Tisha BeAv

The fast of Tisha B’av commemorates five tragedies which occurred to the Jewish nation:

1. The Jews in the desert were told that they would not enter Eretz Yisrael following the sin of the spies.
2. The first Bet HaMikdash was destroyed.
3. The second Bet HaMikdash was destroyed.
4. Beitar, a city filled with over 10,000 Jews, was captured and destroyed by the Romans during the Bar Kochva rebellion.
5. Turnus Rufus plowed the area of the heichal.

This article is specifically about the fast of the ninth of Av. To learn about any of the other fast days click here. After Tisha B'av, there are days of consolation and celebration, including Shabbat Nachamu and Tu Be'Av.

Erev Tisha B'av

Learning Torah

1. Some Ashkenazim have the minhag not to learn after midday on Erev Tisha BeAv (except for the things which one can learn on Tisha BeAv itself), while others allow learning all day. For Sephardim, it is permissible to learn the entire day of Erev Tisha BeAv.

Seuda Hamafseket

Small Meal in Advance

1. The custom is to eat a large meal before Mincha and then to begin the Seuda Ha'mafseket after Mincha. However, it is improper to overeat during the meal before Mincha, as one will then be too stuffed for the actual seuda ha'mafseket.
2. One should make sure to have a significant separation between the first meal and the seuda mafseket. It is improper to have a large meal, recite birkat hamazon, and then immediately afterwards have the seuda mafseket. The reason is that when one has a large meal before so that he is stuffed by the time he is eating the seuda mafseket, the seuda mafseket is merely ceremonial and the main seuda mafseket was the large meal beforehand. Also, it is a problem of bracha sheino tzaricha. Rather one should eat the large meal before Chatzot or much earlier in the day such as immediately after mincha gedola.
3. Someone who knows that he will be able to fast easily and is strict not to minimize with the first meal, prior to the seuda mafseket, or not have it will be praised as being holy.

Cooked Dishes

1. During the seuda ha'mafseket, one should ensure not to eat more than one cooked food. Roasted foods are the equivalent of cooked foods in this regard.
2. Some consider dairy products which are pasteurized are cooked dishes. Others disagree because it is done for health concerns and not for improving taste.
3. Even though vegetable soup contains multiple vegetables, it's considered one cooked dish. Some say that it is only considered one dish if it's normally made that way during the year.
4. Eggs that were cooked in multiple ways are considered separate cooked dishes. Therefore, one can't eat scrambled eggs and hard boiled eggs at the seuda mafseket.
5. Even though raw vegetables aren't considered cooked dishes, one shouldn't eat a salad at the seuda mafseket. Others rule that one may eat an unlimited amount of raw foods, including fruits and vegetables. Therefore, even a raw salad seasoned with oil and spices in permissible.
6. Baked goods aren't considered cooked dishes. Therefore, one is permitted to eat different types of cakes. However, one should only eat them to fill oneself and not for pleasure. Pizza is considered a cooked dish because of the cheese on top.
7. As such, it is proper to not eat, chocolate, snacks, and sweets. However, if there is nothing else to satiate oneself then it is permissible to eat them.

Beverages

1. Cooked beverages are not considered cooked dished. Therefore, technically, it is permissible to drink beer, tear, or coffee are seudat hamafseket. However, ideally, one should avoid doing so in order to not derive too much pleasure from seudat hamafseket. Therefore, one who can easily refrain should do so.
2. One shouldn't drink soda nor other pleasurable drinks at the seuda mafseket. Exceptional cases, such as one who will have difficulty digesting without it, may even drink beer. Additionally, one who feels a need to drink coffee or tea may do so. Similarly, sweet drinks, such as coke, should only be served at suedat hamafseket if necessary, not for indulging.

Meat, Wine, Fish

1. One should not eat fish at the Seudat Ha'Mafseket.
2. It is permitted to eat canned tuna as well as canned sardines since they are not considered foods fit to be served at a royal table.

