Tisha B'Av - History and Laws

Tisha B'Av - The "ninth day" in the Jewish month of Av, which starts at sundown on the eighth day and concludes at sundown on the ninth day of Av. This is the day when the intensity of the entire three week mourning period reaches its peak.

The Nine Days and Tisha B’av

The Nine Days of Av

During these days we decrease our joy as we remember the Temple and its destruction.

The restrictions of the Three Weeks are still in effect, which are as follows:

1. Getting a haircut or shaving (many permit shaving, if it is necessary for work and before Shabbat)
2. Getting married, as well as attending a wedding or any festive celebration (getting engaged is permitted)
3. Listening to live music (some prohibit recorded music as well)
4. Purchasing or wearing an item of particular significance, in that one would generally recite the blessing of "shehecheyanu" (e.g. a new suit, jewelry)

There are also several new restrictions, as follows (customs vary for those of Sephardic origin):

1. Eating meat, including poultry (with the exception of Shabbat)
2. Drinking wine or grape juice (with the exception of Shabbat)
3. Wearing freshly laundered clothing (on Shabbat this is permitted, as well as for small children)
4. Bathing for pleasure (one may bathe as necessary to clean one's self, preferably using colder water than usual)
5. Significant home improvements

The three weeks and nine days conclude after Tisha B'Av, Sunday, August 7th (which this year is the 10th of Av, as the 9th of Av is on Shabbat), a day on which we will gather in the morning to recite kinnot (elegies) and mourn together.

Let's hope and pray to experience the fulfillment of the Talmud's statement, "Those who properly mourn Jerusalem will merit to see her rebuilt."

Tisha B'Av - History and Laws

Tisha B'Av - The "ninth day" in the Jewish month of Av, which starts at sundown on the eighth day and concludes at sundown on the ninth day of Av. This is the day when the intensity of the entire three week mourning period reaches its peak.

History:

• The sin of the spies caused Hashem to decree that the Children of Israel who left Egypt would not be permitted to enter the land of Israel;

• The first Temple was destroyed;

• The second Temple was destroyed;

• Betar, the last fortress to hold out against the Romans during the Bar Kochba revolt in the year 135, fell, sealing the fate of the Jewish people.

• One year after the fall of Betar, the Temple area was plowed.

• In 1492, King Ferdinand of Spain issued the expulsion decree, setting Tisha B'Av as the final date by which not a single Jew would be allowed to walk on Spanish soil.

• World War I - which began the downward slide to the Holocaust - began on Tisha B'av.

Prohibitions:

Observances:

Havdalah:

When Tisha B'Av falls out on Shabbat, the mourning begins Saturday night instead, disrupting our usual Havdalah practice. At the conclusion of Shabbat, the bracha of Boreh Meorei HaEsh upon a fire is made before the reading of Eicha. The bracha of Havdalah on a cup of wine, however, is delayed until after Tisha B'av is over on Sunday night, and the blessing over spices is omitted entirely. On Saturday night, once Shabbat is over and before performing Melacha (labor), one should also say "Baruch HaMavdil Bein Kodesh LeChol" (Blessed is He who separates between holy and mundane). Only after reciting “Baruch Hamavdil Bein Kodesh LeChol”, one should change out of leather shoes before making their way to shul. 

• At the evening Ma'ariv service, the entire congregation sits on the floor and recites the Book of Eicha (Lamentations) where the prophet Jeremiah weeps the destruction, and we weep with him. The morning of Tisha B'Av is the saddest part of the day. We recite Kinot, and the men do not don Tefillin at Shacharit, because Tefillin are called "Pe-ar," "Glory," and this is definitely not a day of glory for the Jewish People.

• It is forbidden to greet friends or acquaintances on Tisha B'Av. However, if greeted first, one should answer, but in a low tone in order not to arouse resentment.

• Until Mincha on Tisha B'Av one should try to avoid sitting on a chair or bench. Instead, the custom is to stand or sit on the floor, just like a mourner during the Shiva (traditional seven days of mourning a loved one).

• Beginning at Mincha sitting on chairs is permitted, and we reduce the intensity of the grief that has pervaded us so far. Also, men put on Tefillin and recite those Tefillot that were omitted at Shacharit.