THREE WEEKS NINE DAYS TISHA B AV 5775

Transcription

1 THREE WEEKS NINE DAYS TISHA B AV 5775 SELECTED LAWS AND CUSTOMS I. THE THREE WEEKS II. III. IV. THE NINE DAYS SHABBOS, THE EVE OF TISHA B AV TISHA B AV MORNING V. AFTERNOON AND EVENING VI. MOTZAEI TISHA B AV COMPILED BY: RABBI YEHUDA KELEMER RABBI JOSH GOLLER RABBI MEL DAVID -1-

2 I. THE THREE WEEKS 1. The three week period from Shiva Asar B'Tammuz through Tisha B'Av (observed from July 5th - July 26th) is known as "Bein Hamitzarim." This phrase is referred to in Megilas Eichah: "All her enemies have overtaken her between the narrow passes" (1:3). The Midrashic commentaries explain "the narrow passes" to refer to this three week period as a period of national anguish and distress. To commemorate this period and to prepare a Jew for the intensity of the mourning of Tisha B'Av, a number of customs have developed. These prohibitions originally applied only to Tisha B'Av, or the week in which Tisha B'Av fell out. However, over the centuries Jewish communities have embraced these laws for the entire three-week period. Thus, these customs have achieved the status of binding Halacha. 2 Four prohibitions apply to the three week period: A. Weddings. Engagement celebrations, however, are permitted up to but not including Rosh Chodesh Av. B. Playing Musical Instruments. This includes listening to music played on instruments. Many Poskim also prohibit recorded music. However, a professional musician whose source of income is from playing is exempted. This prohibition also includes attending entertainment events where music is the primary feature of the program. C. Haircuts. This includes shaving. Where an unsightly appearance could be detrimental to one's business or profession, this prohibition is suspended. D. Recitation of Shehechiyanu. Important new garments, household furnishings of major significance or a new fruit should not be used./consumed for the first time during the Three Weeks. This prohibition is suspended when: 1. The need for the item is critical. 2. Its first use will be on Shabbos (up to Rosh Chodesh Av) when it was purchased before the Three Weeks. 3. All these customs, as well as the prohibitions of Tisha B'Av, apply equally to men and women. -2-

3 4. Children from age 6 and older should be trained to observe these prohibitions. However, if necessary, a child may take a haircut up to the week in which Tisha B'Av occurs. II. THE NINE DAYS The period from Rosh Chodesh Av, July 17th, through Tisha B'Av, July 26th, is known as "The Nine Days." Because of its proximity to Tisha B'Av it carries five intense prohibitions over and above those of the Three Weeks. 1. Construction. This refers to any major construction or decorating in the home which can be postponed until after Tisha B'Av without incurring substantial financial loss. All critical repairs in the house are permitted. 2. Wine and Meat. Consuming these foods are prohibited except on the following occasions: A. Shabbos during the Nine Days: At Havdalah the wine is given to a child (over age 6) to drink. If unavailable, the adult may drink the wine. B. Siyyum: On the conclusion of a (1) Talmudic tractate, (2) Mishnaic tractate with commentary, (3) book of Tanach. In these situations all who attend the siyyum may partake of a festive meal, which includes meat and wine. C. Bris/Pidyon HaBen: All invited guests are permitted to be served meat and wine. 3. Laundering. The cleaning of clothing, bed linens, and tablecloths, even by a non-jew, is not permitted. This prohibition is suspended (up to but not including Tisha B'Av) in the following situations: A. When all of one's garments are soiled, then what one requires minimally is permitted. B. Infants clothing. This prohibition includes the tailoring or repairing of clothing, unless one's income is from tailoring. 4. Wearing Laundered Clothing. Freshly laundered clothing, except undergarments, may not be worn during the Nine Days. However, if they were donned prior to the Nine Days, even briefly, they may be worn. On Shabbos, freshly cleaned clothing, and one's Shabbos suit, may be worn. -3-