Pickled Foods

1. Some forbid picked foods so as not to derive too much pleasure from seudat hamafseket or because they might be considered cooked dishes. There are others who permit.

Hard Boiled Eggs

1. It is customary to use hard boiled eggs as the "cooked food" eaten at the Seudat Ha'Mafseket, as eggs are the food eaten by mourners.

Bread and Water

1. For those who are capable, it is proper to only eat dry bread dipped in salt and drink only water. Nonetheless, one need not lessen his eating; rather, one should ensure to eat and drink enough in order that he can endure the fast. Some are stringent to dip the final bit of bread in ashes and to eat it and to declare “This is the Tisha B'Av meal."
2. One should specifically have bread at the seuda mafseket.

Sitting on the Floor

1. It is customary to sit on the floor while eating the meal, although one need not remove his shoes as the fast has not yet begin.

Eating after Seuda Mafseket

1. If one explicitly said that he will not eat after the seuda hamefseket, he cannot continue eating even if it is before sunset. However, if he only had in mind that he would no longer eat, but didn't explicitly say it, he may continue eating. Since some poskim disagree, some suggest that one say explicitly that he intends to continue eating.

Zimmun

1. Three men should not eat together in order to avoid being obligated in a zimun. If they do sit together, they should not recite the zimmun.

Tisha B'av Falls Out on Shabbat or Sunday

1. In a year in which the 9th of Av falls out on either Shabbat (in which case the fast is observed beginning at sunset on Shabbat) or on Sunday, this meal is not eaten. In such a case, one may enjoy a large sumptuous meal so as to properly celebrate Shabbat. However, one must ensure to stop eating before sunset (see "When Tisha Beav Falls Out on Shabbat or Sunday" below).

Someone who Isn't Fasting

1. Even someone who isn't fasting should observe the laws of seuda mafseket.

Tachanun

1. Tachanun is omitted at Mincha on Erev Tisha B'av. If Erev Tisha B'av falls out on Shabbat, Tzidkadecha Tzedek is omitted.

Fasting

Who Should Fast?

1. A choleh shein bo sakana does not have to fast on Tisha B'av.

Healthy Individuals

1. It is forbidden for all men of bar mitzvah age and women of bat mitzvah age to eat and drink on Tisha BeAv. The fast begins at sunset of the 8th of Av and ends at nightfall of the 9th of Av.

Pregnant or Nursing Woman

1. Pregnant and nursing women must fast on Tisha BeAv. If the woman is sick to the degree that she is a Choleh Shein Bo Sakana, she doesn't have to fast. In these situations one should always ask an Orthodox Rabbi to assess the situation.

Eating in Increments

1. Some poskim hold that if one is exempt from fasting on Tisha B'av, he need not eat in increments. However, one should not overindulge.

Children

1. Children are exempt from fasting. Nonetheless, they should eat the seuda ha'mafseket, and observe the applicable halachot .
2. With regards to children who have reached the age of chinuch, some say that they should wear non-leather shoes on Tisha B'av, while others hold that they can wear leather shoes.
3. Even if they are below the age of chinuch, it is a good practice to have them wear non-leather shoes.

Brushing Teeth

1. One should refrain from brushing his teeth on Tisha B'av. However, if refraining from doing so causes him tremendous distress, then it's permitted.
2. It is forbidden for one to rinse out his mouth on Tisha B'Av. However, if one must, then he may rinse out his mouth with less than a Reviit of water.

Medications

1. A person can take medications, such as a capsule, a bitter tasting pill, or liquid medicine, without water on Tisha B'av. If one can't swallow a pill without liquids, one can swallow it with some bitter water, such as water with tea essence concentrate or a bit of baking soda.
2. It is permitted to take a caffeine pill on tisha b'av.

When Does the Fast of Tisha Be'Av End

1. It is not necessary to wait until Rabbeinu Tam's tzet hakochavim to begin eating. Some say that it is sufficient to wait 27 minutes after sunset.

