THE BAIS HAVAAD HALACHA JOURNAL: Volume 5776 Issue XXXI Parshas Kedoshim THE CUSTOMS OF SEFIRA What are they, and when do they apply? By: Rav Yehoshua Grunwald

During the days of sefira the 24,000 students of Reb Akiva died. As a result, there is a minhag, already found in rishonim, to refrain from specific activities similar to an aveil (mourner) as a sign of mourning. WHAT IS PROHIBITED? It appears that in earlier generations the custom was to refrain only from minimal activities during sefira. As the generations progressed more things were added. The Tur only mentions that one should refrain from marrying and that some have a custom to refrain from cutting one's hair as well. The Shulchan Aruch, which was written later, writes unequivocally that the custom is not to cut one's hair. Magen Avraham (a later authority who wrote an explanation on parts of Shulchan Aruch) writes that the custom is to prohibit dancing. Aruch Hashulchan and other authorities write that certainly listening to music is prohibited. Mishna Berura writes that it is permitted to say Shehecheyanu during sefira. However, others write that there is a minhag to refrain from making shecheyanu during these days. WHEN ARE THEY PROHIBITED?