Q&A: Yahrzeit
Yahrzeit
Question
Grandfather passed away almost at the yahrzeit.
I took on a tractate to finish by the yahrzeit.
1. Maybe in Heaven he would prefer that in the little time I have, I finish my studies and stop making a living from begging, shady schemes, stipends, thefts, and causing harm, and instead earn my bread honestly. And that would be more of an elevation for his soul than finishing a tractate in this period of time. But should I go on making a living the way he educated me to here in this world?
(Because in Heaven he presumably sees what the straight path is and what the bad path is that he mistakenly educated me toward.)
2. You can invest in serious study but not finish by the yahrzeit. And you can do it superficially and finish by the yahrzeit. Which is preferable?
Answer
- What exactly is the question? I don’t see a question here. I didn’t know your grandfather, and I don’t know what goes on in Heaven. Regardless of your grandfather, it is proper to conduct yourself in the way that you think is right. And I don’t think there is any contradiction between that and completing a tractate or studying seriously (in fewer hours).
- If you made a vow, you must fulfill it.