Washing and Bathing

Bathing

1. It is forbidden to wash or bathe oneself in cold or hot water. Even sticking one's finger in water is forbidden.
2. One should not bathe a child on tisha b'av. If they are dirty, then it is permitted to clean the area that is dirty. If they are so dirty that it is difficult to just clean that area, then it is permitted to bath their whole body.

Washing Dirty Hands

Regarding washing one's hands for health during the coronavirus pandemic, see Halachot Related to Coronavirus#The Three Weeks.

1. If one's hands are dirty, then he may clean the dirty area.

Mikveh

1. One should not go to the Mikveh on Tisha B'Av.

Washing Dishes

1. It is permissible to wash dishes that are needed on Tisha B'Av itself, such as for children. Otherwise, one shouldn't wash dishes until after Chatzot. It is preferable to wash the dishes while wearing gloves.

Wipes

1. If a wipe is not wet enough, that upon touching it, one's hand wouldn't be wet enough to make something else wet, then one can use it to wipe one's face and hands on Tisha B'av. However, if it's wet enough, that upon touching it, one's hand would be wet enough to make something else wet (tofaich al menat l'hafiach), then one may not use such a wipe.
2. If one changed a baby and afterwards one's hands are dirty, it is permitted to wash them with soap.

Anointing

1. It is prohibited to anoint oneself for pleasure on Tisha B'av.
2. Some poskim permit using deodarant on Tisha B'Av, while others forbid it. Some poskim hold that stick deodorant is forbidden on, while spray deodorant as permitted.
3. Women should not wear make-up on Tisha B'av.
4. One is permitted to use skin creams to treat scraped or infected skin, since one is doing so to cure the skin, but not for pleasure.

Wearing Leather

1. It is prohibited to wear leather shoes on Tisha B'av. Some prohibit any comfortable shoe even if it isn't leather. Sephardim don't have this practice.
2. Even those who are more lenient on Yom Kippur and wear comfortable non-leather shoes, should be more stringent on Tisha B’Av as we try to minimize comforts on Tisha B’Av as much as possible.
3. Some poskim permit wearing crocs, while others prohibit them.

Marital Relations

1. It is prohibited to have marital relations on Tisha B'av.
2. It is proper not to sleep in the same bed as one's wife on Tisha B'Av.
3. Some poskim say that a husband and wife should be careful not to touch each other. Some say that a husband and wife should even be careful not to pass things on Tisha B'av night.

Working on Tisha B'Av

1. The minhag is not to engage in any work which takes time to do during the night of Tisha B'av nor the morning until midday, so as not to divert one's attention from the mourning. This includes housework like sweeping.
2. It is permitted to have a non-Jew work for you on Tisha B'av as long as it isn't something public like building or painting a house.
3. If the nature of the work is that not doing it on Tisha B'av will cause one a financial loss, one may do it on Tisha B'av. When possible one should have a non-Jew do it or at least postponed until midday.

Learning Torah

What one may learn on Tisha BeAv

1. One should not learn Torah on Tisha BeAv whether it’s Tanach, Midrash, Mishna, Gemara, Halacha, or Aggadata because Torah brings happiness to a person. This applies to women as well.
2. Nevertheless, the obligation to set some time in the day for learning torah still exists. It is permissible to read Iyov, an explanation of Iyov, the sad parts of Yirmiyahu (the prophecies about the destruction and rebuke of the Jewish people, but not consolation nor about the destruction of the other nations), Midrash Eicha, an explanation of Eicha, the Gemara in the third perek of Moed Katan (which deals with the laws of mourning, excluding the happy parts), the Gemara in Gittin and Sanhedrin which deal with the destruction of the Bet HaMikdash.
3. When learning the laws of mourning one may not go into the depth of halacha (with questions and answers).
4. One may not even think of how to answer a serious difficulty in learning because one will feel satisfied when the matter is settled.
5. It is permitted to pray the normal prayers even though it contains Divrai Torah such as az yashir, eizehu mikoman, the korbanot etc.

