The Nine Days & Tisha B’Av Class

MHWOW Event -July 8th, 2021 Moriah Dubowsky

Taken directly from: Jewish Pathways & Partners in Torah

Intro (& Bein Hametzarim)
The Three Weeks, which occurs between the 17th of Tammuz and Tisha B’Av are days of misfortune for the Jewish people. The twenty-one days between the 17th of Tammuz and the 9th of Av/Tisha B’Av are referred to as the Bein Hametzarim, which are the days “between the fences/straits”, (from Lamentations 1:3) “all her oppressors have overtaken her between the fences”. This refers to the manner in which Israel was trapped. She had nowhere to go and no one would come to her aid. She was trapped between fences. Also, the 17th of Tammuz and Tisha B’Av border the most difficult days of summer, especially in Israel and Las Vegas, Nevada. [Middrash Rabbah]

Shabbos Haftorah
On Shabbos, during the Three Weeks, the Haftorahs are taken from Isaiah/Yeshayahu and Jeremiah/Yermuyahu, which discuss the Temple/Beis HaMikdosh’s destruction and the exile of the Jewish people.

Less Joy & Celebration
During this time we minimize joy and celebration. This does not mean that we should be depressed, G-d forbid. Although our joy should be diminished during the Three Weeks, that should be limited to areas in which we experience personal pleasure. In areas of Divine service such as prayer, mitzvah observance, and Torah Study, we must overcome our inclination to be gloomy and perform them with great joy during these weeks. Hashem still seeks our company and delights in our service. [Avodas Yisroel (Maggid of Koznitz)]

17th of Tammuz
The 17th of Tammuz is the start of the Three Weeks. The 17th of Tammuz is a fast day; no eating or drinking or drinking permitted from dawn to dusk. The objective of the fast is to awaken our sense of loss. “Five tragedies occured to our ancestors on the 17th day of Tammuz and five on the 9th of Av. On the 17th of Tammuz the two tablets were broken (by Moshe, the daily Temple offering ceased to be brought, the walls of the city of Yerushalim were breached, Apostomus burt a Torah scroll, and an idol was erected in the Sanctuary. [Tractate Taanis 26a]

The Three Weeks
During the weeks leading up to Tisha B’Av, starting from the 17th of Tammuz, we gradually increase the intensity of our mourning. There are also several laws and customs/minhagim during this time:
*Recognize the differences between the Sephardi and Ashkenazi customs*

Ashkenazim do not hold weddings during the Three Weeks. [Rema Sephardim begin this restriction on the 1st of Av. There are two reasons offered for the custom to not get married during this time. First, it is not a good omen for the couple and secondly, it gives the impression of being uncensored with the tragedy of the destruction of the Temple. One should not get

together at an event with singing and dancing.
Haircuts and shaving are forbidden during the Three Weeks, according to Ashkenazi custom. [Mishnah Berurah 551:82] Sephardim only need to refrain from doing so from the Sunday of the week in which Tisha B’Av falls. [Orach Chaim 551:12] If failure to shave will cause a financial loss (ex: possibly losing a client), even the Ashkenazim will follow the more lenient approach. [Rabbi Shimon Eider’s “Halachos of the Three Weeks” (Feldheim), pg. 3]
It is forbidden to say the Shehechiyanu blessing during the Three Weeks. Thus if one wants to wear new clothes or eat a new fruit, it should be saved for Shabbos, when the blessing is permitted. [Mishnah Berurah 551:45] Pious people have a custom not to eat “new” fruit or benefit from anything that would require the Shehechiyanu blessing, in which one blesses Hashem for having brought him to this time period, because of the sad nature of the time. [Sefer HaChassidim]

“When Av begins, we must diminish our joy. During the week in which Tisha B’Av falls, it is forbidden to shave, take a haircut or launder clothing... Erev Tisha B’Av one should not eat two cooked foods. He should not eat meat and he should not drink wine...”[Tractate Taanis 26a]

Within the Three Weeks are the Nine Days, which directly proceeds Tisha B’Av, starting on the 1st of Av:

First (Rosh Chodesh) of Av
The month of Av is also called “Menachem Av”, because “Av” means “father” and “menachem” means “comfort”. During this difficult time, we are comforted by the

Orach Chaim 551:2]

[Orach Chaim 551:2]

[Ba”ch]

[Mishnah Berurah 551:16]

knowledge that the source of our difficulty was from our “Father in Heaven”, who loves us deeply. Although He is compelled to sometimes rebuke us, He will never desert us or allow us to be totally destroyed.

