Tisha B'Av Laws of the Three Weeks and the Ninth of Av Check out the Nishmat Website | General | All are required to fast on the 9th of Av, the 17th of Tamuz, the 3rd of Tishrei, and the 10th of Tevet. It is forbidden to separate oneself from the community's mourning (S.A. 550:1). Except for the 9th of Av when they must complete the fast, pregnant and nursing women are not required to fast if it is difficult for them. If it is difficult for the mother to nurse her baby she should consult a Rav. It is advisable to discuss this possibility with the Rav before the fast. (S.A. 550:1. See Shaarei Teshuva 554:6). If a pregnant women feels sick and weak she need not complete the fast. (Aruch ha Shulchan 554:7). In this case she should also speak to a Rav, if possible. A women within 30 days of childbirth should not fast (AHS. 554:8) The Fast of the 9th of Av begins at sunset and ends when the stars appear on the following night. The other fasts begin at dawn and end when the stars appear. | The "Three Weeks" | Ashkenazi Jews are accustomed to begin some mourning beginning from the 17th of Tamuz. The Sephardim do not begin until Rosh Chodesh Av (551:2, Rama). During the period from the morning (Igrot Moshe 1:68) of the 17th of Tamuz until Rosh Chodesh Av we are prohibited from performing marriages (551:2, Rama), playing or listening to music and dancing (MB 551:16). Haircuts and shaving (551:3) [except for a mohel, sandek, and the parents of the circumcised infant (551:1, Rama, MB:3)], are also prohibited, and the blessing of "Shehechianu" should not be recited. Therefore one should not purchase or wear new garments during this time, nor should one eat a new fruit. On Shabbat it is permissible to bless on a new fruit. (551:17, MB 98, 99). We are particularly careful during this period not to strike children. | The Nine Days from Rosh Chodesh until the 9th of Av | It is forbidden to rejoice once Av begins (MB 551:1). One should not purchase objects of joy unless they will be more expensive after the 9th of Av (551:2, M.B.:11, Shaar Zion 14). One may purchase new Tefillin (Igrot Mosheh 3:80). It is forbidden to plant new decorative plants. (551:2, MB 12) It is forbidden to drink wine or to eat meat (including poultry, or a dish containing only a small amount of meat), except for Shabbat, and at a Seudat Mitzvah (such as a Brit or Siyum). This prohibition begins on Rosh Chodesh (551:9, MB: 58, 59). With regard to Havdalah there are differing customs, and some make Havdalah over beer. It is also forbidden to feed meat to children unless the child is weak and requires meat. It is permissible for people who are sick, or for pregnant and nursing mothers who are weak, to eat meat if necessary. In these cases, it is preferable to eat chicken (AHS:551:26). Similarly, someone who must eat on the 9th should only eat the minimum necessary for his health and not indulge (551, M.B. 5). It is forbidden to do laundry during the 9 days, except for children's clothing. Nor should one wear freshly laundered clothing, except for socks and underwear (551:3, 14). The custom is to wear freshly laundered clothing for Shabbat. (551:1, MB. 6 in the name of the "Gra"). Bathing for pleasure and swimming (if not for medical purposes) are prohibited during the 9 days. It is however permissible to wash or shower in order to remove dirt or sweat. (AHS 37). Some permit the immersion of men in the Mikveh, and to bathe regularly on the Eve of Shabbat Chazon. (551:16, MB 93-97, AHS 35, "kitzur Hilchot Ben Hametzarim page 13 in the name of Rav Moshe Feinstein æö"ì, and Rav Yosef Eliyahu Henkin æö"ì). A women bathes as usual in preparation for her immersion in the Mikveh (551:16, Rama). | The Eve of the 9th of Av | We do not recite Tahanun on the eve of the 9th of Av at Mincha. It is customary to eat a regular meal, then to daven Mincha, and then to eat the 'final meal' before the fast. This final meal should be eaten while sitting on the floor, and the meal customarily consists only of bread, a hard boiled egg and water. Birkat HaMazon is not recited with a 'zimun'. It is permitted to eat after this meal until sunset. | Laws of the 9th of Av | The following are prohibited on the 9th of Av: eating, drinking, washing, anointing, wearing shoes, cohabitation, Torah Study, greeting, sitting on a chair, and work. Children under Bar Mitzvah need not complete the fast. It is a dispute whether they should fast part of the day (550:1, MB 5, AHS 554:7), and one may be lenient. One must not brush one's teeth or rinse one's mouth (567:3, MB :11). Washing for pleasure is totally forbidden on the 9th. One may wash the fingers only, when arising in the morning, after going to the bathroom, and before prayer. One may also wash for medical purposes, or to clean off dirt. (554:7, 9. 10 MB 21) In the morning after drying the hands, one may rub them on the face when they are still slightly wet. One may wash the eyes, if they are dirty. (554:11, MB 22). A bride within 30days may wash her face or anoint herself (MB 554:29). Since marital relations are prohibited, husband and wife may not sleep together. (554:18). Some prohibit husband and wife from touching each other on the night of the 9th (MB 554:37) while others permit this (AHS 554:17). One may not wear leather shoes. Even shoes made only partially of leather, such as track shoes, may not be worn. (554:16, MB: 31). One may not study or teach Torah (even to children), except for sad portions such as Lamentations, Job, stories of the destruction of the Temple, or the laws of the 9th of Av or of mourning. It is even forbidden to think about other aspects of Torah (554:1, MB 3-5). May one study the permissible portions in depth? The MB (554:4) prohibits, while the AHS (554:4) permits. One may not greet others, or even say "good morning", and the like. If one is greeted, one should respond softly, and if possible explain the prohibition. One should not give gifts of joy, nor should one take pleasure strolls. The general rule is to maintain the atmosphere of mourning. (554:22, MB 43, AHS 554:22, 559:9). | Prayers and Customs | It is customary to sleep with less pillow than usual, and there are those who sleep on the floor on the 9th of Av. A person who is weak and pregnant women need not follow this custom. In the morning a man wears his Talit Katan without a blessing. At minchah the Talit Gadol and Tefillin are worn with blessings. (551:1, MB 2, AHS:2, Chaye Adam 135:18). After the recitation of the dirges it is proper for everyone to reread Eichah. During the day the dirges should preferable not be completed before midday. (559:3, Rama, MB-12, 13,2). At Minchah "Nahem" is recited in the blessing "V'Leyerushalayin" and "Anenu" in the blessing of "Shma Kolenu" (557:1) | The 10th of Av | If the 9th falls on Shabbat then Havdalah is recited after the fast ends, over a cup of wine. (556:2) There is no blessing on fire or spices. (MB 4,5). Since the Temple burned mostly on the 10th of Av, all of the prohibitions of the 9 days, such as eating meat, drinking wine, bathing, music, laundry, and haircuts are in effect until midday. When the 9th falls out on Shabbat and the fast is deferred to Sunday, one may bath, wash clothing or cut hair at night after the fast. Meat, wine and music are permissible the next morning. (558:1,4). It is customary to bless the new moon immediately after the fast. (426:2, Be'er Hetev 4 in the name of the Ari). May we merit that the fast of Tisha B'Av be celebrated as a true Festival. Abbreviations: SA= Shulchan Aruch (all chapter citations are from Shulchan Aruch: Oruch Chayim) MB= Mishna Brura AHS= Aruch haShulchan Check out the Nishmat Website