Talmud Bavli
Talmud Bavli

Responsa for Moed Katan 44:4

אמר אביי גדול הדור רבי גדול הדור שעמו ר' יעקב בר אחא ואיכא דאמרי גדול הדור ר' יעקב בר אחא גדול הדור שעמו רבי

Now it seems correct if Rabbi was the 'great man of the generation' that was with him [with the mourner], we understand why [R'Jacob B'Aha]<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' D.S. and many other texts.');"><sup>5</sup></span> refrained and did not bare [his shoulder and heart];<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Out of deference to Rabbi who was the Nasi, and therefore for him it was infra dignitatem. This was no disrespect to R. Jacob's father, as this is provided for in the rules: 'And if they (one's father or mother) seem not important (enough) for (the baring) , he (the son) does lot bare himself even for his father or mother'. Sem. IX. It should be noted that R. Jacob's father was not a qualified Rabbi, and that if 'Rabbi' Judah, the Nasi did out of deference to R. Jacob b. Aha bare himself, it would cause adverse comment among those present at the funeral. On R. Jacob b. Aha's status, v. Shab. ');"><sup>6</sup></span>

Teshuvot Maharam

A. A baal-berith (the person who holds the child during circumcision) is permitted to change his clothes and to bathe on the day the child is circumcised, even if such day be within his "period of mourning" (thirty days). The prohibition against changing one's clothes and bathing within the "period of-mourning" is based on custom and does not apply to persons performing a Mitzvah (religious duty). Within the thirty days of mourning, however, a person is not permitted to take part in a religious banquet, though one is permitted to return a visit to a secular feast. Therefore, the baal-berith is not permitted to take part in the banquet following circumcision.
SOURCES: L. 227, 8, 9; cf. Mord., Moed katan, 891.
Ask RabbiBookmarkShareCopy
Previous VerseFull ChapterNext Verse