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, (Thur evening, August 12th) 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 Seudat Mitzvah such as at a Brit, Pidyon Haben and a Bar Mitzvah (if it is Bo Bayom, 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 (Aug 13th). • 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 prohibition 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. ♦ 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 8:22 pm. • After Shabbat ends (9:09 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 Kinnot (we will begin Maariv at 9:30 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 circumstances, 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 permitted. • 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. • 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/deodorants 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.