[Tif-mail] Review of Halachos & Schedule for Tisha B'Av

[Amitai Levin]

BS'D

Dear Members and Friends,

 

The following are pertinent Halachos relating to Tisha B'Av: 

 

*	The final meal before Tisha B'Av is called the Seudah Mafsekes. Its
Halachos are intended to create an atmosphere of mourning even before Tisha
B'Av begins.
*	The custom is to sit on the ground, but one does not have to remove
one's shoes.
*	One may only eat one cooked food at this meal. The custom is to eat
a simple meal consisting of bread, hard-boiled eggs, and water. Preferably,
one should dip some of the bread in a small amount of ashes, and say "This
is the Tisha B'Av meal".
*	One should not recite Bircas HaMazon with a zimun. If there are
three men present, it is preferable that they do not eat the meal together
(to avoid the zimun obligation).
*	After the Seuda Mafsekes, one may continue to eat and drink until
sunset, unless one firmly decided to begin the fast. 
*	Clearly, the Seuda Mafsekes does not suffice to prepare for the
Tisha B'Av fast. A more substantial meal is required. In order to allow for
these two meals to take place in relatively close succession, the custom is
to eat a regular, full meal (leaving some room for the Seuda Mafsekes),
daven Mincha, and then eat the Seuda Mafsekes. Those who are not able to use
Mincha to separate the two meals should make sure to have a substantial
break before beginning the Seuda Mafsekes.
*	We will daven Mincha at 7:00pm. All the prohibitions of Tisha B'Av
begin at 8:15pm. Maariv will begin at 8:45pm, followed by Eicha. 
*	Nursing and pregnant women are obligated to fast on Tisha B'Av,
barring extenuating circumstances. For this reason, it is important to
prepare properly for the fast to ensure that one can fast. For example, a
nursing mother should prepare formula or her own milk in order to ensure
that the infant has sufficient nutrition during and after Tisha B'Av. As
well, nursing and pregnant women should arrange their Tisha B'Av in a
fashion that allows them to rest and conserve energy. In special
circumstances, a nursing or pregnant woman may be allowed to eat and drink;
a Rabbi should be consulted. As well, any person who is actually ill (this
does not include weakness, mild headaches, etc., that often accompany
fasting) is exempt from fasting. [A woman who gave birth within 30 days
before Tisha B'Av should consult a Rabbi.]
*	Children under Bar/Bas Mitzva are not obligated to fast the entire
day.
*	One is permitted to swallow capsules or bitter medicine tablets
without water.
*	Washing for pleasure is prohibited, but one may wash a part of the
body which has become dirty. Even for Netilas Yadayim in the morning, one
may only wash until the end of one's fingers. An individual who soils one's
hands when preparing food may wash off the residue.
*	Marital relations and application of creams, oils, perfume etc. onto
one's body is prohibited. [It is permitted to apply medication and to use
deodorant.]
*	One may not wear shoes that have any leather or suede on them.
*	One should not greet people on Tisha B'Av (e.g. "how are you", "good
morning", "hello").
*	One should not sit on a chair more than 12 inches high. This
prohibition ends at midday (1:02pm).
*	One should try to spend as much time as possible focusing on the
mourning for the Bais HaMikdash. One should definitely try to defer work
until after midday, when possible.
*	The times for Shacharis, Mincha, and Maariv are on the Shul
calendar. The fast concludes at 8:55pm.
*	Some of the Halachos of mourning extend until midday of the tenth of
Av, because the Bais HaMikdash burned throughout that day. However, this
year, given that Tisha B'Av concludes Thursday night, one is allowed to get
a haircut and launder clothes on Thursday night, in honor of Shabbos.
However, one should not eat meat or listen to music until midday on Friday.

 

May we soon merit celebrating the day of Tisha B'Av as a Mo'ed, with the
building of the Third Bais HaMikdash!

Rabbi Cohen 

 

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