Tisha BeAv

From Halachipedia
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The fast of Tisha B’av is to commemorate five tragedies which occurred to the Jewish nation: 1. The Jews of 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. [1] This article is specifically about the fast of the ninth of Av. To learn about any of the other fast days click here.

Fasting

  1. It is forbidden for all men of bar mitzvah age and women of bat mitzvah age to partake in eating or drinking on the Tisha BeAv. The fast begins at shkiat hachamah of the 8th of Av and ends at Tzet Hakochavim of the 9th of Av. [2]
  2. It is not necessary to wait until the tzet hakochavim according to Rabbeinu Tam to begin eating. [3]

Brushing Teeth

  1. One should refrain from brushing his teeth on Tisha B'av, unless not doing so causes tremendous distress. [4]
  2. It is forbidden for one to rinse out his/her mouth on Tisha BeAv; although, if one must they may rinse out their mouth with less than a Reviit of water. [5]

People who are permitted to eat

  1. Some poskim say that if one is exempt from fasting on Tisha B'av, he need not eat in increments. [6] However, one should not overindulge. [7]
  2. A pregnant or nursing woman must fast on Tisha BeAv.[8]If the woman has a sickness which is Choleh Shein Bo Sakana, she doesn't have to fast. Yet, in these situations it's better to ask an Orthodox Rabbi to assess the situation.[9]

Seuda Hamafseket

  1. Some have the practice to declare "“This is the Tisha B'Av meal” when they eat the seuda hamafseket. [10]
  2. If one said explicitly that he will not be eating after the seuda hamefseket, he cannot continue eating even if it is before sunset. However, if he only had that in mind but didn't say it, he may continue eating. [11] Since some poskim disagree, some suggest that one say explicitly that he will continue eating. [12]
  3. Three men should not eat together in order to avoid being obligated in a zimun. [13] If they do sit together they should still not recite the zimmun. [14]

Learning on Erev Tisha BeAv

  1. Some Ashkenazim have the minhag not to learn after mid-day on Erev Tisha BeAv (except for the things which one can learn on Tisha BeAv itself), while others allow learning all day. [15] For Sephardim, it is permissible to learn the entire day of Erev Tisha BeAv. [16]

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. [17] This applies to women as well. [18]
  2. Nevertheless, the obligation to set some time in the day for learning torah still exists. [19] It is permissible to read Iyov, an explanation of Iyov, the sad parts of Yirmiyahu (prophesy about destruction and rebuke but not consolation or about 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), [20] the Gemara in Gittin and Sanhedrin which deal with the destruction of the Bet HaMikdash. [21]
  3. When learning the laws of mourning one may not go into the depth of halacha (with questions and answers). [22]
  4. Even in the areas one is permitted to learn one should not learn in a deep analytical way. [23]
  5. One may not even think of how to answer a serious difficulty in learning because one will feel satisfied when the matter is settled. [24]
  6. It is permitted to pray the normal prayers even though it contains torah such as az yashir, eizehu mikoman, the korbanot etc. [25]

Washing and Bathing

  1. It is forbidden to wash or bathe oneself in cold or hot water. Even sticking one's finger in water is forbidden.[26]
  2. One should not go to the Mikveh on Tisha BeAv. [27]
  3. If one's hands got dirty one may clean the dirty area. [28]

Wearing Leather

  1. It is prohibited to wear leather shoes on Tisha B'av. [29]
  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. [30]
  3. Some poskim permit wearing crocs, while others prohibit them. [31]

Anointing

  1. It is prohibited to anoint oneself for pleasure on Tisha B'av. [32]
  2. Although it is forbidden to anoint oneself on Tisha B'av, one may use deodorant. [33]
  3. Women should not wear make-up on Tisha B'av [34]

Marital Relations

  1. It is prohibited to have marital relations on Tisha B'av. [35]
  2. Some poskim say that a husband and wife should be careful not to touch each other. [36]

Prayer

  1. Although leather is not worn, some have the custom to say the beracha in birkot hashachar of "sheasa li ko tzorki." [37] Some say to omit it. [38]
  2. Tachanun is not recited on Tisha B'av. [39]

Eicha

  1. The custom is to read the megilla of Eicha, Lamentations, on Tisha B'av. [40] Most recite it without a beracha.[41]
  2. Even one who cannot attend shul, should read Eicha and the kinot alone. [42]
  3. Women are required to read the megilla of eicha as well. [43]

Aneinu

  1. According to Sephardim, one recites aneinu at night on tisha b’av. [44]

Nachem

  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 only during mincha. [45]
  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. [46]

Tefillin

  1. Some have the minhag not to put on Tefillin for Shacharit of Tisha BeAv and only put it on for Mincha [47]
  2. One who normally wears tefillin of rabbeinu tam in addition to Rashi, must do so on Tisha B'av as well [48]