Prayer

1. Although leather is not worn, some have the custom to say the beracha in birkot hashachar of "sheasa li ko tzorki." Some say to omit it.
2. Tachanun is not recited on Tisha B'av.
3. One may recite kriat shema al hamita on Tisha B'av.
4. At Shacharit, Kaddish is recited after kriyat hatorah before the haftorah.
5. At Mincha, Kaddish is not recited after kriyat hatorah or haftorah.

Eicha

1. The custom is to read the Megillat Eicha, Lamentations, on Tisha B'av. Most recite it without a beracha.
2. Even one who cannot attend shul, should read Eicha and the kinot alone.
3. Women are required to read the Megillat Eicha as well.

Aneinu

1. According to Sephardim, one recites aneinu at night on tisha b’av.

Nachem

Here's the text for the Nachem (Ashkenazic, Sephard, and Sephardic): Tefillat Nachem on wikisource.

1. On Tisha B’Av, we add in the Shemoneh Esreh a prayer for the rebuilding of Jerusalem, which begins with the word nachem. Some have the custom to insert the beracha of nachem into the beracha of tishkon bitoch yerushalayim (v'lyerushalayim ircha for ashkenazim) only during mincha. The Sephardic minhag of Israel is to recite Nachem in all the prayers of Tisha B'av. The Moroccan and Syrian minhag is to say it only at mincha.
2. If one forgot to recite nachem during the amida and only remembered after finishing, he should not go back and recite the amida again.
3. Despite the continued construction of the city of Yerushalayim, the text of Nachem may not be changed because the Makom Hamikdash is still in ruins and the spirituality of the city is still lacking
4. Everybody says Nachem, even someone who isn't fasting.

Tallit and Tefillin

Shacharit

1. Some have the Minhag not to put on Tallit or Tefillin for Shacharit of Tisha BeAv and only put it on for Mincha.
2. Those who hold of this minhag also do not have the Chazan or those participating in the Torah service wear a tallit. The Moroccan minhag is such, and so is the Persian minhag. Some Sephardim have the practice to wear Tefillin for Shacharit on Tisha B'av until the recital of Kinnot or if they don't wear it in the shul to wear it at home before coming to shul.
3. One who normally wears Rabbeinu Tam Tefillin in addition to Rashi, must do so on Tisha B'av as well.
4. If someone usually doesn't recite a bracha on his tzitzit because he exempts it with his tallit, on Tisha B'av when he doesn't wear his tallit in the morning he should put on his tzitzit in the morning without a bracha. Others contend that he should recite a bracha unless he slept in his tzitzit.

Mincha

1. Tallit and Tefillin are worn during mincha on Tisha B'av.
2. There is a discussion if one should recite keriat shema during mincha with tefillin.

Birkat Halevana after Tisha B'av

1. The minhag is to not to recite birkat halevana until after tisha b'av.
2. According to Sephardim, the minhag is to recite birkat halevana immediately after tisha b'av. According to Ashkenazim, a person should break his fast and put on shoes before reciting birkat halevana.

Sitting on the Floor

1. During the evening of Tisha B'Av and the morning until chatzot (midday) it's prohibited to sit on a bench or chair if it's three tefachim or higher. Someone who finds sitting on the floor to be difficult may sit on a cushion or a low bench or chair.
2. After midday, one should not sit on the floor unless he is reciting kinnot.

Elderly or Pregnant

1. Elderly individuals as well as pregnant women who have a difficult time sitting on the ground may sit on a regular chair. Because they are sitting on the chair to avoid pain but not for pleasure , it is permitted.

Standing for Parents or for a Talmid Chacham

1. Although we sit on the floor like mourners, one must nevertheless stand for his parents or for a talmid chacham.

When Tisha B'av Falls on Motzei Shabbat

1. When Tisha B'Av begins on Motzaei Shabbat, the prohibition of sitting on chairs begins after nightfall, not sunset. If one is praying with a minyan and they are starting a few minutes after nightfall, one may still sit on the chairs until Arvit.

