LAWS OF THE THREE WEEKS
The three weeks between the fast of the 17th of Tammuz and the 9th of Av are a period of gradually intensified mourning. This
period can be divided into three smaller groupings: 1) from the 17th of Tammuz until Rosh Chodesh Av; 2) from Rosh Chodesh Av
until the week in which Tisha B’Av occurs; 3) the week during which Tisha B’Av occurs. The latter two periods together are
referred to as “The Nine Days”. This year we observe the fast of the 17th of Tammuz on Sunday, July 21 and Tisha B’Av beginning
Motzei Shabbat, August 10 and Sunday, August 11 (see below for laws pertaining to Tisha B’Av falling out on Sunday).
The 17th of Tammuz – Sunday, July 21 (Three Weeks begin)
Five tragedies befell the Jewish People on the seventeenth day of the month of Tammuz:
1. The first tablets containing the Ten Commandments were broken when Moshe descended from Har Sinai
2. The two daily sacrifices were suspended during the time of the First Beit HaMikdash
3. The enemy penetrated the walls of Jerusalem prior to the destruction of the Second Beit HaMikdash
4. The wicked Apostumos burned the Torah
5. An idol was erected in the Beit HaMikdash
Since these tragedies occurred on the 17th of Tammuz, the Rabbis designated this day as a fast day. The purpose of a fast day is to
stir our hearts to utilize the paths of repentance. Remembering these tragedies should lead us to examine our conduct and return to
the ways of our tradition.
Conduct During the Three Weeks
Weddings should not be performed during this period. Engagements, however, may take place until Rosh Chodesh Av,
even if a festive meal is served.
Dancing and playing musical instruments are prohibited during the Three Weeks. Practicing music is prohibited from Rosh
Chodesh Av.
The custom is to refrain during the Three Weeks from reciting the blessing of Shehecheyanu on new garments and fruit.
Therefore, one should not purchase or wear a new garment or eat a new fruit for the first time during the Three Weeks – if
it would necessitate a Shehecheyanu. A new garment, which is not of importance, thereby not requiring a Shehecheyanu
(e.g. undergarments, socks) may be purchased and worn for the first time until Rosh Chodesh Av. However, as
Shehecheyanu may be recited on Shabbat, if the new fruit will last until Shabbat, the blessing may be recited at that time.
Haircuts are not permitted during the Three Weeks.
The Nine Days Begin – Friday, August 2
From the first of Av until midday on the tenth of Av, we refrain from any kind of joy or celebration.
We, generally, refrain from cutting hair from the 17th of Tammuz until midday on the 10th of Av. A person who shaves
daily and is required to do so for reasons of business or financial loss should nevertheless refrain from shaving from Rosh
Chodesh Av or at the very least during the week on which Tisha B’Av occurs.
We do not wear new or freshly laundered clothes, even if they were cleaned prior to the beginning of Av. This law applies
to all outer clothing (i.e. shirts, skirts, pants, dresses, suits, etc.). It does not apply to undergarments. It is, therefore,
advisable that prior to Rosh Chodesh Av, one wear, for brief periods of time, enough changes of outer clothing to last the
nine days. In this way, one would ensure the availability of clean, but not fresh clothing for this time period
Washing of all clothing is forbidden during the nine days, even if they are set aside for use after the nine days.
Any non-essential construction (cosmetic or otherwise), which is not required for dwelling should be suspended during the
Nine Days. Therefore a pleasure or vacation home, patio, and the like may not be constructed during the Nine Days.
One should refrain from eating meat or fowl and drinking wine because these items are customarily associated with simcha.
However, meat and wine are permitted on Shabbat and at a seudat mitzvah. Wine may also be used for Havdalah. It is
preferable to have a child drink the wine, but an adult may do so when a child is not present. The restriction on eating meat
and drinking wine symbolizes the discontinuation of the sacrificial offerings and libations that resulted after the destruction
of the Beit Hamikdash. (Food cooked in a meat utensil, but free of any meat ingredients, may be eaten.)
New clothing should not be purchased during the Nine Days, even if it is not needed until after Tisha B’Av.
