Dear Rov. As you know my father passed away last year and I’m about to commemorate his first Yohrzait. I have seen people listening to music on the day they have Yohrzait. Is that permitted? Even on the first one? Thank you.

On the first Yohrzait, one may not. Regarding a subsequent Yohrzait, Poskim disagree. Taz holds that all the limitations of the year of Aveilus apply also on that day, and one should not listen to music. However, the Shach disagrees. He holds that the limitation not to attend and eat at a wedding applies on a Yohrzait, but other limitations do not. According to him, one could listen to music. Poskim write that Halacha follows the Shach, but it would seem to be commendable to be stringent like the Taz. (See Remah Y.D 395, Shach 3 and Taz 3, Pischei Teshuvo 8, and others).