Cars and Trains

1. It is permitted to sit down when traveling in a car or train. If possible, one should try to stand on the train.

Sleeping on a Bed

1. It is proper for a person to sleep in a manner that's less comfortable than usual on tisha b'av. For example, if a person usually uses two pillows he should use only one. Some people sleep on the floor. There is also a minhag to place a rock under one's head where one sleeps.
   1. Some say that if possible, he should place his mattress on the floor and sleep on it that way. If a person can't, he should use one less pillow than they usually do, unless they can't fall asleep that way.
2. Someone who is weak should sleep in his bed normally.

Greeting on Tisha B'Av

1. As part of the mourning of Tisha B'av, one should refrain from greeting others. If someone else says hello to you, it is permitted to respond, but you should do so with a lowered voice and with your head bent downward.
2. It is permitted to say Mazal Tov for a recent Simcha on Tisha B’Av, as it's considered a blessing and not a greeting. However, if possible, one should wait for a different day to express Mazal Tov.
3. It is permitted to wish a “Refuah Shleima” to a person who is ill on Tisha B'Av.

Smoking

1. One should not smoke on Tisha b'av. However, if someone really needs to and it will cause them great pain if they don't, then they may smoke at home in private, but shouldn't do so in public. Regarding the permissibility of smoking in general, see Smoking.

Mourning Practices on the Tenth of Av

1. Some of the mourning practices of Tisha B'Av extend until the tenth of Av, because most of the burning of the Beit Ha'mikdash took place on the tenth of Av.
2. According to Ashkenazim, one may not eat meat, launder clothing, bathe, take haircuts, or listen to music until mid-day of the tenth of Av. According to Sephardim, one may not eat meat or drink wine until sunset of the tenth of Av. It is permitted for Sephardim to shower, do laundry, and take haircuts immediately after Tisha B'av.
3. It is permitted to recite Shehechiyanu immediately after Tisha B'av is over. Others disagree and hold shehechiyanu should not be recited until after the tenth of Av.
4. It is permitted to cut one's nails immediately after Tisha B'av.

Tisha B'av that Falls Out on Thursday

1. When Tisha B'av falls out on Thursday, it is permitted to launder clothing, shave, take hair cuts, bathe, and shower immediately after Tisha B'av in honor of Shabbat.
2. When Tisha B'av falls out on Thursday, one should not have meat or wine on Friday until Chatzot, like other years.
3. Some poskim hold that one may only shower or bathe immediately after Tisha B'av when it falls out on Thursday if he's doing so to honor Shabbat. However, if he's going to shower or bathe again anyway before Shabbat, then he may not shower or bathe immediately after Tisha B'av, since that shower or bath isn't to honor Shabbat.
4. One shouldn't do laundry on Friday except for clothing that is needed for Shabbat. Once he's running a load then he can add more clothing, even ones that aren't necessary for Shabbat.

Tisha B'av that Falls Out on Shabbat

1. If Tisha B'av falls out on shabbat and is pushed to Sunday, everything including shaving, doing laundry, and bathing is permitted right after the fast, except for eating meat and drinking wine. It is also permitted to listen to music right after the fast on Motzei Tisha B’av when it is delayed.

When Tisha BeAv falls out on Shabbat or Sunday

Prohibitions on Shabbat

1. If Tisha B'av falls out on Shabbat, it is pushed off until Sunday and everything that would be forbidden on Tisha B'av is permitted on Shabbat. According to Ashkenazim, some hold that relations are forbidden on Shabbat which is Tisha B'av unless it is her tevilah night. On the other hand, according to Sephardim, relations are permitted on Shabbat.
2. If Tisha B'av falls out on Shabbat and is pushed off to Sunday, one may eat meat or drink wine on Monday day and not Sunday night. According to some poskim, one may even eat meat on Sunday night.
3. If Tisha B'av falls out on Shabbat and is pushed off to Sunday bathing and haircuts are permitted Sunday night. Some say that one shouldn't listen to music until the next day. Others hold that music is permitted even at night.
4. If Tisha B'av falls out on Shabbat some say that one shouldn't have meals with meals with other friends, while others are lenient if you regularly have such meals.
5. One may, get a haircut or do laundry immediately on Sunday night.
6. If Tisha BeAv falls out on Shabbat and is pushed off until Sunday, according to Sephardim, a pregnant woman or woman who is nursing may eat on the fast day. Nonetheless, they should not eat for pleasure. Most Ashkenazic poskim are strict unless she is in a lot of pain.
7. If Tisha Beav falls out on Shabbat and is pushed off to Sunday then there is a dispute among the poskim as to whether or not a boy who becomes Bar Mitzvah on the 10th of Av is required to fast.

