Sefira - Wedding Attendance

QUESTION: May someone who is observing the customary restrictions of sefira after Lag B'omer attend the wedding of one who is no longer observing these restrictions?

ANSWER: Rav Moshe Feinstein, zt”l (Igros Moshe O.C. 1:159) maintained that the mitzvah of simchas chosson v’kallah (rejoicing with a bride and groom) takes precedence over the minhag not to dance and sing with musical instruments during sefira. A similar opinion is quoted in the name of Rav Soloveitchik, zt”l (Nefesh HaRav, p. 192) and Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach, zt”l (Halichos Shlomo, Sefiras Haomer 11:19). However, Rav Moshe held that it is not permissible to take a haircut or shave, since that does not directly contribute to the joy of the chosson and kallah (Igros Moshe O.C. 2:95).

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The Gerald & Karin Feldhamer OU Kosher Halacha Yomis is dedicated to the memory of Rav Yisroel Belsky, zt"l, who served as halachic consultant for OU Kosher for more than 28 years; many of the responses in Halacha Yomis are based on the rulings of Rabbi Belsky. Subscribe to the Halacha Yomis daily email here.