Candle Welcome to the DAT ! Lighting (earliest) 6:49p Mevarchim (Pinchas) (latest) 8:01p July 27, 2019 - 24 5779 Joseph Friedman, | Mark Raphaely, President 9:04p

Shabbat Schedule D’var with Rabbi Sacks said to the Lord, “May the Lord, God of the spirits of all flesh, appoint a man over this (All services take place in the BMH-BJ Fisher Hall, community to go out and come in before them, one who will lead them out and bring them in, 560 S. Monaco Pkwy) so the Lord’s people will not be like sheep without a shepherd.” (Num. 27:15–17) Moses was in sight of the Angel of Death. Miriam had died. So had . And God had told Please help make our prayer service more meaningful Moses “you too will be gathered to your people, as your brother Aaron was.” (Num. 27:12–13), so he knew he was not fated to live long enough to cross the Jordan and enter the land. Who by refraining from talking during the service. would be his successor? Did he have any thoughts on the matter? With profound attentiveness, the Sages noted the immediately previous passage. It is the story of the daughters of Tzelophehad, who claim their rights of inheritance in the land, despite the fact FRIDAY that inheritance passed through the male line and their father had left no sons. Moses brought their request to God, who answered that it was to be granted. 6:35 pm: Mincha / Kabbalat Shabbat / Maariv Against this background, the interprets Moses’ thoughts as he brings his own request to God, that a successor be appointed: (Shema should be recited after 9:05 pm) What was Moses’ reason for making this request after declaring the order of inheritance? Just this, that when the daughters of Tzelophehad inherited from their father, Moses reasoned: The SHABBAT time is right for me to make my own request. If daughters inherit, it is surely right that my sons should inherit my glory. Parasha: Page 876 / : Page 1192 The Holy One, Blessed Be He, said to him, “He who keeps the fig tree shall eat its fruit” (Prov. 27:18). Your sons sat idly by and did not study the Torah. Joshua served you faithfully and showed you great honour. It was he who rose early in the morning and remained late at night 7:50 am: Hashkama Minyan at your House of Assembly. He used to arrange the benches and spread the mats. Seeing that he has served you with all his might, he is worthy to serve Israel, for he shall not lose his 8:20 am: Daf Yomi reward. This is the unspoken drama of the chapter. Not only was Moses fated not to enter the land, but Tefillah Warm-up with Ellyn Hutt is on break he was also destined to see his sons overlooked in the search for a successor. That was his second until August 24th personal tragedy. But it is precisely here that we find, for the first time, one of ’s most powerful propositions. Biblical Israel had its dynasties. Both Priesthood and, in a later age, Kingship were 9:00 am: Shacharit handed down from father to son. Yet there is a staunchly egalitarian strand in Judaism from the outset. Ironically, it is given one of its most powerful expressions in the mouth of the rebel, (Shema should be recited before 9:30 am) Korach: “All the congregation are holy and the Lord is