22. Shabbos:[1]

The laws of Aninus do not apply on Shabbos.[2] This applies even towards the night time, until after Shabbos is over [i.e. Tzeis Hakochavim].[3] [Nevertheless, those laws of mourning that are kept on Shabbos during Shiva, must likewise be kept by an Onen on Shabbos.[4] See Chapter 20 for the full details of this subject!]

Mitzvos/Prayer/blessings: On Shabbos and Yom Tov the Onen may say blessings [and answer Amen] and is obligated in all the Mitzvos of the Torah throughout the entire day, even towards night, [until the conclusion of Shabbos].[5] He is obligated to Daven and say Kerias Shema and recite blessing [prior to eating] as usual.[6] [Accordingly, on Shabbos the Onen joins the Minyan.[7]]

Learning Torah: Some Poskim[8] rule mourner may not learn Torah on Shabbos and Yom Tov even if he does not have the status of an Onen. Other Poskim[9] however rule it is permitted for the mourners to learn Torah on Shabbos and Yom Tov. [Even according to the stringent opinion, the Onen may study the laws of Aninus and mourning, and other permitted subjects.[10] Likewise, the Onen may recite Shnayim Mikra Viechad Targum on Shabbos.[11]]

Aliyah:[12] An Onen may not be called to the Torah on Shabbos and Yom Tov. [Some Poskim[13] rule based on this that initially he should not be counted as one of the ten people needed for a Minyan of Kerias Hatorah.] See Chapter 20 Halacha 11 for the full details of this subject!

Birchas Kohanim:[14] An Onen does not perform Nesias Kapayim even on Shabbos.[15] [This applies even in Jerusalem.[16] This applies even if he was asked to perform Nesias Kapayim.[17]] The Onen is obligated to exit the Shul prior to the Chazan calling the Kohanim. See Chapter 25 Halacha 6C for the full details of this subject!

Meat and wine: On Shabbos and Yom Tov the Onen may eat meat and drink wine[18], if he desires.[19]

Joining the Shabbos meal:[20] On Shabbos, an Onen may join the meal on the table as usual.

Marital relations:[21] It is forbidden for an Onen to have marital intercourse even on Shabbos and Yom Tov.

Shabbos clothing:[22] The Onen may wear Shabbos clothing as usual. See Chapter 19 Halacha 11H regarding Shiva.

Leaving home:[23] It is permitted for an Onen to go to Shul [or anywhere else of his choosing] on Shabbos, as he is not prohibited from leaving the home].

Sitting down:[24] An Onen may sit as usual by the meal on Shabbos and Yom Tov.

Bathing:[25] It is forbidden for the Onen to bathe on Shabbos, just as is the law during Shiva. See Chapter 20 Halacha 2A!

Covering mirror: Some[26] write that an Onen is to cover the mirrors [and pictures] as soon as he hears of the death, and that they are to remain covered also over Shabbos.

Maariv of Motzei Shabbos:[27] [If one will not bury the deceased on the night of Motzei Shabbos] then the Onen is to Daven the entire Maariv, including Shema and Shemoneh Esrei, while it is still Shabbos, prior to nightfall of Motzei Shabbos.[28] He may Daven Maariv beginning from Plag Hamincha of Shabbos. [In such a case, he remains forbidden to do Melacha until a row of three small stars becomes visible. If he did not Daven prior to nightfall of Shabbos, he may no longer Daven after nightfall.]

Havdalah:[29] If the deceased passed away on Shabbos [or before Shabbos and was not yet buried], the relatives in mourning are to eat on Motzei Shabbos without making Havdalah, so long as it is still prior to the burial. [The Onen may, however, choose to recite Havdalah while it is still Shabbos, past Plag Hamincha, prior to nightfall of Motzei Shabbos.[30] In such a case, he does not say a blessing over fire in Havdalah, and remains forbidden to do Melacha until a row of three small stars becomes visible. Despite the above allowance, some opinions[31] state it is proper to abstain from saying Havdalah while it is still Shabbos, as it is a puzzling matter to the public.[32]]

Q&A May an Onen cry on Shabbos/Yom Tov over the passing of a loved one? Many Poskim[33] rule that if one is saddened, it is permitted to cry on Shabbos if the crying will help release the pain. Thus, an Onen/Avel may cry on Shabbos for this purpose.[34] Is the Onen to say Baruch Hamavdil Bein Kodesh Lechol at night?[35] If he did not Daven Maariv, or say Havdalah, before nighttime, then he is to say “Baruch Hamavdil” prior to doing Melacha.

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[1] Michaber 341:1

[2] Admur 71:2; Michaber 341:1

[3] Cases in which Aninus applies towards the end of Shabbos: There are cases in which even on Shabbos the laws of Aninus apply, such as if he began walking to the end of the Techum towards the end of Shabbos so he can begin dealing with the corpse right after Shabbos, in which case he is exempt from all Mitzvos at that time. [Michaber O.C. 71:2 and Y.D. 341:1; Admur 71:2]

[4] See below regarding marital relations and bathing; See Sheilas Yaavetz 1:65; Poskim in Nitei Gavriel 25:8

[5] The reason: As it is not possible to deal with the needs of the deceased and his burial on Shabbos and Yom Tov, and thus Aninus is not applicable at all. [Admur ibid]

[6] Admur ibid regarding Davening and Shema; Shach 341:7 regarding blessings

[7] Orach Neman 55:9; Piskeiy Teshuvos ibid

[8] M”A O.C. 548:8; Implication of Maharil Semachos; Gilyon Maharsha 341; Tefilah Lemoshe, brought in Rav Akiva Eiger 341 in accordance to the opinion of Rama in 341:5; Poskim in Nitei Gavriel 27:1 footnote 1

