Question:
Our granddaughter’s birthday is during Chol Hamoed Pesach, and she is now bas mitzvah. She is having a party in two weeks at a hall near her home in south Florida (we live in Brooklyn, New York). I am in aveilus for my mother and am not sure I should make the trip and attend.
Answer:
Hello,
We can’t really consider a bas mitzva celebration to be a seudas mitzva, especially in your situation when it isn’t at the actual time of the bas mitzva. Therefore as far as participating in the seuda it would be better for you not to make the trip. It is not easy, but this is a way for you to get the mitzva of kibbud av v’em, as a kavod to your deceased parent.
Best wishes