in their midst. Why then do you (Moses) set yourselves above the congregation?” (Num. 16:3). is available for sponsorship But it was not only Korach who gave voice to such a sentiment. We hear it in the words of Moses himself: “Would that all the Lord’s people were Prophets and that the Lord would put His spirit on 6:35 pm: HS Boys’ Class with Nathan them” (Num. 11:29). Rabinovitch will meet at the Rabinovitch home We hear it again in the words of Hannah when she gives thanksgiving for the birth of her son: The Lord sends poverty and wealth; He humbles and He exalts. He raises the poor from the dust 6:55 pm: Shabbat Afternoon Class with Rabbi and lifts the needy from the ash heap; He seats them with princes and has them inherit a throne of honour. (I Sam. 2:7–8) Friedman on the topic, “Can We Ask When It is implicit in the great holiness command: “The Lord said to Moses, ‘Speak to the entire Mashiach Will Come?” assembly of Israel and say to them: Be holy, because I, the Lord your God, am holy’” (Lev. 19:2). This is not a call to Priests or Prophets – a sacred elite – but to an entire people. There is, within 7:55 pm: Mincha followed by Seudah Shlisheet Judaism a profound egalitarian instinct: the concept of a nation of individuals standing with equal dignity in the presence of God. 9:04 pm: Maariv / Havdalah Korach was wrong less in what he said than in why he said it. He was a demagogue attempting to seize power. But he tapped into a deep reservoir of popular feeling and religious principle. —————————————————— have never been easy to lead because each is called on to be a leader. What Korach forgot is that to be a leader it is also necessary to be a follower. Leadership presupposes discipleship. That is Weekday Schedule what Joshua knew, and what led to him being chosen as Moses’ successor. The tradition is summed up in the famous Maimonidean ruling: (Weekday services Sunday through Friday morning take place at DAT School, 6825 E. Alameda Ave.) With three crowns was Israel crowned – with the crown of Torah, the crown of Priesthood, and the crown of Kingship. The crown of Priesthood was bestowed on Aaron and his descendants. The crown of Kingship was conferred on David and his successors. But the crown of Torah is for all Israel. Whoever wishes, let them come and take it. Do not suppose that the other two crowns are greater than that of Torah…. The crown of Torah is greater than the other two SHACHARIT crowns. This had immense social and political consequences. Throughout most of the biblical era, all three Sunday: 8:00 am crowns were in operation. In addition to Prophets, Israel had Kings and an active Priesthood serving in the Temple. The dynastic principle – leadership passing from father to son – still Monday and Thursday: 6:30 am dominated two of the three roles. But with the destruction of the , Kingship and a functioning Tuesday, Wednesday: 6:35 am Priesthood ceased. Leadership passed to the Sages who saw themselves as heirs to the Prophets. We see this in the famous one-sentence summary of with (Continued on Page 2) Friday: 6:25 am ( ) We kindly ask you to pay any outstanding balances owed to the shul from

