THE NINE DAYS
The period commencing with Rosh Chodesh Av, which is this Saturday, July 26th, until the 9th of Av, Sunday, August 3rd is called the ‘Nine Days.’ During this time, a stricter level of mourning is observed than that of the Three Week period of Bein HaMetzarim, in accordance with the Talmudic dictum: "When the month of Av begins, we reduce our joy." (BT Taanit 26)
ASPECTS OF MOURNING DURING THE NINE DAYS
1. It is customary to refrain from eating meat (including poultry) or wine. These foods are symbolic of the Temple service, and eating them is generally considered an expression of celebration and joy. On Shabbat, meat and wine are permitted. This applies also to any other seudat mitzvah -- for example, at a Brit Milah, Simchat Bat, or at the completion of a tractate of Talmud.
2. It is customary to limit bathing to the purpose of daily hygiene. Therefore, one should continue to bathe but in a manner that is somewhat less enjoyable. Those taking swim lessons or who swim for medical reasons may continue to do so.
3. It is customary to wait on purchasing any items that bring great joy. However, one may buy things if they will be difficult to find after the 9th of Av, or even if they will be more expensive later, but if possible should wait to use/wear them until after this period. Purchases necessary for one's livelihood are also permitted.
4. It is customary to postpone beginning home improvements, or the planting of trees and flowers, until after the 9th of Av, as it would seem inconsistent to focus upon our home decor as we mourn the destruction of God’s house.
5. If one has the option, it is preferable to refrain from wearing newly laundered exterior garments (except on Shabbat). If the "freshness" has been taken out of a garment prior to the Nine Days (by having worn it for even a few moments), it may be worn. Some suggest before the Nine Days to start to put on for a few moments any exterior garments you wish to wear in the coming days.
EXCEPTION: The clothing of small children, which gets soiled frequently, may be laundered & worn during the Nine Days.
THE TENTH OF AV
Most of the mourning practices of the nine days extend until Chatzot (Halachic Midday) on the day after Tisha B'Av, which is 1:06pm in Cherry Hill, NJ.
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THE THREE WEEKS
The 17th of Tammuz, commemorating the fall of Jerusalem prior to the destruction of the Temple, marks the beginning of a 3-week national period of mourning culminating with the 9th of Av. Our rabbis referred to the time period between the 17th of Tammuz and the 9th of Av as ‘Bein Hamitzarim,’ between the straits, based on the verse: "All her oppressors have overtaken her within the straits" (Lamentations 1:3). On Shabbat during the Three Weeks, the Haftarot focus upon the Temple's destruction and the exile of the Jewish people.
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REVIEW OF THE ASPECTS OF MOURNING DURING THE THREE WEEKS
1. It is customary to refrain from getting married. (However, one may get engaged.)
2. It is customary to avoid public celebrations -- especially those which involve singing, dancing and musical accompaniment.
3. It is customary to abstain from listening to live music. However, if you make your living as a musician or teacher, or if you are a student practicing, but not performing this does not apply. Recorded music is a debate among contemporary opinions.
4. It is customary to refrain from actions that would require the recital of the blessing Shehechiyanu, i.e. on new food or clothes, except on Shabbat.
5. It is customary to hold off on getting haircuts or shaving. A person who usually shaves daily and would suffer business or financial loss by not shaving, may continue do so.
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Tisha B'Av Schedule
See below for Halachot pertaining to Tisha B'Av that falls out on Sunday
Saturday, August 2nd - Erev Tisha B'Av/Leil Tisha B'Av
6:10pm Mincha
There will be no Seudah Shlishit at SOI
8:13pm Fast begins
8:59 Shabbat Ends
9:15pm Maariv and Eichah
Sunday, August 3rd - Tisha B'Av Morning
8:00am Communal Shacharit with Explanatory Kinot
from Rabbi Davies & Daniel Yehuda
Tisha B'Av Afternoon
1:06pm Chatzot (Halachic Midday)
1:40pm Early Mincha
6:45pm Kumsitz (Songs and Inspiration with Daniel Yehuda)
7:30pm Tallit and Tefillin
7:40pm Mincha & Mini Shiur
8:30pm Maariv
8:57pm Fast ends
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Laws and Customs of Tisha B'Av 5785
when Tisha B'Av falls out on Sunday
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Below, you will find information that pertains specifically to when Tisha B'Av occurs on Sunday, as it does this year. Thanks to Rabbi Jonathan Rosenberg, Rabbi Akiva Males, and Alan Goldkin for this excellent summary of the laws pertaining to the fast.
1) This year, there is no traditional Seudah Ha'Mafeseket (final meal with hard-boiled egg, etc.). Instead, we will daven Mincha earlier than usual (6:10 PM) and return home for Seudah Shlishit. One may eat meat and drink wine at this meal and sing Shabbat Zemirot as on any other Shabbat.
