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Q & A - WITH RABBI RISKINQuestion: My father passed away less than a year ago and hence I am still in mourning. Am I permitted to join a trip overseas which is being arranged by my place of work? Answer: There are two separate issues here which need to be analyzed: One who is in mourning for a parent is not permitted to take part in a "joyous gathering", which is defined halakhically as any occasion where three people or more who are not family members get together for the purposes of celebrating and being together. According to my teacher, Rav Soloveichik ztz"l, even the music played at such an event is not the essence of the prohibition; the problem is the actual getting together. Therefore if the purpose of the trip is so that the employees may learn from their experience overseas and not just to enjoy themselves, or if there is some danger that you may lose your job if you do not participate, then it is permissible to join. However, if the sole purpose of the trip is for enjoyment then it is considered a joyous gathering and is prohibited to someone in mourning. The second halakhic problem involves the permissibility of leaving Eretz Yisrael for overseas at all, even for someone who is not a mourner. The Rambam, on the basis of the Gemara at the end of Massekhet Ketubot, writes that anyone who leaves Eretz Yisrael is considered "like someone who has no G-d". It is clear from all the sources that there exists a degree of impurity known as "the impurity of the land of the other nations" (tum'at eretz ha-amim). If someone leaves the country for the purposes of fulfilling a mitzvah, such as honoring his parents, or to make a living (if he cannot do so in Israel), or to study something important or for promotion at work, the trip may be permissible. But if the purpose of the trip is solely for enjoyment, there is no basis for permitting it - even for someone who is not a mourner. If you have a question for Q & A, send it to ots@ohrtorahstone.org.il . We cannot guarantee that all questions received will be answered in this column.
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