last year. Please call the shul office or pay online after logging into your MINCHA/MAARIV account at www.datminyan.org. Dues for the first half of our new fiscal Sunday through Friday: 6:30pm year have now been posted to all applicable accounts. Thank you! DAT Minyan is a dynamic and friendly Modern Orthodox for all ages and dedicated to meaningful personal spiritual development, community growth, youth involvement, Torah education, and Religious . DAT Minyan - 560 S. Monaco Pkwy., Denver, CO 80224 - 720-941-0479 - www.datminyan.org D’VAR TORAH CONTINUED

Rabbi Sacks (Continued from Page 1) which Tractate Avot (Ethics of the Fathers) begins: “Moses received the Torah from Sinai and handed it on to Joshua, who handed it on to the elders, the elders to the Prophets, and the Prophets to the men of the Great Assembly” ( Avot 1:1). The see themselves as heirs to the Prophets rather than to the Priests. In biblical Israel, the Priests were the primary guardians and teachers of Torah. Why did the Rabbis not see themselves as heirs to Aaron and the Priesthood? The answer may be this: Priesthood was a dynasty. Prophetic leadership, by contrast, could never be predicted in advance. The proof was Moses. The very fact that his children did not succeed him as leaders of the people may have been an acute distress to him but it was a deep consolation to everyone else. It meant that anyone, by discipleship and dedication, could aspire to Rabbinic leadership and the crown of Torah. Hence we find in the sources a paradox. On the one hand, the Torah describes itself as an inheritance: “Moses commanded us the Torah as an inheritance [morasha] of the congregation of Jacob” (Deut. 33:4). On the other hand, the Sages were insistent that Torah is not an inheritance: “R. Yose said: Prepare yourself to learn Torah, for it is not given to you as an inheritance [yerusha]” (Mishnah Avot 2:12). The simplest resolution of the contradiction is that there are two kinds of inheritance. contains two different words for what we receive as a legacy: yerusha/morasha and nachala. Nachala is related to the word nachal, “a river.” It signifies something passed down automatically across the generations, as river water flows downstream, easily and naturally. Yerusha comes from the root yarash, meaning “to take possession.” It refers to something to which you have legitimate title, but which you need positive action to acquire. A hereditary title, such as being a duke or an earl, is passed from father to son. So too is a family business. The difference is that the first needs no effort on the part of the heir, but the second requires hard work if the business is to continue to be worth something. Torah is like a business, not a title. It must be earned if it is to be sustained. The Sages themselves put it more beautifully: “‘Moses commanded us the Torah as an inheritance [morasha] of the congregation of Jacob’ – read not ‘inheritance [morasha]’ but ‘betrothed [me’orasa]’” (Berachot 57a). By a simple change in pronunciation – turning a shin [=“sh”] into a sin [=“s”], “inheritance” into “betrothal” – the Rabbis signalled that, yes, there is an inheritance relationship between Torah and the , but the former has to be loved if it is to be earned. You have to love Torah if you are to inherit it. The Sages were fully aware of the social implications of R. Yose’s dictum that the Torah “is not given to you as an inheritance.” It meant that literacy and learning must never become the preserve of an elite: And why is it not usual for scholars to give birth to sons who are scholars? Yosef said: So that it should not be said that the Torah is their inheritance. (Nedarim 81a) The Sages were constantly on their guard against exclusivist attitudes to Torah. Equality is never preserved without vigilance – and indeed there were contrary tendencies. We see this in one of the debates between the schools of Hillel and Shammai: “Raise up many disciples” – The school of Shammai says: A person is to teach only one who is wise, humble, of good stock, and rich. But the school of Hillel says: Everyone is to be taught. For there were many transgressors in Israel who were attracted to the study of Torah, and from them sprang righteous, pious, and worthy men. To what may it be compared? “To a woman who sets a hen to brood on eggs – out of many eggs, she may hatch only a few, but out of a few [eggs], she hatches none at all.” One cannot predict who will achieve greatness. Therefore Torah must be taught to all. A later episode illustrates the virtue of teaching everyone: Once Rav came to a certain place where, though he had decreed a fast [for rain], no rain fell. Eventually someone else stepped forward in front of Rav before the Ark and prayed, “Who causes the wind to blow” – and the wind blew. Then he prayed, “Who causes the rain to fall” – and the rain fell. Rav asked him: What is your occupation [i.e., what is your special virtue that causes God to answer your prayers]? He replied: I am a teacher of young children. I teach Torah to the children of the poor as well as to the children of the rich. From those who cannot afford it, I take no payment. Besides, I have a fish pond, and I offer fish to any boy who refuses to study, so that he comes to study. (Ta’anit 24a) It would be wrong to suppose that these attitudes prevailed in all places at all times. No nation achieves perfection. Anaptitude for learning is not equally distributed within any group. There is always a tendency for the most intelligent and scholarly to see themselves as more gifted than others and for the rich to attempt to purchase a better education for their children than the poor. Yet to an impressive – even remarkable – degree, Jews were vigilant in ensuring that no one was excluded from education and that schools and teachers were paid for by public funds. By many centuries, indeed millennia, Jews were the first to democratise education. The crown of Torah was indeed open to all. Moses’ tragedy was Israel’s consolation. “The Torah is their inheritance.” The fact that his successor was not his son, but Joshua, his disciple, meant that one form of leadership – historically and spiritually the most important of the three crowns – could be aspired to by everyone. Dignity is not a privilege of birth. Honour is not confined to those with the right parents. In the world defined and created by Torah, everyone is a potential leader. We can all earn the right to wear the crown. Shabbat Shalom

