Question:
My mother is sitting Shivah on her brother A’H. Am I allowed to take a haircut before Shabbos / Yom Tov, listen to music ? I live in NY and my mother is sitting Shivah in Canada. Please advise. Thank you.
Answer:
The halachos of observing partial mourning when a relative is sitting shiva will not apply over here, because of a number of factors. Firstly, you are in a different city, which is controversial if it applies in the first place. Secondly coupled with the fact that the partial mourning only pertains to showering and going to social events weddings etc., and also because even your mother will be able to take a shower laterin the day,since it is ever you tov and her shiva is cut off by yom tov. Therefore you may listen to music and take a haircut.
Sources:
Shevus Yackov 3-98, Pischei Teshuva 374-4, Divrei Sofrim 22-15