Mincha

  1. Tefillin are worn during mincha on Tisha B'av. [49]
  2. There is a discussion if one should recite keriat shema during mincha with tefillin. [50]

Sitting on the Floor

  1. Though normally one should refrain from sitting in a normal chair on Tisha B'av until midday, one who is driving may sit normally in the seat. [51]

Saying Hello

  1. As part of the mourning of Tisha B'av, one should refrain from greeting others on Tisha B'av. [52] If someone else says hello to you, you may respond, but should do so with a lower voice and your head bent downward.[53]

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. [54] Regarding the permissibility of smoking in general, see Smoking

Mourning Practices on the Tenth of Av

  1. Some of the mourning for the beit hamikdash extends beyond tisha b'av until the tenth of av because although the fires started burning on tisha b'av, most of the burning actually took place on the tenth [55]
  2. According to Ashkenazim one may not eat meat, launder clothing, bathe, take haircuts until mid-day of the tenth of Av. [56] According to Sephardim one may not eat meat or drink wine until sunset of the tenth of Av [57] It is permitted though to shower, do laundry, or take haircuts. [58]
  3. If Tisha b'av falls out on shabbat and is pushed to Sunday everything is permitted right after the fast except for eating meat and drinking wine [59]

When Tisha BeAv falls out 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. [60]Acc to Ashkenazim, some hold that tashmish is forbidden on Shabbat which is Tisha B'av unless it is her tevilah night.[61]
  2. If Tisha B'av falls out on Shabbat and is pushed off to Sunday, one may eat meat or drink wine on Monday. [62] According to some poskim, one may even eat meat on Sunday night. [63] One may, get a haircut or do laundry immediately on Sunday night. [64]

When Tisha BeAv falls out on Sunday

  1. If Tisha BeAv falls out on Sunday, one doesn't say Tzidkatcha at mincha of Shabbat.[65]
  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.[66]
  3. If Tisha BeAv falls out on Shabbat and is pushed off to Sunday, the bracha of Boreh Meorei HaEsh upon a fire is made on Motzei Shabbat before the reading of Eicha, however, the bracha of Havdalah on a cup of wine is delayed until after Tisha BeAv, Sunday night. [67] An adult who is exempt from fasting should recite Havdalah on Motzei Shabbat before eating.[68]
  4. 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. [69]
  5. Although seudat shlishit is the seudat hamafseket before the fast, one should eat a regular meal. [70] The meal must be finished before sunset. [71]
  6. 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.[72]