This Day in Jewish History - 27 July / 24 Tammuz  24 Tammuz 4859 (1099) - As the First Crusade rages on, under the command of Godfrey de Bouillon, the Crusaders capture , herding many of the city’s Jews into a synagogue. Tragically, the crusaders set fire to the building, burning alive all of the Jewish men, women and children who were inside. Some 20 to 30-thousand of Jerusalem’s Jewish population was massacred or sold for slaves during the Crusade, and for the next 88 years of Crusader control of Jerusalem, Jews were barred from the city.  July 27, 1924 – The Eighth Olympic Summer Games come to a close in Paris, at which British Jew Harold Abrahams wins the gold medal for the 100-meter dash. Abrahams’ story later became the subject matter for the 1981-released movie “Chariots of Fire.” Following his success at the Olympics, Abrahams’ athletic career unfortunately ended a year later when he broke his leg while long-jumping, but he remained connected to sports through his work as an athletics journalist and sports commentator for BBC radio and as President of the Jewish Athletic Association.  July 27, 1940 - One of the world’s most beloved animated characters, Bugs Bunny, makes his debut in the cartoon “A Wild Hare,” with American Jewish actor and radio personality Mel Blanc supplying the voice. During his career of more than 60- years in radio, Blanc became famous for his work in animation, providing the voices for many of the cartoon characters for Looney Tunes, Merrie Melodies and Warner Brothers, earning him the nickname “The Man of a Thousand Voices.” On his gravestone in Hollywood reads the words of his famous unkosher character, Porky Pig, “That’s All Folks.”  July 27, 1955 - In its first and only crash of a passenger airliner, EL Al flight 402 is shot out of the sky by two Bulgarian jet fighters. The plane was enroute to Tel Aviv from Vienna when it strayed into Bulgarian airspace and was shot down near the Bulgarian town of Petrich. None of the 58 people on the plane survived.

Please help make our prayer service more meaningful by refraining from talking during the service. DAT MINYAN NEWS, EVENTS AND MILESTONES

 Gentlemen, put 30 minutes of extra special meaning into your day by participating in at least one of our daily Minyanim. With many of our Minyan regulars away during this season, we need everyone’s help with Minyan attendance so that we can support those in our community who must say Kaddish each day. Daily Minyan times are listed on Page 1 of the Newsletter. Do a ! Make a Minyan!  When mailing correspondence to the DAT Minyan, kindly use the 560 S. Monaco address that is shown on our website and in the Newsletter. Since our offices are at the Monaco address, and with the DAT School receiving sporadic mail delivery during the summer break, this will help to assure we receive mailed items from you on a timely basis.  Thank-you to all of those who contribute to our Shabbat services by signing up to help with our weekly leining. We remain in need of continued help with this and all able-leiners are encouraged to please volunteer! In addition, with a goal of expanding our roster of Haftarah readers, we have now opened up the weekly Haftarah portions for sign-up as well. The sign-up website is www.datminyan.org/laining. Slots are open from now until . Please contact Steve Hutt for questions and additional information. COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS  Colorado Grandparent.com invites boomers and seniors in our community to “The Living Well Expo,” a free event showcasing a variety of lifestyle exhibitors with products and services designed for our boomer and senior population, Sunday, July 28th, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm at BMH-BJ. The event will feature speakers, a fitness class, food and door prizes. Register at TheLivingWellExpo.com .  The Denver Community Adopt a Program invites men and women in the community to an Open House celebrating its fifth year, Sunday, July 28 at the home of Mr. and Mrs. David Fine, 1664 Wolff, from 8:30-10 pm. If you are not yet participating, now is an excellent opportunity to find out how the Denver community, along with 300 communities worldwide, is helping to spread Torah in Eretz Yisrael in a way that has never been done before. If you are already participating, come take the opportunity to see first-hand what you have helped make possible. Refreshments will be served.  The community is invited to attend Jewish in the City ’s Annual Jewish Night Out with the Colorado Rockies, Monday, July 29th. The evening features a pre-game Kosher barbecue at 5:00 pm, with the Rockies versus Dodgers game at 6:40 pm. To purchase tickets online, go to JewishNightOut.com, or for email information, [email protected]  East Side Kosher Deli presents an exclusive wine tasting and pairing event, Monday, July 29th, 6:00 pm at the Deli. Experience a four- course tasting menu with matching wines, hosted by Joshua Horowitz, Executive Chef at East Side Kosher Deli, and Jacob Ner David, co -founder of the Jezreel Valley Winery. Reservations required and space is limited. Phone: 303-322-9862 or email: [email protected] .

