Halachos of 3 Weeks and Tisha B’av

Halacha summary adapted from Halacha Shiurim of Rabbi Bezalel Rudinsky

Heshy Friedman [email protected]

Buying Items during the 3 Weeks Shiur based on Dvar Halacha_Tisha BAv and 3 Weeks: 2017_07_19

• According to the Sefer Chasidim, the problem of making new purchases during the 3 weeks is making a Brocha of Shehecheyanu. • The reason is that the 3 weeks are days of mourning, and therefore it is not proper to make such a Brocha during this time. • Based on this, R’ Moshe Feinstein holds that the problem of purchasing new items is specifically related to the Brocha and not the purchase, and therefore only items requiring a Shehecheyanu would be problematic to buy during the 3 weeks. • According to R’ Moshe, new purchases that don’t require a Shehecheyanu, even if they give one enjoyment, would be permitted. • Furthermore, even items that require a Hatov U’maitiv, where the enjoyment of the item will be shared by others, would be permitted according to R’ Moshe. • This implies that a purchase for a family, such as a new car, would be permitted during the 3 weeks, whereas a smaller purchase such as a suit would not be permitted. • R’Yaakov Kaminetsky disagrees, and feels that any occasional purchase that gives enjoyment and would require a Shehechanyu if it was purchased for oneself would not be permitted to purchase. • One should be Machmir like Rav Yaakov. • However, even according to Rav Yaakov, anything that is a functional necessity, such as a new car if the old one breaks down, or a washing machine, would be permitted to purchase during the 3 weeks. • One should be Machmir to postpone purchasing any non-essential item (such as sporting goods or luxury items that one doesn’t need during the 3 weeks), even if they don’t require a Shehecheyanu but still provide enjoyment. • However, if the item is on sale or won’t be available after the 3 weeks, one may purchase it, but should not start using it until after the 3 weeks.

Aveilus at the Start of Shiur based on Dvar Halacha_Tisha BAv and 3 Weeks: 2011_06_16, 2011_06_24

• The restrictions of the three weeks, such as haircuts and music, start on the night of Shiva Asar B’ at Tzais Hakochavim. One may be lenient during Bain Hashmashos. • Regarding making a wedding, or other leniencies on Leil Shiva Asar B’Tamuz, if they are a Tzorich Gadol , one may be lenient only upon asking a Shayla to a competent Rav. • One should be stringent on Shiva Asar B’Tamuz regarding Rechitza, Sicha, and Tashmish Hamittah. • It is preferred not to take a haircut immediately prior to the three weeks, as coming in to the three weeks with freshly groomed hair detracts from the spirit of Aveilus. • This stringency is only by haircuts, and not by shaving, which one generally does daily.

Music during the Three Weeks Shiur based on Dvar Halacha_Tisha BAv and 3 Weeks: 2011_06_16 & Shabbos Halacha shiur in Shul July 22, 2017

• One may not listen to any form of music during the three weeks. • This is not only limited to live music, but also includes tapes, CDs, or digital music. • A cappella music should equally be avoided, as it sounds like regular music and provides Simcha. • If one suffers year-round depression, and music helps them, listening would then be permitted for them. • If one is driving and is tired, and needs music to help stay awake, this would also be permitted. However, the act of driving, even long distances, does not constitute a heter. • Music as a background, such as while shopping, waiting on hold on the phone, or during a commercial, do not constitute a problem and one need not avoid being in such a situation.

When to Stop Eating Meat at the Onset of Shiur based on Dvar Halacha_Tisha BAv and 3 Weeks: 2011_06_24

• There is a disagreement among Poskim when one must stop having meat at the onset of the nine days. • R’ Moshe Feinstein says that as long as one started their Fleishig meal on Erev prior to Shkiyah, they can keep on eating Fleishig. • Halacha Limaisa, one may not eat Fleishig after Shkiya, unless he started the Fleishig meal prior to Shikya, and it extended past Shkiya, in which case we may rely on the Psak of R’ Moshe and permit the continuation of eating. • However, in this circumstance, one must still make sure to stop eating Fleishig by Tzais Hakochavim.

Talmud Torah on Tisha B’Av Shiur based on Dvar Halacha_Tisha BAv and 3 Weeks: 2011_06_21

• Although it is not permitted to learn on Tisha B’Av, one is allowed to learn the Sugyos of the Churban and Dvarim Ha’roim, as well as all of Hilchos Tisha B’Av. • In fact, there is still a Chiyuv of Torah on Tisha B’Av to learn the appropriate topics. • One would only be exempt from Talmud Torah when fully absorbed in the Churban, but realistically today most people are not on that level. • Therefore, the obligation of Talmud Torah still applies to most people on Tisha B’av regarding those topics that one is permitted to learn. • There is a Machlokes if one may write a Chiddush Torah while learning Dvarim Ha’roim if he is worried about forgetting it. Since writing Chiddushei Torah gives Simcha, one should avoid this, unless it is a Divrei Hosorirus in mode with the spirit of Tisha B’Av.