Circling with the Lulav during the Year of Mourning
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Question
Is it permissible for a mourner within a year of their father's passing to circle with the Lulav around the Bimah?
Answer
Sephardim customarily circle as usual. Ashkenazim have the custom that they do not circle, and it is preferable for them to stand with the Torah on the Bimah.
Source
Rema, Siman 660, Seif 2: "One who experiences mourning during the festival does not circle; similarly, during the twelve months of mourning for a father or mother (Kol Bo), and this is the custom." The Mishnah Berurah there, SK 9, writes in the name of the Gra that this is because it is written, "and you shall rejoice before the Lord your God," and this is during the circling.
In Beit Yosef, he writes about this custom: "It is astonishing why they should lose the circling, and so it is customary to circle even for the mourner himself."
In Chayei Adam (Klal 148, Seif 19), he writes: "The one who circles while in mourning does not lose, and the reward for the mitzvah is in his hand."
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