TISHA B'AV
On Tisha B'Av, five national calamities occurred: (1) During the time of Moshe, Jews in the desert accepted the slanderous report of the 10 Spies, and the decree was issued forbidding them from entering the Land of Israel. (1312 BCE) (2) The First Temple was destroyed by the Babylonians, led by Nebuchadnezzar. 100,000 Jews were slaughtered and millions more exiled. (586 BCE) (3) The Second Temple was destroyed by the Romans, led by Titus. Some two million Jews died, and another one million were exiled. (70 CE) (4) The Bar Kochba revolt was crushed by Roman Emperor Hadrian. Betar, the Jews' last stand against the Romans, was captured and liquidated. Over 100,000 Jews were slaughtered. (135 CE) (5) The Temple area and its surroundings were plowed under by the Roman general Turnus Rufus. Jerusalem was rebuilt as a pagan city -- renamed Aelia Capitolina -- access was forbidden to Jews.
Other grave misfortunes throughout Jewish history occurred on the Ninth of Av, including: (1) The Spanish Inquisition culminated with the expulsion of Jews from Spain on Tisha B'Av in 1492. (2) World War One broke out on the eve of Tisha B'Av in 1914 when Germany declared war on Russia. German resentment from the war set the stage for the Holocaust. (3) On the eve of Tisha B'Av 1942, the mass deportation began of Jews from the Warsaw Ghetto, en route to Treblinka.
ASPECTS OF MOURNING ON TISHA B'AV
Upon sundown, the laws of Tisha B'Av commence -- consisting of the following expressions of mourning:
1. The five basic restrictions (as on Yom Kippur): (a) Eating or drinking until nightfall the following evening. (b) Any bathing or washing, except for removing specific dirt -- e.g. gook in the eyes (OC 554:9, 11). Upon rising in the morning, before prayers, or after using the bathroom, one should wash one's hands until the knuckles (if one's hands are soiled, however, they should of course be washed). (c) Anointing oneself for pleasure. No use of lotions, colognes and perfumes. This includes cosmetics and make-up, but does not include deodorant. (d) Having marital relations. (e) Wearing leather footwear. Leather belts and other leather clothing may be worn.
2. Other limitations include: (a) Suspension of traditional Torah study as it brings "gladness to the heart." It is permitted to learn texts relevant to Tisha B'Av and mourning, which rreflect the spirit of the day -- e.g. the Book of Lamentations, Book of Job, parts of Tractate Moed Katan, Gittin 56-58, Sanhedrin 104, Yerushalmi end of Ta'anit, and the Laws of Mourning. In-depth study should be avoided. See the Tisha B’Av Schedule for various programs of this nature being offered by the OU and Mizrachi throughout the day. (b) Refraining from greeting others or offering gifts -- 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.
3. Additional mourning practices include: (a) Sitting no higher than a foot off the ground. After midday, one may sit on a chair. (b) Tallit & Tefillin are not worn in the morning at Shacharit (6:30AM or 8:30AM), but are worn at Mincha (1:40PM or 7:50PM) instead. (c) Not engaging in business or other distracting labors, unless it will result in a substantial loss. Those who customarily go to work on Tisha B'Av should try to wait until after Chatzot/midday (1:06PM) to do so, although it is preferred that one not engage in work that brings distraction from the Fast even after midday. (d) Avoiding idle chatter or leisure activities.
In most years, 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, because the burning of the Temple continued through the 10th of Av: haircuts and washing clothes, bathing, eating meat and wine, music and swimming. However, because this year the Tenth of Av is a Friday, one is allowed to take a haircut, do laundry, and bathe, in preparation for Shabbat, starting from the morning. If one is pressed for time, they may even start preparing immediately after Tish'a B'Av ends (See Mishna Berurah 558:3, Aruch HaShulchan 558:2).
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.
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!
