Pesach Sheini - Tachanun

QUESTION: This year, Pesach Sheini (the 14th day of Iyar) is today, Friday, May 5th. Is Tachanun (a prayer said by men after Shemoneh Esrei Shachris) recited on Pesach Sheini?

ANSWER: The background of this question is the following: While the Bais Hamikdash was extant, if a person was unable to bring the Korban Pesach sacrifice on the 14th day of Nissan there was a makeup date a month later on the 14th day of Iyar, when the sacrifice could be brought. This day is known as Pesach Sheini (the second Pesach). In the time of the Bais Hamikdash, Pesach Sheini was treated as a minor Yom Tov because a sacrifice was brought on that date. Fasts and eulogies were not permitted on Pesach Sheini. After the Bais Hamikdash was destroyed and the Korban Pesach is no longer sacrificed, we can ask, is Pesach Sheini still a Yom Tov? Do we say that it is not a Yom Tov because there is no Korban Pesach today, or do we view it as a Yom Tov because it commemorates the day when the korban Pesach was sacrificed when the Bais Hamikdash was standing?

The answer to this question about the status of Pesach Sheini will determine if Tachanun is recited. Tachanun is a prayer that is recited daily, except on Shabbos, Yom Tov and Rosh Chodesh. If Pesach Sheini is a Yom Tov, Tachanun will be omitted. If it is not a Yom Tov, Tachanun will be said.

There are various minhagim whether to say Tachanun on Pesach Sheini. Some maintain that Tachanun should be said. As proof, they note that the Shulchan Aruch records a list of days when Tachanun is omitted and Pesach Sheini is conspicuously missing.

Others do not recite Tachanun on Pesach Sheini. They point out that the Gemarah lists 35 days when fasting and eulogies are prohibited. This list is based on an ancient Tanaic document known as Megilas Taanis. Pesach Sheini is included in this list. However, the Gemarah says that after the destruction of the Temple, Megilas Taanis was batel (inoperative). Thus, it would seem that Pesach Sheini is no longer a Yom Tov. However, this is not a conclusive proof. Though the minor holidays of Megilas Taanis were generally batel, Pesach Sheini may be an exception. The days listed in Megilas Taanis are minor holidays which commemorate joyous events that happened in Jewish history. After the destruction of the Bais Hamikdash, these holidays were rescinded, because the Churban Bais Hamikdash overshadowed these celebrations. It may be that Pesach Sheini is in a category of its own, since it commemorates a Biblical event, and it still retains its Yom Tov status.

In practice, one should follow the custom of the shul where one davens.

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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.