Halachic sources addressing the restrictions placed on an avel (mourner) during the Days of Judgment, including limitations on leading services and performing ritual roles such as blowing the shofar.
ואבל אסור לעבור לפני התיבה בר״ה ויוה״כ
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What the sources say
The available passage from Nitei Gavriel, Rosh HaShana 12 addresses the prohibition of speaking between Selichot and Nefilat Apayim, not the question of an avel serving as baal tokeah.
The closest relevant ruling in the retrieved texts comes from Mishnah Berurah 581, which states that an avel within twelve months of a parent's passing (or thirty days for other relatives) may not serve as the shaliach tzibbur on Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur, though he is permitted to lead during the days of Selichot — and that if no other chazan is available, he is permitted even on Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur.
Iggerot Moshe, Orach Chayim 3:76 is not available in text for Mekoros to read, but our research indicates that he addresses shofar practice and communal observance that may bear on qualifications and service roles of the baal tokeah in this source.
משנה ברורה תקפ״א
Mishnah Berurah 581
Covers the laws of the Days of Judgment and the shofar, including who may serve in shofar-related roles and the broader communal framework for blowing shofar.
(ז) ואבל אסור וכו' - אבל תוך י"ב חודש על אביו ואמו [או תוך שלשים על שאר קרובים] אסור לעבור לפני התיבה בר"ה ויוה"כ דהא דינם כרגלים לכל מילי אבל בימי הסליחות אפילו בער"ה ועשי"ת מותר [ובדליכא' חזן אחר שרי אפילו בר"ה ויוה"כ].
אגרות משה, או"ח ג׳:ע״ו
Iggerot Moshe, Orach Chayim 3:76
A responsum-style treatment of shofar practice and communal observance that may bear on qualifications and service roles of the baal tokeah.
Igros Moshe is not freely available in text. This PDF surfaced in our research. Please use the feedback buttons below to help us improve.
נטעי גבריאל, ראש השנה סי׳ י״ב
Nitei Gavriel, Rosh HaShana 12
One should not converse between Selichot and Tachanun, since Nefilat Apim completes the tikun (rectification) of the prayer, though it is permitted to answer Amen and similar responses.
אין לדבר בין הסליחות לנפילת אפים כי נפ"א הוא גמר התיקון של התפלה אבל אמנים וכדומה מותר לענות
On this pageChapter 12 discusses the laws of Tachanun (Nefilat Apim) during Selichot. It rules that one should not converse between Selichot and Tachanun, outlines the proper posture and direction for leaning during Nefilat Apim (differing based on whether one is wearing Tefillin or following Kabbalistic customs), and states that an individual still reciting Selichot should pause to say Tachanun together with the congregation. The passage discusses the laws of reciting Tachanun during Selichot, ruling that it is omitted if a groom (chatan) or a Ba'al Berit (the father, sandek, or mohel of a circumcision) is present. It also addresses the custom of Nefilat Apayim (falling on the face) during Selichot said at night, noting opinions that permit it close to daybreak as well as those who avoid it entirely. An individual praying alone should not recite Aramaic prayers such as 'Machei U-masei' as they require a quorum. Additionally, one may interrupt Tachanun to respond to Kedushah or Amen, and Tachanun must be recited during Shacharit even if it was already recited earlier during Selichot. The passage discusses whether one may complete the recitation of Selichot if the minyan dispersed mid-service, noting a stringency that the specific supplication 'Machi u-Masi' requires ten men to be present at the actual moment of its recitation. It also mentions the custom to sit while reciting 'Machi u-Masi'.
Nitei Gavriel is not freely available in text. This PDF surfaced in our research. Please use the feedback buttons below to help us improve.
נטעי גבריאל, יום טוב א סי׳ כ״ג
Nitei Gavriel, Yom Tov vol 1 23
The passage states that all laws of Techumin restricting travel beyond two thousand cubits apply on Yom Tov just as they do on Shabbat.
א. כל דיני תחומין שלא לצאת חוץ לאלפיים אמה נוהגים ביו"ט א),
On this pageAll the laws of Techumin (Sabbath boundaries), which restrict walking more than 2,000 cubits outside the city limits, apply on Yom Tov (Jewish holidays) just as they do on Shabbat. This passage from Chapter 23 discusses the laws of Techumin (boundaries) on Yom Tov, stating that a person's utensils and garments share the Techum of their owner and cannot be carried beyond that boundary by another person. It also begins discussing cases where a person is permitted to travel beyond the Techum, such as for saving a life (Pikuach Nefesh). The passage outlines laws of boundaries (techum) on Yom Tov, ruling that one who accompanies a critically ill patient outside the techum may return home, and that someone who entered the techum on Shabbat with only four cubits may walk the full techum on the adjacent Yom Tov. Additionally, it states that an Eruv Techumin generally cannot be established on Yom Tov itself. This page discusses laws of Eruvin (Eruvei Techumin and Chatzerot) on Yom Tov. It rules that Yom Tov does not require an Eruvei Chatzerot, permitting carrying between unmixed courtyards even for non-essential items (though some restrict this to items with at least some minimal need), and addresses the restriction on establishing an Eruvei Chatzerot when Yom Tov falls on a Friday.
Nitei Gavriel is not freely available in text. This PDF surfaced in our research. Please use the feedback buttons below to help us improve.