4 5. Bathing and Showering. This prohibition includes: A. Washing one's body in hot or cold water even without the use of soap, B. Swimming. On Erev Shabbos many Poskim permit taking a bath/shower. Similarly, these Poskim permit a cold shower for one who suffers great discomfort from the summer heat (except Tisha B'Av). There are two important exceptions to this prohibition during the Nine Days: 1. Where, for health reasons, bathing is required. 2. Women preparing for immersion in the Mikveh. III. SHABBOS, THE EVE OF THE FAST OF TISHA B AV 1. This year, the fast of Tisha B Av begins on Saturday night, July 25 th. 2. On this Shabbos, one is permitted to eat meat and drink wine at all of the meals, including Seuda Shlishis (the third meal). 3. All of the laws of the seuda hamafsekes (last meal) are suspended on this Shabbos. This means, specifically, (A) One does not sit on the floor nor on a low chair / stool. (B) Hard-boiled eggs are not a required food. (C) One may eat a variety of foods / beverages. (D) Birkas Hamazon may be recited in a group of three or more. 4. It is preferable not to invite guests to Seuda Shlishis on this Shabbos. However, one may invite an individual who does not have a place to eat or has not prepared for this meal. 5. The meal must conclude before sunset, 8:17 p.m. One may continue to eat / drink after birkas hamazon (up to 8:17 p.m.). 6. Preparations for the fast on Sunday may not be made on Shabbos. Non-leather shoes, or Kinos / Eichah books, may not be brought to shul on Shabbos afternoon. One should bring them to shul either on Friday evening before sunset, or on Saturday night after nightfall (9:10 p.m.). 7. Ata Chonantanu is recited during the Amida of Maariv. However, Havdalah is not recited after Maariv, nor is the blessing over the spices. The Havdalah is delayed until Sunday night. -4-

5 8. The blessing over fire ( Borei Meori Ha-eish) is recited at home. One may listen to this blessing in shul ( which is recited after Maariv ) with the intention to fulfill this obligation. 9. Anyone who must eat on Saturday night / Sunday for health reasons should first recite the Havdalah (over soda or juice) omitting the blessing over the spices. 10. Women who normally do not daven the Maariv prayer must recite the following phrase Saturday night after nightfall, before doing any work: BORUCH HAMAVDIL BEIN KODESH LECHOL. IV. TISHA B'AV MORNING 1. Tallis and Tefillin are not worn. However, the Tallis Katan (arba kanfos) should be worn without reciting the blessing. The lights are dimmed in the synagogue, even at the reader s desk. The prayers are recited in a low, mournful voice. 2. A mourner during his week of Shiva may be called up to the Torah, and may also read the Haftorah, because all are mourners on this day. 3. After the reading of Kinos, one should not study Torah. However, subjects like the prophecies of Jeremiah, the book of Job, Midrash Eichah, Moed Katan pp and from p. 19 to the end of the chapter (which deals with the laws of a mourner, etc.), as well as the Aggadah of chapter five in Gittin (pp. 55b-58a) may be studied. 4. One who is ill, even though not in a critical condition, is not bound to complete the fast. This rule applies especially to a woman, from the seventh to the thirtieth day after childbirth. If, however, she feels the fast would not harm her, she should complete the fast. Persons who are unable to fast are not required to eat measured amounts as on Yom Kippur. However, they should not eat more than is necessary to preserve their health. 5. Bathing or washing any part of the body for pleasure is forbidden. However, it is permitted to wash for the purpose of removing visible surface dirt. A woman whose time for ritual immersion occurs on the night of the Ninth of Av should perform the immersion on the following night. One is allowed to rinse the edibles to be used for cooking. 6. Business transactions should be avoided in the morning; in the afternoon, however, they are permitted. -5-

6 7. Leather shoes may not be worn throughout Tisha B'Av. Certain styles of tennis shoes, jogging shoes, and sneakers now contain pieces of leather. The prohibition of wearing leather shoes also includes those made partially of leather. V. TISHA B'AV AFTERNOON AND EVENING 1. In the afternoon it is permissible to sit on a bench or chair. 2. At the Mincha service the Tallis and the Tefillin should be put on and the appropriate blessings should be said. 3. All the parts of the morning service that were left out should be said, that is, Korbanos, Mizmor Letodah, and the Psalm of the Day. VaYechal and the Haftorah are read as on any other public fast. In the repetition of the Amidah, the Reader recites the Birkas Kohanim, and at the conclusion of the Amidah he says the whole Kaddish, including Tiskabel. The Tefillin should be removed before the Maariv service. 4. Many people maintain the custom of reciting the K'rias Shema after the donning of the Tefillin. Other authorities prohibit its recitation. In their opinion it is considered to be a study of Torah -- outside the realm of prayer -- as the essential Mitzvah of K'rias Shema has already been fulfilled in Shacharis. VI. MOTZAEI TISHA B'AV 1. Kiddush Levanah is delayed until Motzaei Tisha B'Av in order that this Mitzvah -- replete with joy -- should represent our hope for the renewal of our entire people in Eretz Yisroel. 2. Havdalah is recited (over wine). The blessing over fire and spices are omitted. 3. Tradition records that the Temple was completely destroyed on the tenth day of Av. The custom is to abstain from the following until midday on the tenth of Av: -6-

7 A. eating meat / drinking wine B. haircuts C. listening to music D. bathing E. laundering of clothing 4. Since, this year, the fast is being observed on the 10 th of Av, the above restrictions are relaxed at the conclusion of the fast. The exception is the consumption of wine and meat for which one must wait until Monday morning. -7-