Kiddush Levana During Shiva
QUESTION: Does a mourner (during the week of shiva) recite Kiddush Levana?
ANSWER: Shulchan Aruch (OC 426:2) writes that the custom is not to recite Kiddush Levana during the Nine Days (until after Tisha B’Av). This is because Kiddush Levana should be recited in a joyful manner, and it is inappropriate to rejoice while we are in a state of mourning. Similarly, the Magen Avrohom (426:4) writes that it is improper for a mourner to recite Kiddush Levana during the week of shiva. However, he writes that if the mourning will conclude after the tenth of the month, and, therefore, there is a concern that afterwards it might be cloudy and he may lose the opportunity, he should recite Kiddush Levana during shiva. The Mishnah Berurah (Beiur Halacha, 426, s.v. Kodem) disagrees with the Magen Avrohom, and only allows a mourner to recite Kiddush Levana if there will be no time after the conclusion of shiva when it can be said. If the shiva ends by the fourteenth of the month, since Kiddush Levana can still be said on the fifteenth of the month, he must wait. In this case, he must push off reciting Kiddush Levana and he need not be concerned that it might be cloudy. Some poskim write that if it is a very cloudy time of the year, one should use their own personal judgment for this decision. In cases where an avul must say Kiddush Levana, he should not participate in the dancing. There are differing opinions as to whether he should only recite the beracha, or may he also recite the accompanying Tehillim and additions. Likewise, there are also differing opinions as to whether he may greet his neighbors with the standard Shalom Aleichim. (See sefer Piskei Teshuvos 287:f.n. 28, Kol Bo Siman 2. 30)
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