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh De'ah, Laws of Mourning, Chapter 343, Section 1, rules: 'If there is a death in the city, all the city's inhabitants are forbidden to work, as anyone who sees a deceased and does not accompany him until he is fully buried is subject to excommunication. If there are groups in the city, each handling burials on their day, it is permitted on the day that is not theirs. This applies when the body is not being taken out, but when it is being taken out, all must cease work, as stated later.'
And since all Jews are obligated to accompany him, it is considered that there are not enough people, and work is forbidden in his city.