Havdala for Tisha BeAv that Is Observed on Sunday

1. If Tisha BeAv falls out on Shabbat and is pushed off to Sunday or if Tisha BeAv falls out on Sunday, the bracha of Boreh Meorei HaEsh upon a fire is made on Motzei Shabbat before the reading of Eicha (while Boreh Mineh/Isbeh/Atzeh Besamim is omitted), however, the bracha of Havdalah on a cup of wine is delayed until after Tisha BeAv, Sunday night.
2. An adult who is exempt from fasting should recite Havdalah on Motzei Shabbat before eating. While typically wine or grape juice is used for Havdala, one should strive to use chamar medina, particularly when making Havdala on Tisha BeAv. Some hold that it is preferable to use grape juice. One may fulfill his/her obligation to hear Havdalah even through someone who is making Havdala on Tisha Be'av who is permitted to eat.
3. One who needs to eat on Tisha B'av that falls out on Sunday must recite Havdalah beforehand. Some say that if they're sick they should wait until they need to eat to recite Havdalah and not say it immediately Saturday night unless they need to eat then. Others hold that they should initially recite havdalah immediately on Motzei Shabbat.
4. It should be emphasized that if one ever must urgently break their fast because of health reasons, one should not recite Havdala first and run the risk of entering a dangerous situation.

When Tisha BeAv falls out on Sunday

1. If Tisha BeAv falls out on Sunday, one doesn't say Tzidkatcha at mincha of Shabbat.
2. If Tisha BeAv falls out on Sunday, one may learn Torah on Shabbat after Chatzot but it's preferable to learn the halachot of Tisha BeAv.
3. Even if one forgot to recite havdala in the Shemoneh Esrei, he doesn't repeat it but rather recites the words "Baruch hamavdil bein kodesh lichol."
4. Although seudat shlishit is the seudat hamafseket before the fast, one should eat a regular meal. The meal must be finished before sunset. One may sit on chairs and a zimmun can be made.
5. One may leave on one's leather shoes until right after Barchu at the beginning of Arvit of Motzei Shabbat. If one is taking off one's shoes after Barchu one should take them off with one's feet or by only touching the shoelaces so that one doesn't have to wash Netilat Yadayim. It's proper to have Arvit of Motzei Shabbat 30 minutes after sunset giving people time to change from their Shabbat clothing which they should do 20 minutes after sunset.

When Tisha BeAv falls out on Thursday

1. One may take a haircut, wash oneself, and do laundry and need not wait until midday on Friday in order to perform these preparations in honor of Shabbat.

Links

• Hilchos Tisha b'Av (Shoes, Washing, Tashmish, Eating etc) by Rabbi Aryeh Lebowitz
• Hilchos Tisha B'av by Rabbi Mordechai Willig

Sources

( V | T )	The Jewish Holidays
Elul/Tishrei	Chodesh Elul - Rosh Hashana - Aseret Yimei Teshuva - Yom Kippur - Sukkot - Shemini Aseret - Simchat Torah
Kislev/Shvat/Adar	Chanukah - Tu BiShevat - Purim - Purim Katan
Nissan/Iyar/Sivan	Pesach - Yom HaAtzmaut - Lag BaOmer - Sefirat HaOmer - Shavuot
Tammuz/Av	Three Weeks - Nine Days - Tisha BeAv - Tu BeAv
Misc.	Yom Tov - Chol HaMoed - Rosh Chodesh - Fast Days