On Rosh Chodesh Av, Aharon the Kohen Gadol/High Priest, passed away. Upon his passing the Clouds of Glory, which had accompanied us and protected us from all harm suddenly departed. The Divine Presence left us and we were open to attack from our enemies. Aharon was beloved for his ability to promote peace and unity among the Jewish people. [Avos 1:12] Without his influence the Jewish people began to fracture and peace and harmony was not assured. The disunity among the Jewish people bore tragic results later in our history. [Ben Yehuda]

“Upon the inception of the month of Av, we minimize our joy” [Tractate Taanis 26b]

The Nine Days
The period starting with Rosh Chodesh Av is called the “Nine Days”. During this time a stricter level of mourning is observed. So, along with the previous restrictions of the Three Weeks we have:

Home improvements, such as decorating and construction for pleasure purposes are forbidden. [Orach Chaim 551:2] (Ex: building a vacation home, patio, etc.) It is permitted to build a home or extension that is necessary for dwelling purposes. It is also permitted to build a shul [Mishnah Berurah 551:12] or a mikvah. [Kaf HaChaim 551:32]
Planting trees or flowers in a home garden is forbidden. [Orach Chaim 551:2]

3. Eating meat or foods containing any meat or poultry (which is in the category of meat), as well as drinking wine or grape juice is forbidden. [Mishnah Berurah 551:58] Although, when the meal is for a mitzvah (Ex: a simcha - a Shabbos meal, a bris milah meal or siyum), it is permitted to eat meat and drink wine. [Rema - Orach Chaim 551:10] Meat may also be eaten by one who needs to do so for health reasons (Ex: pregnant or nursing women- women who have difficulty with particular dietary limitations) [Mishnah Berurah 551:61; Aruch HaShulchan (Orach Chaim 551:26)]

4. According to Ashkenazi custom, one may not clean or launder clothes. Sephardim begin this restriction from the Sunday of the week of Tisha B’Av. If a child frequently soils his/her clothes, they may be laundered. - Opinions differ until what age

[Orach Chaim 551:3]

[Orach Chaim 551:14]

this leniency applies: Some are strict only to wash the clothing the children who wear diapers (Levush 551:14, Aruch HaShulchan 551:15, and Chayei Adam 133), while others extend this to children of any age who constantly soil their clothing with dirt and mud (Rabbi Moshe Feinstein, cited in Halachos of the Three Weeks by Rabbi Shimon Eider).

5. In general, it is forbidden to purchase or make new clothes. It is permitted to repair torn clothing.

6. Bathing and swimming for pleasure are forbidden. [Orach Chaim 551:16] Bathing for medical purposes or to remove perspiration is permitted, but one should minimize the comfort by limiting the length and warmth of the shower/bath to whatever is necessary. [Mishnah Berurah 551:88; Aruch HaShulchan 551:37] On Friday, it is permitted to take a warm shower LeKavod Shabbos/in honor of Shabbos. [Rav Moshe Feinstein, as quoted by Eider, pg. 13] According to Sephardic tradition, this tradition begins in the week in which Tisha B’Av falls. [Yalkut Yosef (#18)]

7. One should avoid litigation with non-Jews, since fortune is inauspicious at this time. [Talmud-Taanis 29b; Orach Chaim 551:1] Activities that have an element of danger should be avoided altogether, during this time.

Similarly, many people avoid pleasure trips. [Orach Chaim]

Tisha B’Av
Tisha B’Av is the 9th Day in the Hebrew month of Av. It is the Jewish national day of mourning, which marks a series of calamities:

During the time of Moshe, Jews in the desert sent twelve spies and sent them to check out the Land of Israel, showing a lack of emunah/faith in Hashem. The spies came back with a negative report. The Jews accepted the slanderous report of the land from the spies. The decree was issued forbidding the Jews from entering the Land of Israel. (1312 BCE)

a. “And the congregation raised their voices and they cried...” [Deuteronomy 14:1] Rabba said in the name of Rabbi Yochanan, that the day the spies returned was Erev Tish B’Av. Hashem said , “They cried a meaningless cry, [therefore] I’ll give them a reason to cry for all generations.” [Tractate Sotah 35a]
The First Beis HaMikdosh/Temple was destroyed by the Babylonians, led by Nevuchadnezzar. About 100,000 Jews were slaughtered and millions

Chaim 551:14]

[Shu”t Igros Moshe

(Orach Chaim 3:79)]

[Orach Chaim 551:18]

Chaim 553:2]

more exiled. (586 BCE) (Nevuchadnezzar instructed his general Nevuzradan, “The G-d of the Jews is always ready to accept teshuvah/penitents. Therefore, when you capture them do allow them to pray to Him, so that they should not be able to repent. Otherwise, He will take pity on them.” [Midrash Eichah]

The Second Beis HaMikdosh/Temple was destroyed by the Romans, led by Titus. About two million Jews were killed and another million exiled. (70 CE)
The Bar Kochba revolt was crushed by Roman Emperor Hadrian. The city of Beitar - The Jews last stand against the Romans - was captured and liquidated. Over 100,000 Jews were slaughtered. (135 CE)
The Temple area and its surroundings were plowed under by the Roman general Turnus Rufus. Jerusalem was rebuilt as a pagan city - renamed Aelia Capitolina - and access was forbidden to Jews.

