Some Laws of Mourning on the Day a Great Leader of Israel Passes Away
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Question
We planned to have a birthday party today. Is it permissible to hold it?
Answer
This day is a day of mourning, and therefore events and celebrations should not be held on it. It is preferable to postpone it to tomorrow, and if not possible, at least after sunset.
Source
The Rambam wrote in the Laws of Mourning, Chapter 9: "When a Nasi (president) dies, everyone tears their garments and removes shoes from both hands, and all study halls cease their activities, and members of the synagogue enter the synagogue on Shabbat and read seven, and do not walk in the market but sit in families, mourning all day."
The Beit Yosef wrote in Siman 374 that a great leader of the generation who dies has the status of a Nasi. Or at least, as his distinguished teacher.