[9] Degul Merivava 548; Bigdei Yesha, brought in M”B 548:21; Poskim in Nitei Gavriel 27:1 footnote 2

[10] Aruch Hashulchan 341:16; Nitei Gavriel 27:2

[11] Birkeiy Yosef 341:14; Aruch Hashulchan 341:16; Nitei Gavriel 27:3

[12] M”A O.C. 548:8; Gilyon Maharsha 341; Simchas Hanefesh, brought in Rav Akiva Eiger 341 in accordance to the opinion of Rama in 341:5

[13] M”B 548:16

[14] Admur 128:55; M”A 128:64; M”B 128:65; Poskim in Nitei Gavriel 27:6

[15] The reason: Although an Onen is obligated in all the Mitzvos on Yom Tov, nevertheless, he is not found in a state of joy. [Admur ibid]

[16] Kaf Hachaim 128:254; Piskeiy Teshuvos 128:87; This applies according to all even after the Chevra Kadisha has taken charge, until the second day of Shiva.

[17] M”B 128:158 in name of Peri Chadash and other Poskim

[18] Michaber ibid

[19] Rama ibid; Rabbeinu Yona; See Shach 341:7 that there is no obligation to eat meat and wine on Shabbos, as he could fulfill his obligation of Oneg Shabbos with other foods. See also Admur 242:2; However, on Yom Tov, it is an obligation for the Onen to eat meat and drink wine. [Veshev Hakohen 94, brought in Rav Akiva Eiger 341]

[20] See Nitei Gavriel 25:9 footnote 16; See ibid 25:10 regarding joining others in Shul for Shalosh Seudos

[21] Michaber 341:1

Other opinions: Some Poskim rule that if the Onen is not in the same city as the deceased, he may have marital relations on Shabbos. [Sheilas Yaavetz 1:65; Poskim in Nitei Gavriel 25:8]

[22] See Poskim in Nitei Gavriel 25:4-5

[23] Michaber 341:1

[24] Rav Akiva Eiger 341

[25] Nitei Gavriel 25:7

[26] Nitei Gavriel 25:7

[27] Admur 71:2; 293:2 regarding one who is traveling after Shabbos; Taz 71:4 regarding Shema; Shvus Yaakov 1:8 in name of certain Rav regarding Maariv, brought and defended in Machatzis Hashekel 71:3; See Nitei Gavriel 28:1-2

Other opinions: Some Poskim rule the Onen is not to say Shema while it is still day. [Bach 71; M”A 71:3; Degul Merivava 71] The reason for this is because the obligation does not apply until night, as on Motzei Shabbos no one Davens before night. [M”A ibid] Alternatively, the reason is because Shema must be said with fear and concentration and the Onen is unable to do so towards night. [Bach ibid; See M”A ibid who questions his ruling; See Machatzis Hashekel ibid, P”M 71 A”A 3, Degul Merivava, Hagahos Rav Akiva Eiger, Levushei Serud] Other Poskim rule that the Onen may certainly not Daven Maariv or say Havdalah, as he is creating a contradiction in his status, as once night begins he is exempt from Maariv and the Davening of Maariv early proclaims that night has begun. [Implication of Michaber 341:1; Shvus Yaakov ibid in dispute of the ruling he brought from a certain Rav; See Machatzis Hashekel ibid who defends this Rav’s ruling]

[28] The reason: Although the congregation does not read the Shema of Maariv until after nightfall of Motzei Shabbos, nevertheless since the Onen will be exempt from Shema on Motzei Shabbos it is therefore better for him not to nullify the acceptance of the yoke of heaven, so long as he is able to read it prior to nightfall. The majority of communities read the night Shema throughout the week while it is still day, and thus the Onen may rely on this for this Shabbos. It goes without saying that he is to Daven Maariv [Shemoneh Esrei] of Motzei Shabbos while it is still day, from Pelag Hamincha and onwards, as this is considered like actual night regarding prayer according to Rebbe Yehuda. Now, even an Onen whose entire life followed the Sages [and delays Maariv until after nightfall] may nevertheless rely on the opinion of Rebbe Yehuda even on Motzei Shabbos in a case of Oness that he will be unable to Daven at night, as explained in 293. [Admur ibid; Taz ibid]

[29] Michaber 341:2

[30] Admur 71:2 regarding Shema and Maariv and in Admur 293:2 he applies the same rule regarding saying Havdalah early if one is traveling right after Shabbos; Shvus Yaakov 1:8 in name of certain Rav that the Onen should also say Havdalah early; Machatzis Hashekel 71:3 defends this Rav’s ruling]

Other opinions: Some Poskim rule that the Onen may not say Havdalah, as he is creating a contradiction in his status, as once night begins, he is exempt from Havdalah and the saying of Havdalah early proclaims that night has begun. [Implication of Michaber 341:1; Shvus Yaakov ibid in dispute of the ruling he brought from a certain Rav; See Machatzis Hashekel ibid who defends this Rav’s ruling]

[31] Bach in name of Rashal brought in Magen Avraham 293:4

[32] Admur 293:3

[33] Rama ibid; Elya Raba 288:3; Tosfos Shabbos 288:3; Mateh Yehuda 288:10; P”M 288 M”Z 2; Aruch Hashulchan 288:6; M”B 288:4; Kaf Hachaim 288:9; Piskeiy Teshuvos 288:2

The source: As it states in the Midrash and Yerushalmi that Rebbe Akiva was crying due to sadness, due to the passing of his son. [Tosfos Shabbos ibid]

Other opinions: Some Poskim rule it is forbidden to cry out of sadness on Shabbos, even if one desires to do so in order to release the pain. [Taz ibid]

[34] Amudei Or 76, brought in Kaf Hachaim 288:10

[35] See Nitei Gavriel 29:2 footnote 3