6124 Bind The Isru Chag

A. Poskim write that the day after Pesach, Shavuot, and Sukkot is known as "Isru Chag," and is treated with some degree of sanctity. The name "Isru Chag," means "wrapping up the holiday," and originates in Tehillim 118:27, where it says, "bind the festival offering (’Isru Chag’) to the corners of the altar.” The practical halachot are that Tachanun is not recited on Isru Chag, and it is also forbidden to fast. [Many have the custom to wear their Yom Tov clothes on Isru Chag. There were communities in the past that treated Isru Chag like Chol Hamoed.

Isru Chag is viewed as the day that bridges the sanctity of the holiday which just concluded with the return-to-routine and mundane nature of the days that follow. As such, it is a quasi-holiday that possesses a festive flavor.[The Arizal teaches that the holiness of the holiday can be felt on Isru Chag, as well. There are no work-related restrictions on Isru Chag.

Although there are no specific mitzvot that must be observed on Isru Chag, one is encouraged to indulge in more elaborate meals than usual. Our sages teach that one who honours Isru Chag by eating and drinking in a festive manner is considered to have built an altar and offered a sacrifice. Isru Chag also allows for those who live in Israel to celebrate the day with some festivity together with those who live in the Diaspora (who observe yom tov sheini). In fact, the Sdei Chemed writes that the Jews of Eretz Yisrael were concerned that non-Jews believed that the Jewish people were a divided nation considering that those who lived in Eretz Yisrael observed one day of Yom Tov while those who lived in the Diaspora observed two days of Yom Tov! Hence, Isru Chag essentially started as a celebration of the unity of the Jewish people.[Isru Chag also recalls that the pilgrims in ancient times would return to their homes with renewed excitement and inspiration after having celebrated the holiday in Jerusalem.

On question 4479 (Feast or Fast Day?) we wrote:

Q. Dear Rov shilt’a, I heard that some of the Roshei Yeshivos in Eretz Yisroel not only ruled to cancel all seudos of Isru Chag, but also to fast because of the terrible tragedies that are happening. Is that really true and permitted?

A. We tried to find printed opinions on the above shailah but could not find anything yet. It seems to be from voice communication that many Poskim and Rabbonim maintain that a minimum seuda should be kept for those who have that tradition.

Yet it should be done with a very deep feeling of mourning and grieving feelings for all those who lost their lives or their dear ones and for all those who were kept captive as hostages, similar to a Seuda of Avelim.

Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is similar.

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