If I am sitting shiva for my parent, am I permitted to eat meat at my Purim seudah?
Eating Meat at the Purim Seudah During Shiva
Question
Answer
Yes, you are permitted to eat meat at your Purim seudah while sitting shiva for a parent.
Sources
The Shulchan Aruch rules that even an onen, a mourner before the burial, may eat meat and drink wine on Purim. The individual obligation of mourning does not override the communal obligation to rejoice on Purim. If this is permitted to an onen, a mourner sitting shiva may certainly eat meat at the Purim seudah.
The Shulchan Aruch in Yoreh De’ah also shows that meat is not forbidden to a mourner during shiva. Where the custom is to serve the mourner’s meal with meat, wine and savoury dishes, this is done. They first serve eggs or lentils as a symbol of mourning, and afterwards the mourners eat all they need.
- Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 696:7 — an onen is permitted meat and wine on Purim, because private mourning does not override the communal mitzvah of Purim joy
- Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh De’ah 378:9 — where it is customary, the mourner’s meal includes meat and wine, after first eating eggs or lentils as a sign of mourning
Author
Rabbi Shay Tahan
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