Music and Aveilus - Questionable Days to Perform a Siyum Sefer Torah Celebration

May one perform a siyum Sefer Torah completion celebration with music and dancing during sefiras haomer, or the three weeks, since they are days associated with aveilus(mourning)?

Obligation to Dance at the Conclusion of a Sefer Torah 

Dovid Hamelech danced and clapped with all his might to honor Hashem, before the Aron Habris (ark of the covenant). From here, we learn that one is to dance and celebrate at the dedication of a Sefer Torah completion. The Kaf Hachayim comments that when Dovid clapped his two hands to a beat, he was intending to empower the right hand (chesed) over the left hand (gevurah), and to sweeten the severities thus. 

The conclusion of a Sefer Torah is a great simcha (joy), and as such, it is befitting that when it is brought to its new location, it should be done with careful planning. On the verse (Shemos 31:18) “and He [Hashem] gave to Moshe [the tablets] when he finished.” The Midrash Tanchuma expounds the word “Kikalaso” (when he finished) that the day that the Torah was given is like the day that a kallah (bride) enters the chuppah (canopy) for marriage. From here, we can derive that one should celebrate with the Torah at its conclusion and dedication, similar to the celebration of a wedding in which we rejoice in front of the bride.

Sefiras Haomer

During the sefirah days, the students of Rebbi Akiva passed away, and as such, various semi-mourning observances are kept. There are differing customs regarding when we calculate the observance of the aveilus (mourning) during the sefirah days. As such, on the days one needs to observe semi-aveilus during sefirah, some of the customs observed are not to listen to music and not to allow dancing.

During the Sefirah days, the Poskim differ if one may perform a siyum Sefer Torah with music and dancing; the majority of Poskim allow, while some are stringent in this matter. Some Poskim have even suggested that one could perform a siyum Sefer Torah, but should avoid music. Rav Elyashiv instructed that one should avoid making a siyum Sefer Torah unless there are particular circumstances why it should specifically be done during the sefirah days, but if needed, one may do so even with music and dancing.

Certainly, on Lag B’Omer, one could make a siyum Sefer Torah since it is a day of celebration. Some Poskim are also more lenient from Rosh Chodesh Sivan and onwards.

Bein Hameitzarim (The Three Weeks)

Bein Hameitzarim is a mournful period that is particularly heightened during the first nine days of the month of Av. Part of the mourning practices during these days are restrictions against dancing or listening to music. 

One should not set a siyum Sefer Torah during the first nine days of the month of Av. It is also not fitting to set the siyum during Bein Hemeitzarim (the three weeks from the 17th of Tamuz until the 9th of Av). Nitei Gavriel adds that one should not set a siyum Sefer Torah even on a Friday during the entire three weeks.

Siyum Sefer Torah Takeaway

As joyous music and dancing are integral to the great mitzvah of dedicating a new Sefer Torah, one must ensure that it is celebrated within the days that are fitting to celebrate as such. When the Torah dedication is done on its proper day according to the accepted practice, then one can truly channel down the holiness of the occasion to the most meaningful experience of receiving the Torah.  

- - Rabbi Dovid Nissan Bressman authored two halacha books on mezuzah and sefertorah. He has Yoreh Yoreh and Yadin Yadin from Central Tomchei Tmimim, Brooklyn, NY. He is also an ordained sofer and magiah and the director of Chesed Umishpat, which assists with Jewish status matters.