2) The Fast with its restrictions (eating & drinking, bathing & washing, anointing, etc.) begins immediately at sunset (8:13 PM). As we do not display public symbols of mourning on Shabbat, we do not sit on the floor or change from our Shabbat clothes and leather shoes until the official conclusion of Shabbos (8:59 PM).
3) Ma'ariv will be delayed after Shabbos has ended and will begin at 9:15 PM. This will allow those at home to drive to Shul after the conclusion of Shabbat. A declaration of Havdallah (Boruch Ha'Mavdil Bein Kodesh L'Chol) should be recited at the conclusion of Shabbat (after 8:59 PM). [Note: A formal Havdallah is not recited this Motzai Shabbat -- but is postponed until Sunday evening following the Fast.] After the declaration, Tisha B'Av footwear should be worn and one should move from a regular seat and sit low to the floor.
4) If any are planning on being in Shul before the conclusion of Shabbat, it is important to bring Tisha B'Av footwear to Shul before Friday evening and not on Shabbat, to avoid questions of "Hachanah" -- preparation for the Fast on Shabbat.
5) As mentioned, the traditional Havdallah is not recited, but rather postponed until Sunday evening after the Fast. However, the bracha of "Borei Me'orei Ha'Eish" (on the Havdallah candle) is recited following Ma'ariv. (If one was not present in Shul for this, it can be done at home throughout the night.)
6) The reading of Megillat Eichah will begin at approximately 9:25 PM. As previously mentioned, a declaration of Havdallah (Boruch Ha'Mavdil Bein Kodesh L'Chol) should be recited at the conclusion of Shabbat (8:59 PM). After the declaration, Tisha B'Av footwear should be worn. One may then do melachah and drive to Shul.
7) On Tisha B'Av there are five basic restrictions -- as on Yom Kippur:
a) No eating and drinking
b) No bathing or washing. After using the restroom one should wash one's hands until the knuckles (if one's hands are soiled, however, they should of course be washed). Upon rising in the morning, one should also wash "neggel vasser" (Netilat Yadayim) only until the knuckles.
c) No anointing of lotions, colognes and perfumes. This includes cosmetics and make-up, but does not include deodorant.
d) No leather footwear should be worn.
e) No marital relations.
8) On Tisha B'Av traditional Torah study is suspended as it brings "gladness to the heart." Certain Torah topics which reflect the spirit of the day are studied instead. See above for various programs being offered by OU, YU, and Mizrachi throughout the day.
9) On Tisha B'Av we do not greet each other -- even with the customary "Good Morning." If someone initiates a greeting, the response should be soft and somber. It is suggested to explain the reason for the reticence as not to provoke ill-will.
10) Tallit & Tefillin are not worn in the morning at Shacharis (8:00 AM), but are worn at Mincha (1:40 PM or 7:30/7:40 PM) instead.
11) Midday (Chatzot Ha'Yom) is at 1:06 PM. At this time we may return to a regular chair and those who customarily go to work on Tisha B'Av may do so. It is preferred that one not engage in work that brings distraction from the Fast even after midday.
12) Maariv will take place at approximately 8:30 PM, and the Fast ends at 8:57 PM. Before breaking the fast, Havdallah is recited on a cup of wine / grape juice. The Havdallah begins from Borei Pri Ha'Gafen. (The bracha over Be'samim is omitted, and the bracha of Borei Me'Orei Ha'Aish was already recited the evening before.) If a child isn't present to drink the wine / grape juice of Havdallah, an adult can drink it. Havdallah can also be recited on beer (with a bracha of Shehakol instead of Borei Pri Ha'Gafen).
13) Please remember, on Tisha B'Av there are certain leniencies with regard to the actual fasting. If in doubt whether or not one should be fasting, questions should always be asked -- preferably in advance of the Fast. Obviously if it is a matter of Pikuach Nefesh (preserving life), action should be taken immediately.
14) If an adult needs to eat on Tisha B'Av following Shabbat, (e.g. someone who is ill, pregnant, nursing mother, etc.) Havadallah is required first. The procedure is the same as mentioned in #12. A child between the ages of 6-9, should drink the majority of the cup. If no child is available, the adult should drink a cheek-full (approximately 1.6 ounces). It is preferable to use grape juice instead of wine.
15) Following Tisha B'Av, all normal activities may be resumed, except for the following practices of the nine days which are extended until Chatzot/midday of the Tenth of Av (Monday at 1:06 PM), because the burning of the Temple continued through the 10th of Av: haircuts and washing clothes, bathing, eating meat and drinking wine, music and swimming.
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Our Sages taught that all who properly mourn the loss of the Temple and Jerusalem will one day merit seeing them rebuilt in their full glory. May we all see that day soon!
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