Links

Sources

  1. ↑ Mishna Taanit 26b, Rambam Hilchot Taaniyot 5:3, Chayei Adam 133:5, Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 121:5, Mishna Brurah 549:2
  2. ↑ Mishna Brurah 554:1, Yalkut Yosef (Moadim p. 577), Halachot and History of The Three Weeks, The Akkad Edition, Congregation Shaare Rahamim Halachot Series.
    • Tosfot (Megillah 5b s.v. vebikesh) and Ritva (Megillah 5b) imply that Tisha B'av is only derabbanan or a minhag. See, however, the Taz 554:4 who implies that it is Divrei Kabbalah, from the authority of the navi.
  3. ↑ Yalkut Yosef Moadim page 586
  4. ↑ Sh"t Minchat Yitzchak 4:109, Mikraei Kodesh by Rabbi Moshe Harari 4:4, Mishna Brura 567:11
  5. ↑ Halachot and History of The Three Weeks, The Akkad Edition, Congregation Shaare Rahamim Halachot Series. see also Rav Shimon Eider’s Halachos of the Three Weeks pg. 19 where he suggests in the name of Rav Moshe Feinstein that on Tisha B'Av it is forbidden to wash out one's mouth because of rechitza.
  6. ↑ Sh”t Maharam Shick 289 says that just like on Yom Kippur we say that if it will not increase the danger by eating in small increments (S”A 618:7), the same applies to Tisha B’av. However, Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach (Nishmat Avraham 4 554:1), Shevet Halevi 4:46, and Tzitz Eliezer 10:25:16 disagree and say this isn’t necessary for Tisha B’av.
  7. ↑ S:A 554:5, Haghot Maimaniot Hilchot Taaniyot 1:8
  8. ↑ Shulchan Aruch 554:5
  9. ↑ Yalkut Yosef 554 (HaChayvim VeHitanot #1)
  10. ↑ The Mishna Brurah 552:16 suggests doing so based upon the practice of Rav in the Yerushalmi in Taanit 4:6
  11. ↑ Yalkut Yosef Moadim page 577, Shulchan Aruch 553:1.
  12. ↑ Mishna Brura 553:2 writes that the Bach and Gra hold that a mental acceptance is enough and he therefore recommends stating explicitly that one intends to eat or drink until sunset.
  13. ↑ Shulchan Aruch 552:8, Haghot Maimaniyot Hilchot Taaniyot 5:7:30
  14. ↑ Mishna Brura 552:19
  15. ↑ Rama 553:2 records the custom to stop learning torah at midday of erev tisha b'av. Magen Avraham 553:7 agrees. However, Mishna Brura 553:8 and Aruch Hashulchan 553:4 challenge this custom
  16. ↑ Chazon Ovadyah (Arba Taniyot pg 248)
  17. ↑ S”A 554:1-2 based on the pasuk in tehillim 19:9 פִּקּוּדֵי ה יְשָׁרִים, מְשַׂמְּחֵי-לֵב
  18. ↑ Sh"t Rivivot Ephraim 2:155:14
  19. ↑ Yalkut Yosef Moadim page 580
  20. ↑ S”A 554:1-2, Mishna Brurah 554:2
  21. ↑ Mishna Brurah 554:3
  22. ↑ Mishna Brurah 554:4. On the other hand, Aruch Hashulchan 554:4 permits going into it deeply.
  23. ↑ Mishna Brurah 554:4
  24. ↑ Mishna Brurah 554:4
  25. ↑ Sh"t Yabia Omer YD 4:32
  26. ↑ Shulchan Aruch 544:7
  27. ↑ Shulchan Aruch 544:8
  28. ↑ Shulchan Aruch 544:9
  29. ↑ Shulchan Aruch 554:1 and 554:16, Yalkut Yosef Moadim page 577. Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 124:11, Aruch Hashulchan 554:16, Mishna Brurah 554:30 say that although shoes made of other materials cover and protect the feet, they are not called a "minal" and therefore aren't part of the prohibition.
  30. ↑ Halichot Shlomo (ch. 15 no. 5) quoting the Shaare Teshuva 554:11
  31. ↑ Rav shlomo aviner says that since crocs are comfortable shoes even though they aren’t leather some, it is better not to wear them, but whoever does has on who to rely. http://matzav.com/rav-elyashiv-crocs-not-permitted-footwear-on-tisha-bav quotes that this is the ruling of Rav Moshe Shternbuch, Rav Nissim Karelitz as well. However, it also quotes Rav Elyashiv that it Is prohibited to wear them.
  32. ↑ Shulchan Aruch 554:15
  33. ↑ Rabbi Gil Student based on Biur Halachah 554:15 sv. sicha
  34. ↑ Rav Mordachi Eliyahu quoted in Mikraei Kodesh Hilchot Tisha B’av 9:note 13
  35. ↑ Shulchan Aruch 554.1, Yalkut Yosef Moadim page 577.
  36. ↑ Mishna Brurah 554:37 raises this possibility but allows for one to be lenient at least during the day, Aruch Hashulchan 554:17 and Taz 615:16 say that one need not be stringent in this at all. Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 124:12 forbids physical contact both in the day and at night. Halichot Olam 2: page 153 permits handing items to your wife as long as she isn't a nidda as well as any of the other harchakot for a nidda as long as your wife isn't actually a nidda and even permits touching your wife.
  37. ↑ Mishna Brurah 554:31, Chazon Ovadyah (Yamim Noraim pg 320), Rabbi Eli Mansour
  38. ↑ Halachot and History of The Three Weeks, The Akkad Edition, Congregation Shaare Rahamim Halachot Series page 62; Ben Ish Hai Vayeshev: 9; Kaf Hachaim 46:17
  39. ↑ Shulchan Aruch 559:4 since Tisha B'Av is considered like a moed. Mishna Brurah 559:17 points out that this is based on the pasuk in Lamentations 1:15 קָרָא עָלַי מוֹעֵד
