Question:
Hi, Our mother/mother-in-law is coming to our home for a visit. She in in the first year of aveilus. Are there are any halachos we should know about when hosting her? Can we give her gifts as her host?
Thank you
Answer:
The most important thing that you should know for when you mother comes to you is that you now have the tremendous opportunity to do the mitzva of kKibbud av v’em, and you should use the opportunity to it’s fullest.
Regarding giving your mother a present when she is your guest, it is permitted since it is viewed as proper etiquette, and not really as a gift.
Best Wishes
Sources:
The Laws of Aveilus pg. 195.
Additional reading:
- Aveilus and giving gifts
- Receiving Workplace Gifts during the Year of Mourning for a Parent
- Accepting gifts during the first year of mourning
- Avelus for a child vs parent
- Attending a football match during avelus for a father
- Do I say yiskor in first year of avel or not
- Watching TV/playing games on tablet during Shloshim and the year