The Temple’s destruction and subsequent dispersion of the Jews from Israel left a scar on the Jewish people that has not yet healed. Other grave misfortunes throughout Jewish history occurred on Tish B’Av, including:

The Spanish Inquisition culminated with the expulsion of Jews from Spain in 1492.
World War I broke out on the eve of Tisha B’Av in 1914 when Germany declared war on Russia. German resentment from the war set the stage for the Holocaust.
On the eve of Tisha B’Av in 1942, there began a mass deportation of Jews from the Warsaw Ghetto, en route to Treblinka.

The fact that these tragedies occurred specifically in the months of Tammuz and Av, the hottest and most uncomfortable months of the year (in Israel and Las Vegas, Nevada) symbolizes a very encouraging idea. A close look at the two sets of tragedies reveals that the tragedies of 17 Tammuz were only the beginning of worse tragedies, whereas those of Av were conclusive in their nature. Just as the heat starts to fade after the 9th of Av, the pain and suffering we endure will also end, and we will one day merit only joy and happiness.

Who is obligated to fast?
Both men and women are obligated to fast.
On the afternoon prior to Tisha B’Av, it is customary to eat a Seuda Hamafsekes. This is a meal consisting of only bread, water and hard-boiled egg. The food is dipped in ashes, symbolizing mourning. [Orach Chaim 552:6] Preferably, the meal should be eaten alone, while sitting on the ground (like someone in mourning). [Orach Chaim 552:7]

On Tisha B’Av
The laws of Tisha B’Av are even more strict than the previous nine days, in order to instill an appreciation of this great loss.

On other fast days (like the 17th of Tammuz), it is forbidden to eat and drink from dawn until nightfall. Although, on Tisha B’Av the fast begins from sundown and continues for about 25 hours, until nightfall the next day. “Rabbi Shimon the son of Gamliel said, ‘One who eats and drinks on Tisha B’Av is equal to one who eats and drinks on Yom Kippur. [Tractate Taanis 30a]

Tisha B’Av has a number of additional restrictions, starting from sundown:

1. Rinsing out your mouth is forbidden, except in situations of great distress.

If done, one has to be careful to spit it out and not to swallow any of the

water or toothpaste.

2. Washing for pleasure is prohibited [Orach Chaim 554:1] In the morning, one may wash Al Netilas Yedayim, only until

[refer to Rambam Hilchos Taanis 1:4, Shulchan Aruch 550:1, Levush 550:1, Magen

Avraham 550:1, Chai Adom 133:6, Mishnah Berurah 550:1, Aruch HaShulchan, 459:5,

Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 121:11, Yabea Omer O.C. 2:28:11, Teshuvos V’hanhugos 4:121]

[Mishnah Berurah

567:11]

the knuckles. (right then left x3- usually, halachically, the water needs to touch up to the wrists) [Orach Chaim 554:10] One may only wash to the knuckles, even after using the restroom. [Mishnah Berurah 554:20] If one’s hands or another part of the body become dirty, one may wash the unclean portion and nothing else. Washing for medical purposes is always permitted.

Wearing leather footwear is forbidden on Tisha B’Av. [Orach Chaim 554:1] Even if there is a bit of leather on any part of the show, it may not be worn. [Mishnah Berurah 554:31]
Applying substances to the body such as soap, ointment, perfume, cologne, and the like are forbidden. [Orach Chaim 554:1] This is when it’s done for pleasure, but permitted for any health reason. [Orach Chaim 554:15] It is permitted to use a deodorant whose purpose is to remove or prevent bad odor. [Biur Halacha 554:15]
Marital intimacy is forbidden. [Orach Chaim 554:1] This includes any physical form of affection on the night of Tisha B’Av. [Mishnah Berurah 554:37]
Studying Torah is forbidden on Tisha B’Av, because it naturally gladdens the soul. [Orach Chaim 554:1] However, one may study Torah that relates to Tisha B’Av and the themes of the day. This includes the Book of Job, portions of the book of Jeremiah, the Talmudic and midrashic accounts of the Temples’ destruction, the laws of Tisha B’Av, laws of mourning, etc.[Orach Chaim 554:1-2]
Greeting people with terms such as “good morning”, etc. is forbidden [Mishnah Berurah 554:41] as is offerings gifts [Orach Chaim 554:20]
Sitting on an ordinary seat is forbidden until the halachic midday/chatzos. [Orach Chaim 559:3] It is always permitted to sit on the floor or on a low seat that is less than 12 inches tall. [Eider, pg. 24] After midday, one may sit on any seat. [Orach Chaim 559:3] Also, one should try to limit their comforts on Tisha B’Av, like sleeping with less pillows. [Rema - Orach Chaim 555:2] The elderly, or people for whom this is difficult, may sit on a low stool, the height of which should not exceed 12 inches.