  40. ↑ Shulchan Aruch 559:2, Masechet Sofrim 18:5, and Eicha Rabbah Parsha 3. Mishna Brurah 559:2 notes that although the prevalent tradition is read to Eicha at night, it is preferable to read Eicha privately during the daytime as well.
  41. ↑ Rama 490:9, Teshuvot Harama 35. Beit Yosef 559, notes that common practice is to refrain from reciting the beracha of Al Mikra Megillah on all of the megillot with the exception of Megillat Esther. Magen Avraham 490:9, rules that one should recite a beracha on the reading any of the megillot (except Kohelet). Mishna Berurah 490:19 however, sides with the opinion of Rama that one should not recite a beracha on the megillot. However, he notes that one can justify the practice of reciting a beracha if the megillah is read from parchment. Maaseh Rav 175 records that the practice of the Gra was to read all of the megillot from parchment and to recite a beracha. see See Piskei Teshuvot 559:1
  42. ↑ Chayei Adam 135:19; Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 124:1; Mishna Berura 559:5.
  43. ↑ Masechet Soferim 18:5. Teshuvot Vihanhagot 2:250 says that since women are obligated in all other halachot of mourning on tisha b'av, they are also obligated halachos of aveilus of Tisha B'Av, they are also required to hear Eicha. He says that if they cannot make it to shul, they may read it on the floor in their own homes.
  44. ↑ Yalkut Yosef Moadim page 536, Rabbi Eli Mansour
  45. ↑ Rabbi Eli Mansour
  46. ↑ Rabbi Eli Mansour
  47. ↑ Shulchan Aruch 555:1.
    • Interestingly, Maharam quoted by the Tur OC 555 and Rabbenu Yerucham quoted by the Beit Yosef 555 hold that it is forbidden to wear tefillin on Tisha B'av because mourning the loss of the beit hamikdash is greater than the usual first day of mourning over a deceased.
    • However, the Rosh quoted by the Tur holds that one must wear tefillin because mourning for the beit hamikdash is not as stringent as the first day of mourning.
  48. ↑ Sh"t Yechave Daat 2:16 and 6:2, Halichot Olam 2: page 158
  49. ↑ Shulchan Aruch 555:1
  50. ↑ Mishna Brura 555:5 says that one should not. However, Rabbi Soloveitchik (Quoted by Rabbi Menachem Genack in Gan Shoshanim Chelek 1, 1:3) thought one should.
  51. ↑ Mikraei Kodesh by Rabbi Moshe Harari 7:48
  52. ↑ Shulchan Aruch 554:20, Mikraei Kodesh Hilchot Tisha B’av 7:38. see also Rabbi Ari Enkin
  53. ↑ Mikraei Kodesh by Rabbi Moshe Harari 7:40
  54. ↑ Sh"t Yabia Omer 1:31, Yechave Daat 5:39
  55. ↑ gemara Taanit 29a, Shulchan Aruch OC 558:1
  56. ↑ Rama 558:1, Mishna Brurah 558:3 based on Shu"t Maharshal 92. Under extenuating circumstances, Shemirat Shabbat Kihilchata 42:16 and Piskei Teshuvot 558:2 allow one to do laundry immediately after the first. Additionally, Sh"t Teshuvot Vihanhagot 2:260 allows one to shower if necessary right after tisha b'av
  57. ↑ Shulchan Aruch 558:1, Kaf HaChaim 558:10, Shaare Teshuva 558:2.
  58. ↑ Halachot and History of The Three Weeks, The Akkad Edition, Congregation Shaare Rahamim Halachot Series page 66, Sh"t Yechave Daat 5:41. However, it is important to note that the Kaf HaChaim 558:6 quotes the stringent opinion without arguing. This opinion is cited by HaRav Mordechai Eliyahu in Hilchot Chagim 29:3. See also Peninei Halakha especially footnote 1 who makes the same observation that even among Sephardic poskim there are many different opinions.
  59. ↑ Rama OC 558:1. Mishna Brurah 558:3 and Kaf Hachaim OC 558:7 add that some refrain from marital relations on that night unless it is the night of tevila
  60. ↑ S”A 554:19, Kaf HaChaim 554:86, Yalkut Yosef 556:1
  61. ↑ Rama 554:19. Mishna Brurah 554:40 writes that one can rely on the achronim who hold it is permitted if it is her tevilah night.
  62. ↑ Rama 558:1.
  63. ↑ Although the Rama writes that one should not eat meat on Sunday night in such a situation, Rabbi Meir Mazuz in the Ish Matzliach footnotes on the MB note 1, writes that some poskim are meikil.
  64. ↑ Mishna Berura 558:4
  65. ↑ Shulchan Aruch 559:1, Yalkut Yosef 556:3
  66. ↑ Yalkut Yosef 556:2
  67. ↑ Shulchan Aruch 556:1. Mishna Brurah 556:3 adds that an adult can drink this wine.
  68. ↑ Rabbi Mansour on Dailyhalacha.com quoting Yechave Daat 3:40, Birkei Yosef OC 556:2. Shemirat Shabbat Kehilchata 62:45 writes that Birkei Yosef's ruling only applies to adults who are too ill to fast but a child should not recite havdala himself then, but should wait until after tisha b'av.
  69. ↑ Mishna Brurah 556:2
  70. ↑ Shulchan Aruch 552:10 based on taanit 29b that says one may make a meal as extravagant as he pleases on the shabbat of the eighth or ninth of av. Mishna Brurah 552:23 adds though that although we cannot publicly display mourning on Shabbat one's mood should at least somewhat reflect the time.
  71. ↑ Rama 552:10
  72. ↑ Yalkut Yosef 556:4-5
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