Q. Someone that usually keeps the first of period of mourning (for Rabi Akiva's disciples) that begins on the second day of Pesach and ends at Lag Baomer, is making a Bar Mitzva for his son then. Can he celebrate by playing music and dancing?
Should he better on this particular year change to the Minhag that keeps Avelus from Rosh Chodesh Iyar onward, after the Bar Mitzva?
A. Chaim Shoal (1; 21) quoting Kaf Hachaim (551: 40), permits dancing and playing trumpets at a Bris Mila during Sefira.
Kovetz Halochos ((9: 8) mentions that in principle one can be lenient in playing music and dancing at a Bar Mitzva during Sefira, however, the Minhag is to be stringent.
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit”a opinion is that following the rulings of Igrois Moishe (O.H. 1: 159 and 2: 95) it is preferable to change one's tradition on this particular year and follow the latter Minhag.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a
Important Numbers