DAT Minyan acknowledges the following milestones* of our members this Shabbat and in the coming week:

Claudia Braunstein, Brian Demain, Jonathan Prostak, Samson Prostak, Joshua Rubin, Eric Shafran, Chaya Sarah Tene

Herschel Brown, Wed., 7/31/19 (28 Tammuz)

*These details were obtained from the DAT Minyan database, which contains information provided by the members when they joined. We apologize for any omissions or errors. For changes, please log on to your account and update the information as needed, or contact the synagogue office at 720-941-0479.

THANK YOU FOR INSPIRING FUTURE GENERATIONS WITH YOUR GENEROSITY We would like to thank our Legacy Society donors for investing in our future by naming the DAT Minyan with a gift in their will, trust, retirement account or life insurance policy. Our Legacy Society You can add your name to this list with a legacy gift to the DAT includes: Minyan. To arrange for your gift or for more information about our Legacy Society program, please contact any of the following Rob Allen Committee Members: Rob Allen, Myndie Brown, Sarah Raphaely or Graeme and Irit Bean Steve Weiser. Myndie Brown Steve and Ellyn Hutt Nathan and Rachel Rabinovitch Mark and Sarah Raphaely Harley and Sara Rotbart Michael Stutzer Steve and Lori Weiser

Please help make our prayer service more meaningful by refraining from talking during the service. EDUCATIONAL AND YOUTH ANNOUNCEMENTS

Learning Opportunities @ the DAT Minyan • Kitzur : Daily, after Shacharit • Daf Yomi Shiur (30 min): after Shacharit on Sun through Fri , and 8:20 am on Shabbat

• Mishnayot: Daily, between Mincha and Maariv Our Junior Congregation program • “Short & Sweet Class” (30 min-never longer): Wed, 9:20 am, DAT Minyan is on summer break, but will offices at BMH-BJ (men only) return in the fall. ALL youth groups meet at 9:00 am. Our “Morning Motivation” Program for

teens is on break for the next few months, If you or someone you know but will return at the end of the summer. (college age and above) is interest- ed in working in the Youth Groups Program, please contact Mor at [email protected].

Important Security Reminder

For the safety and security of everyone attending the DAT Minyan, we ask that all children either be in attendance at one of our childrens’ programs or with a parent AT ALL TIMES when in the building. Children may not be left unescorted to roam hallways or attend BMH-BJ Shabbat programs and events unless accompanied by an adult.

Refuah Shelayma Please include the following names in your prayers. May each be granted a Refuah Shelayma. Names are kept on the list until the next Rosh Chodesh. Help us keep the list accurate by verifying the necessary details each month on the Cholim Document at https://goo.gl/aeyJG2.

Bella bat Malka Margarite bat Elvira Chava bat Nissa Mascha bat Rus Eliyahu Chaim ha Cohen ben Sara Rifka Mayer Benya ben Nechama Eliyahu Dovid ben Ita Sheiva Mendel Ila ben Frida Miriam Etel bat Masa Suma Michel ben Leah Guy Chaim ben Rita Michoel Zisel ben Barbara Leibel ben Harriet Raphael Lior ben Miriam Levick Yitzchak ben Bracha Roshka bat Bryna Leya bat Sara Yonatan Zeev ben Netaa

Please help make our prayer service more meaningful by refraining from talking during the service. MORE DAT MINYAN EVENTS AND LEARNING

LAWS OF Rabbi Joseph Friedman, DAT Minyan There are four distinct periods during this time of national mourning: The Three Weeks (beginning from the 17th of Tammuz, which is July 20th), the Nine Days (which begin on Thursday evening, August 1st), the Week of Tisha B’Av (“Shavua SheChal Bo”), and Tisha B’Av (which has three periods: Erev Tisha B’Av, Tisha B’Av before midday, and after midday). This week we begin the Three Weeks.

