Studying Torah in the House of Mourning
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Question
Shalom to the esteemed Rabbi, shlita. One of the participants in my daily Daf Yomi class, unfortunately, passed away, and his family requested that we hold the class in the mourner's tent during the shiva days. Indeed, yesterday the class took place, and naturally, the mourners also participated. Is this causing the mourners to stumble in the study of Torah? Thank you in advance, Meir Yitzhak Wind.
Answer
It is advisable to refrain from giving a class in Gemara or other Torah teachings in the house of mourning, even when the mourners do not participate in it.
It is appropriate to establish that they study Mussar and inspiration for the elevation of the deceased's soul.
If this would harm the mourners, there is room to be lenient, even if the mourners participate in the study out of ignorance.
Source
In the Gemara (Moed Katan 23a), it is stated: 'One does not say teachings and Aggadah in the house of mourning. It was said about Rabbi Chanania ben Gamliel that he would say teachings and Aggadah in the house of mourning.' In the Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh De'ah 378:7), the prohibition is brought as the words of the sages. According to this, one should not give a class in Gemara in the house of mourning, even when the mourners do not participate in the class. However, the Aruch HaShulchan (ibid. 68) mentions that others (not the mourners) have the custom to study in the house of mourning for the elevation of the deceased's soul.
In She'elot U'Teshuvot Yabia Omer (Part 4, Yoreh De'ah, Siman 29), no permission was found according to the author's ruling, but it is written that it can be said that they were lenient in mourning even against the author's words. Practically, it is written that one should study Mussar and inspiration.