[Orach Chaim 554:9]

[Mishnah Berurah 554:26]

9. Going to work, engaging in business, or other distracting labors is prohibited until halachic midday, unless it will result in substantial loss. [Orach Chaim 554:22] Consult your rabbi if you have a question about your own circumstances. “Rabbi Akiva said, ‘One who works on Tisha B’Av will never see any blessing from that work.’”[Tractate Taanis 30a]

One should refrain from engaging in leisure activities and idle gossip.

Prayers/Tefillos on Tisha B’Av
At the evening service, the night of Tisha B’Av, the shul’s lights are dimmed, candles are lit, and the curtain is removed from the ark/aron. The cantor/chazan leads the prayers/davening in a low and mournful tone. A few things are read; The Book of Lamentations/Eicha, Jeremiah’s poetic lament over the destruction of Jerusalem and the First Temple. [Orach Chaim 559:2]

As an expression of mourning, men do not wear a tallis or tefillin at Shachris. Instead they are worn later in the day at Mincha. At the end of Shachris, we recite Kinnos.

On Tisha B’Av we recite the special Aneinu prayer that is said on other fasts. Tachanun and Avinu Malkanu are omitted.

Another insertion, called Nacheim, is added by Ashkenazim to the Amidah of Mincha, [Orach Chaim 557:1] and by Sephardim to both Shacharis and Mincha. This is a moving plea to the Almighty to console those who mourn the Temple, and rebuild Jerusalem.

The Book of Lamentations/Eicha
Author: the Prophet Jeremiah/Yermiyahu (who spent years trying to get the Jewish people to repent, in vain.)

The scroll of Eicha is usually read from a book or scroll that is not written on traditional parchment. This is because the scribes were hesitant to write it on parchment, hoping for the Messiah/Moshiach’s immediate arrival and parchment is a sign of permanence. Once Moshiach comes we will no longer mourn on Tisha B’Av or read the Book of Eicha.

Eicha encapsulates the destruction of the first Temple and alludes to the destruction of the second Temple. Four of the five chapter’s verses follow the order of the aleph beis. It is read in a mournful tone. Some communities have a custom to also read it in the morning, after Kinnos.

Kinnos
Authors: Rabbi Eliezer Hakalir, Rabbi Shlomo Ibn Gabriel, and Rabbi Judah Halevi.

A few Kinnos are recited the night of Tisha B’Av, after Eicha. We also recite it t the end of Shachris. This is a book of [poetic] elegies over the loss of Jerusalem and other Jewish tragedies. The heartbreaking poetry was written by various authors that span a millennium. Kinos should not be read after halachic midday. The Kinnos are designed to shed tears that are heartfelt and full of sadness, over our loss. It also gives us hope for a better future, when we return to Israel and rebuild the Temple to serve Hashem.

Sources:

Aruch HaShulchan
Avodas Yisroel (Maggid of Koznitz)
Ba”ch
Ben Yehuda
Biur Halachah
Chayei Adam
Deuteronomy
Halachically Speaking Weekly Newsletter: Halachos of a Fast Day by Rabbi

Moshe Lebovits
Halachos of the Three Weeks (Feldheim- Rabbi Shimon Eider’s)
Hilchos Taanis
Jewish Pathways – Taking the Next Step (Daily Living – Class #42) Based on

the research by Rabbi Dov Lev Kaf HaChaim

Kitzur Shulchan Aruch Levush
Magen Avraham Meisels

Midrash Eichah
Midrash Rabbah
Mishnah Berurah
Nine Days Yesodos by A. Levin (based on Sefer Ma’adanei Asher) Orach Chaim

Rambam
Rav Moshe Feinstein, as quoted by Eider
Rema Orach Chaim
Sefer HaChassidim
Shu”t Igros Moshe
Shulchan Aruch
Teshuvos V’hanhugos
Partners in Torah – The Three Weeks in 60 minutes (or Less) by Rabbi Elazar Tractate Sotah
Tractate Taanis
Yalkut Yosef
Yabea Omer