1. THE THREE WEEKS (applies to Ashkenazic Jews only): • There is a generally accepted custom that both men and women refrain from both haircuts and shaving during the Three Weeks.  It is important to note that Rav Soloveitchik believed that the period of the Three Weeks mirrors the period of twelve months of mourning one observes after the death of a parent. He held (See Nefesh HaRav) that just as it the practice of most people – following Shloshim - to shave regularly during the twelve-month period (after initially allowing a few days of growth), one may do the same during the Three Weeks.  It is equally important to note this is not the approach of the majority of Poskim, who maintain the prohibition of both shaving and haircuts applies. However, even those Poskim agree a person may shave if this will cause him a financial loss or create difficulty in his business. However, if it would suffice for him to shave even once or twice a week, he should do so as opposed to shaving every day. • A married woman, or one of marriageable age (e.g. a girl dating), may shave her legs even during the Nine Days. • It is an accepted custom to refrain from listening to any music, whether live or recorded during this period.  A professional music teacher may teach music during the Three Weeks, even after Rosh Chodesh Av. Similarly, one may learn music and practice during this period of time even if it’s not for one’s livelihood.  It is permitted to attend an exercise class, even if there is music playing in the background.  Similarly, one may listen to music if the purpose is not the music itself. Examples include: a driver may play music if he is fearful he may fall asleep otherwise. at the wheel; a parent may play music in the home if it will reduce tension with little children.  Acapella music is not included in this prohibition (according to many poskim). • One may not get married during this period. However, one may get engaged – even on Tisha B’Av itself. While one should not have a festive meal celebrating the engagement during the Nine Days, such a meal is permitted during the Three Weeks. • We refrain from reciting the Beracha of “She’hecheyanu.” Therefore, one should not purchase, or wear for the first time, a garment that would require such a brocha (e.g. suits, gowns, etc.). Clothing that does not require a She’hecheyanu (e.g. shoes, socks, shirts, pants, etc.), may be purchased and worn until Rosh Chodesh Av. • A person should not purchase a new home during this period. However, it is permissible to enter into contract – including remitting a down payment on a house or apartment – during this period. • This year, since Tisha B’Av is deferred, cutting one nails is permitted up to and including Erev Shabbat before Tisha B’Av. • General home improvements (as opposed to, say, building an addition) are permitted until Rosh Chodesh Av. In specific cases, please consult Rabbi Friedman. MORE DAT MINYAN EVENTS AND LEARNING

