I saw recently that rabbi zilberstein was asked whether Chasan Breishis should make a Kiddush this Shabbos considering what a horrible time it is. I am making a Yahrtzeit Seudah for my father A"H, and although I usually make a Sium, I am wondering if it is inappropriate to do so this year because of the Simchah involved. Thanks for your immediate response.

ב"ה Shalom I saw the response that Rabbi Silverstein wrote. He was concerned with the light-heartedness and joking mood sometimes expressed at these occasions. Therefore, to respect the time honored custom of a kiddush for the Chatan Breishit, Rabbi Silverstein said the kiddush should be maintained , but it should open with the reciting of Tehillim and end with the reciting of Tehillim , which would instill the proper decorum. Making a Sium in memory of your late father and consequently a Se'uda for the sium is a mitzva, and there is no greater Segula and merit for the benefit of the Neshama (and for klal Yisrael at this time) than the study of Torah and doing mitzvot and "Ma'asim tovim". The very fact that the se'uda for the sium is in honor of a Yahrtzeit already creates a more serious mood and therefore I don't see it as inappropriate. All the best ה' עוז לעמו יתן , ה' יברך את עמו בשלום