Q. We B'H are celebrating after many years of trying to have children a Pidyon Habben this coming Friday afternoon that is also the Taanis of Asarah Beteves. Both my parents and in-laws are elderly and infirm. In these pandemic days they were advised by their doctors not to fast. They are also out of town, and will zoom into the pidyon with others, family and friends.
The question is, although the seuda will be on the night of Shabbat after the fast, can our parents at the very end of the pidyon, three hours before Shabbat begins, just drink a lechaim and wish brochos to all? This very emotional and meaningful bracha, would be shown to all on the wide screen by the pidyon and would greatly enhance the simcha and make them fill that they are also part of the pidyon. I feel that it is important, since after all this baby is their first grandson.
A. Horav Aharon Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that even if the occasion is so meaningful and important, one should not openly and publicly drink during a taanis.
Likely the same effect or even better, could be achieved by them saying a few well prepared emotional words and brochos. The grandfathers could even sing together an emotional niggun. That would certainly reach the hearts of all listeners.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller and Horav Aharon Miller Shlit'a
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