LAWS OF THE NINE DAYS and TISHA B’AV Rabbi Joseph Friedman, DAT Minyan 1. THE NINE DAYS (applies to Ashkenazic Jews only): Beginning with sunset before Rosh Chodesh Av (Thursday evening, August 1st), the Nine-Day period commences. • MEAT & WINE  Except for Shabbat, one may not eat meat or poultry, or consume any food containing meat or poultry.  Food cooked in a clean meat pot may be eaten, even if the pot had been used for meat within the last 24 hours.  Meat and wine are permitted at a such as at a Brit, and a Bar Mitzvah (if it is Bo Ba- yom, the ACTUAL day of the Bar Mitzvah, not just scheduled on that day).  One who is ill, pregnant or nursing may eat meat, if so needed. If an option, chicken is preferable.  Wine/grape juice may not be consumed during this period except for Shabbat or at a Seudat Mitzvah.  Healthy children over the age of 6 are considered of “Chinch” age regarding the prohibition regarding meat and wine. • BATHING  During the Nine Days one may take a daily shower for purposes of hygiene. While a minority of Poskim allow even a hot shower, one is encouraged to use lukewarm water.  Showering or bathing for pleasure (as opposed to hygiene) is prohibited, even in cold water. Swimming or using a sauna for pleasure is likewise forbidden.  This year, since Rosh Chodesh Av falls out on Erev Shabbat, one is permitted to shower regularly in hot water on Erev Shabbat (August 2nd). • LAUNDRY, CLOTHING & CLEANING  It is forbidden to wash or dry-clean clothing and linen during the Nine Days, even if it is done by a non-Jew. Ironing clothing is also prohibited. One may not give garments to a dry cleaner during the Nine Days to be picked up after the Nine Days. However, one may give clothing to the cleaners before Rosh Chodesh, but may only pick them up after Tisha B'Av.  One may not wash a sheitel during the Nine Days. However, one may wear a freshly washed sheitel, and one may blow dry a sheitel. However, one may not cut, dye or add hair, even to an old sheitel.  It is permitted to wash out a stain from a garment, even with water.  Small children's clothing may be washed during the Nine Days.  Wet clothes (e.g. sprinkler or sudden rain shower) may be placed in the dryer.  One may not wear new or freshly laundered clothing or linen during the Nine Days except for underwear or socks. A minority opinion permits wearing freshly laundered shirts, since we change these daily similar to underwear and socks. It is preferable however, to wear all shirts briefly before the Nine Days commence. Suits, blouses, etc. from the dry cleaners must also be worn for a short period of time before the Nine Days.  One MAY wear freshly laundered or cleaned suits for Shabbat even when Tisha B'Av occurs on Shabbat, like this year. Any freshly laundered shirts worn on Shabbat may then be worn during the week.  Purchasing new clothing is forbidden during the Nine Days, even if they will be worn after the Nine Days. This prohi- bition includes all types of clothing, even those upon which a She’hecheyanu is not recited.  Sneakers for Tisha B'Av may be bought if one was unable to buy them previously.  It is permissible to purchase clothing, furniture, appliances, etc. during the Nine Days if they are on sale or if you will suffer a substantial loss if you will delay the purchase.  During the Nine Days, one may exchange items purchased before the Nine Days, even though you will receive a new item in return.  It is permissible to sew a tear, or to sew on a button. • MISCELLANEOUS  Any form of home decorating should not be done during the Nine Days, including planting trees or flowers in the garden. It is, however, permissible to water and/or mow the lawn, or prune trees during this period of time. MORE DAT MINYAN EVENTS AND LEARNING

 Children above the age of 6 (age of “Chinuch”) should minimize various pleasurable activities during the Nine Day period (e.g. going to an amusement park).

2. THE WEEK OF TISHA B'AV – “Shavua SheChal Bo” This year, Tisha B'Av falls out on Shabbat, and the fast is “pushed off” to Sunday. The Shulchan Aruch records a dispute whether the laws of Shavua SheChal Bo apply for the entire week prior to Tisha B'av, or do not apply at all. We hold of the opinion there is NO Shavua SheChal Bo.

3. EREV TISHA B'AV (Shabbat) Despite the fact the fast itself is pushed off until Sunday, Shabbat is still actually Tisha B’Av, and consequently the nature of the day is reflected in some ways. • Marital relations are prohibited, unless it is the night of Tevilah. • Leisurely strolls are prohibited. • One should not use a fresh tablecloth on this Shabbat (one may use a fresh tablecloth on Shabbat during the Nine Days, but in this case, Shabbat is actually Tisha B’Av). • Following Mincha, everyone will return home for Seudat Shlishit. This will be the final meal before the fast. The meal may be extravagant; meat, of course, is allowed.  However, guests should not be invited to Seudat Shlishit, unless they will have nowhere else to eat. It is permitted to have a Mezuman for Bentching. • Because Erev Tisha B’Av is on Shabbat, there is no Seuda Ha’Mafseket (the hard-boiled egg and ashes). • One must stop eating prior to sunset (Shkiya), which will be at 8:02 pm. • After Shabbat ends (8:47 pm), everyone should say the abridged Havdalah (“Baruch HaMavdil Ben Kodesh L’Chol”), change into non-leather shoes, and return to shul for Maariv, Eicha and (we will begin Maariv at 9:10 pm), as is the custom in Israel. • On Motza'ei Shabbat, Havdala is omitted (it will be said on Sunday night, but without the spices and the flame), yet the Beracha of “Borei M'Orei Ha'Aish” is recited on a flame. This Beracha will be recited in shul prior to the recitation of Eicha. If one does not hear the Beracha in shul, they should recite it at home.