One should not swim or bathe for pleasure during this time. One may bathe normally with hot water on Erev Shabbat
Chazon because we are accustomed to bathe regularly.
Laws Including Sunday Tisha B’Av. 2019
Laws of Tisha B’Av – Sunday, August 11
The Gemara records five tragedies befell the Jewish people on Tisha B’Av:
1. It was decreed that the Bnei Yisrael should wander in the desert for an additional 40 years and not enter the Land of Israel
2. The First Beit HaMikdash was destroyed
3. The Second Beit HaMikdash was destroyed.
4. The city of Betar was captured and thousands of Jews were murdered
5. The wicked Turnus Rufus plowed the site of the Beit HaMikdash and its surrounding lands
Since these and many subsequent tragedies occurred on Tisha B’Av the sages decreed this day to be a fast day. There are several
personal restrictions on Tisha B’Av:
It is prohibited to eat, drink, bathe wash, anoint oneself (with creams, lotions or oils), cohabit, dress in shoes made with
leather, or learn Torah, with the exception of those portions that sadden the heart. From sunset of Erev Tisha B’Av the
fast begins and all of these laws are in effect until nightfall of the 10th of Av.
One who will be reading the day’s Torah portion may prepare the readings for both the Shacharit and Mincha services
A person should try to avoid working on the 10th of Av if at all possible. If not, one should try to limit these activities as
much as possible.
The stringency of the laws of mourning on Tisha B’Av gradually decrease as the day progresses with the goal of eventually
relaxing the various restrictions. On Tisha B’Av itself there are a series of laws, which are in affect only until midday.
When the temple was destroyed, it was already burning by midday on Tisha B’Av and hence the punishment was already
meted out. Furthermore, our eternal optimism, our hope for redemption even in the most strenuous circumstances and
most difficult times, is expressed through a relaxation of some of the restrictive laws on Tisha B’Av itself.
Talit and Tefillin are not worn in the morning but are adorned with their respective blessings after midday, at the Mincha
service. Care should be taken to say the blessings alone, and not the Torah chapters about Tefillin, which are customarily
said before putting them on.
We sit on the floor or on a low stool until midday after which we may resume sitting in our accustomed positions. There is
a custom for those who are physically able, to try to sleep with one less pillow than usual. This, too, only applies until
midday of Tisha B’Av.
We do not prepare the evening meal until after midday.
When Tisha B’Av Falls On Sunday (This Year)
When Tisha B’Av falls on Shabbat or Sunday and is observed on Saturday night and Sunday, the Seudah Hamafseket, the
final meal is eaten on Saturday afternoon. The meal (seudah shlishit) must be concluded by 7:59PM. None of the
restrictions that apply to this meal when it takes place on a weekday apply to Shabbat. It is eaten at a table while sitting on
regular chairs.
One may eat meat and drink wine for all of the Shabbat meals including the final meal.
If Tisha B’Av falls on Shabbat, marital relations are forbidden on Friday night, except when Friday night is one’s mikveh
night.
At Ma’ariv services on Motzei Shabbat, the congregants wear leather shoes until after reciting Borchu. After Borchu,
everyone removes their shoes without using one’s hands. The chazan says boruch hamavdil, removes his shoes and then
says Borchu. If one prefers to change to sneakers, one must bring them to shul on Friday prior to Shabbat.
Havdalah
The customary havdalah is not recited on Saturday night. The blessing of borei me’orai ha’aish is recited using a Havdalah
candle after Ma’ariv, prior to the reading of Eicha. The congregation should be careful to recite ata chonantanu in the
Ma’ariv Shemoneh Esrei on Saturday night. One should say Baruch hamavdil bein kodesh l’chol before doing any melacha
(weekday activity).
On Sunday evening after Ma’ariv, we recite two havdalah blessings. The first blessing is said on wine or beer and the
second is the blessing of hamavdil.
This year, where Sunday is the 10th of Av, bathing, washing and haircuts are permissible on Sunday evening after the
conclusion of the fast. Eating meat, drinking wine, and music are prohibited until Monday morning
