Participation in Celebrations During the Year of Mourning
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Question
Hello and blessings! I am in the year of mourning for my father, of blessed memory. I have several questions regarding participation in various events, as follows: My sister is betrothing her daughter. Am I allowed to participate? If so, under what conditions? My brother is making a Bar Mitzvah for his son, am I allowed to participate in the Bar Mitzvah? If so, under what conditions? And am I allowed to participate in the Bar Mitzvah's aliyah to the Torah and the grand Kiddush?
Answer
Hello and blessings
It is permitted for a mourner to participate in celebrations and eat there, only if it is public mourning. For example, if he is a close relative and everyone knows he is not attending because of the mourning. Or if he prays in the synagogue where the Kiddush is held, and everyone knows he is leaving because of the mourning.
If the event is not on Shabbat, it is permitted to participate in the celebration without eating.