Sources and Reasons:
One should not hold a birthday celebration during these days, because a birthday is an optional meal and not a seudat mitzvah. Optional meals involving the gathering of many people, joy, and merriment should not be held. This is certainly so from Rosh Chodesh Av onward, when joy must be curtailed. See Igrot Moshe, Orach Chaim, vol. I, no. 104, which rules that it is an optional meal, and all the more so in our case. Even without meat and wine, it should not be permitted, for the very meal itself is a festive meal that should not be held during these days. So too I heard from the gaon Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu, of blessed memory. It is obvious that there is no distinction between celebrating a birthday on the Hebrew date or on the Gregorian date. See also at length Responsa Lehorot Natan, vol. IX, no. 5.
This response was translated automatically from Hebrew and has not yet been reviewed by a person. Therefore, it may contain inaccuracies and should not be considered a definitive reference.
