Q. If someone needs a very delicate and risky eye operation and is planing to do it on the 23 of Sivan, (June 3, 21)., I have heard different and conflicting opinions as to the Mazal of that day. Should he proceed or change it to another date?
A. Indeed there are conflicting and contradictory sources as to the status of the 23 of Sivan.
Shulchan Aruch (O.H. 580: 2) includes the 23 of Sivan in the list of days of recommended for fasting, The reason given is that it was the day that Yeravam Ben Nevat abolished the bringing of Bikurim, as he officially banned the tribes of the Northern Kingdom from going to Yerushalaim, by placing armed guards on the roads.
However, as mentioned in Megilas Esther (8: 9-17), it was also the day when the revocation of the edict of Haman was sent: "And the king's scribes were summoned at that time, in the third month-that is the month of Sivan-on the twenty-third day thereof, and it was written according to all that Mordechai commanded... And in every province and in every city, wherever the king's order and his edict reached, there was joy and gladness for the Jews, a banquet and a festive day."
Nitei Gavriel (Shavuos 38: 4,5 - Nissuin 1: 48) maintains that even the ones who usually avoid marriages at the second half of the month, permit them on this day. He mentions that the Imrei Emes married of his son with the presence of his father the S'fas Emes on that day. On the invitation he wrote: 'As our forefathers rejoiced on this day, so Hashem should grant us happiness also.'
The day also carries especial importance in Chabbad and other Chassidic circles.
A possible reason for the drastic change, could be the reversal and tikun of Yeravam Ben Nevat malicious edict, as mentioned in Talmud (Ta'anis 30b). One of the reasons given for the celebration of the Tu Beav (15 of Av), was that on that day Hoshea ben Elah revoked the edict.
Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that the operation can be done on the 23 of Sivan.
Rabbi A, Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller and Horav Aharon Miller Shlit'a
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