Yartzeit: Serving a Tikkun

There is a widespread custom for those observing a yartzeit to provide some food and drink, often including liquor, to fellow congregants following the morning services. These refreshments are referred to as a "tikkun," meaning "to correct" or "to perfect," as if to say that providing a tikkun in the synagogue on the day of a yartzeit contributes to perfecting the soul of the deceased.[1]

This custom is somewhat at odds with the ancient custom, cited in even halachic sources, to fast on a yartzeit.[2] It is taught that one should fast when observing a yartzeit as it is considered to be a day when one has been, and may in the future, be visited by ill-fortune.[3] Fasting on a yartzeit is also encouraged as a means to ensure that one will remember the deceased repeatedly throughout the day.[4] It is also said to be an act that attains atonement for the deceased.[5]

Nevertheless, sages throughout the ages have noted that fasting is quite difficult for most people. As such, it became customary to replace the yartzeit fast with the informal tikkun gathering in honor of the yartzeit.[6] The custom of serving food and drink on a yartzeit, rather than fasting, is further justified due to the many blessings and "amens" that are recited over the food by those partaking of them. These blessings and amens serve as a merit for the deceased. So too, organizing an informal gathering, where one offers all those present some food and drink -- not to mention a "l'chaim" -- is deemed to be a fulfillment of the mitzva of hachnassat orchim, which serves as yet another merit for the deceased.[7]

Since the day that one observes a yartzeit is said to be a day of ill fortune, those who partake of the tikkun should bless the host with long life and other blessings. Serving a tikkun is also considered to be a form of giving charity when poor people who can’t afford to purchase their own food partake of the tikkun.[8] It is interesting to note that although, as a general rule, one should not eat or drink while standing,[9] it is permissible to do so when drinking a l'chaim.[10] We are also told that when Jews come together to wish each other "l'chaim," God immediately forgives all their sins.[11]

It is said that Rav Tzvi Hirsh of Ziditchov once completely forgot about his mother's yartzeit and failed to observe the traditional yartzeit customs. As the story goes, the night following the yartzeit his mother appeared to him in a dream and said to him, "The fact that you forgot to study mishna or lead the services in honor of my yartzeit is something that I can forgive. However, that which you also forgot to serve a tikkun to the congregation, is something that I cannot forgive."[12] It appears from this story that the importance of serving a tikkun on a yartzeit outweighs all the other customary yartzeit observances!

[1] Sdei Chemed, Beit Haknesset, Mem; Minchat Yitzchak 6:135; Dudaei Hasadeh 45; Tefilla K’hilchata 24:68; Minhag Yisrael Torah, OC 132:7.

[2] Nedarim 12a; Sefer Chassidim 231, 232; OC 568:1,7,8; Taz, OC 568:5; YD 378:4.

[3] Elya Rabba 568:15.

[4] Trumat Hadeshen 293.

[5] Mahari Mintz 9. For more reasons for the yartzeit fast see: Mahari Mintz 9; Chatam Sofer, OC 161; Maharshal 9; Levush 402:12.

[6] Minchat Yitzchak 6:135.

[7] Minhag Yisrael Torah, OC 132:7.

[8] Minchat Yitzchak 6:135.

[9] Be'er Heitev, OC 170:17.

[10] Minhag Yisrael Torah, OC 170:11.

[11] Taamei Haminhagim, Likutim 14.

[12] Cited in Birurei Chaim 4:32:23.