Q. Rov Shlit’a. Our dearest Talmid Chochom and Tzadik grandfather, who you knew well, and as you also know, was niftar a month ago and his Shloshim will be on Tu Bishvat.

He, for many years would organize a beautiful simcha on that day and gather all the children an even the great grand children to a seudah together. Since it is not permitted to do any act of Avelus (mourning) on Tu Bishvat, is there any way we could still get together and maintain in his Kovod and Zechus (honor and merit) that tradition this year?

A. Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that if only a siyum (ending of a Talmud or Mishna treaty) is made and words in regards to Tu Bishvat are said, without any Hespeidim or eulogies, it is permitted.

I would add, that this is analogous to a kiddush often served in shul on the day of the shloishim even on Shabbos.

Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit’a