4. TISHA B'AV • A woman who gave birth is exempt from fasting for 30 days after the actual birth. • Pregnant and nursing mothers (who are in good health) should begin fasting. If in the duration of the fast they feel ill, faint, exceedingly weak, they may eat regularly (especially this year, when Tisha B’Av is pushed off). If there are any specific circum- stances, please consult Rabbi Friedman prior to the fast.  For more on the topic, please see this excellent article from Nishmat: http://www.yoatzot.org/life-cycle/?id=620 • One suffering from even minor pain may swallow a Tylenol or Ibuprofen pill, etc. preferably without water. If a minimal amount of water is needed, it is permitted. • It is forbidden to wear shoes or sneakers that contain any leather in their construction; ornamental strips of leather are per- mitted. • It is forbidden to wash any part of one's body, even with cold water. • Upon awaking in the morning, or after using the washroom, one should wash one’s hands three times to the end of the knuckles. • There is no prohibition to wash any part of the body that becomes soiled with dirt. Similarly, anyone preparing food for after the fast may wash food even if their hands will get wet. • If one is accustomed to sleep with two pillows, he should only use one pillow. • Sitting on a chair is permissible after midday, which this year is 1:06 pm. This does not apply to the seats in one’s car. • A woman who recently gave birth, or is pregnant or nursing, and finds it difficult to sit on a low chair may sit on a regular chair even on the night of Tisha B’Av. • An older person or one who is not feeling well, who has difficulty sitting on a low chair may sit on a regular chair. MORE DAT MINYAN EVENTS AND LEARNING

• One does not greet another on Tisha B'Av. If you are greeted by someone, you should nod your head in response or respond softly, thus indicating that regular greeting is not permissible.

 It is, however, permissible to wish a family member or child good night or to wish a Refuah Shleimah – even Mazal Tov – on Tisha B’Av.

• Perfume/cologne is not allowed. Antiperspirants /deoderants are permitted to prevent unpleasant odors.

• Women should not apply make up on Tisha B’Av.

• Using mouthwash or brushing one's teeth is NOT permitted on Tisha B'Av (this is not a function of the prohibition of eating; it is function of the prohibition of washing).

• Housework (e.g. cleaning floors, making beds, washing dishes, etc.) should not be done prior to midday; grocery shopping for after the fast is permitted before midday.

• Our focus should be on the theme of Tisha B’Av - mourning the destruction of our Temples, and the subsequent ravages of the Galut from which we still suffer today. As a result, it is inappropriate to play games, watch TV, read novels or magazines of any type.

• One who is accustomed to saying chapters of Tehilim may do so after midday. Tehilim for a Choleh may be said at any time throughout the day.

5. AFTER TISHA B'AV

• On Sunday night, Havdala is recited on wine, which is drunk normally, but spices and flame are not used.

• Although normally certain activities are prohibited until noon of the 10th of Av, this year, since Tisha B'Av is a pushed off, all restrictions are permitted immediately with the conclusion of the fast on Sunday night, including bathing, shaving, music, etc...

 The only exception to the above rule is we refrain from consuming wine (other than for Havdala) and eating meat until Monday morning.