Rabbi Rael Blumenthal

This year, Tisha B’av falls out on Motzei Shabbos / Sunday.

Shabbos Chazon:

• In previous generations, there was a debate whether or not to observe any practices of mourning on Shabbos Chazon (The Shabbos preceding Tisha B’av). In recent years, the prevalent custom is to celebrate Shabbos as usual, without any detraction from it.
• One is permitted to eat meat, drink wine, and wear fresh clothing.
• However, from sunset on Shabbos afternoon (8:07pm), until nightfall (8:44pm), Shabbos had not yet ended, and the fast of Tisha B’av has already begun.
• During this time, we do not eat or drink, but we also continue to wear Shabbos clothes, and sit on regular chairs.
• This year, there is no Seudas Mafsekes. Instead, we eat the third meal of Shabbos. One is permitted to eat meat, drink wine and to sing as usual. (Eating and drinking must be concluded by 8:07pm. Benching can be said thereafter.)
• At 8:44pm, we say “Baruch ha’mavdil bein kodesh l’chol”. Then, we remove our leather shoes, take off our Shabbos clothing, and change into weekday clothes. One should wear clothing that was already worn the previous week, because one may not wear freshly laundered clothing on Tish’a B’Av.

Havdalah:

• Since the fast begins during Shabbos, it is impossible to say havdalah over a cup of wine. Nevertheless, we say havdalah – “Ata Chonantanu” – in the Ma’ariv Amida.
• Some hold that women should daven this Ma’ariv, even if they do not usually do so, in order to make havdalah in Ata Chonantanu.
• We do say the Bracha “Borei M’orei Ha’Eish” before reading Eicha. (If you are not at shul, you should say this bracha on a fire at home.)
• At the end of the fast on Sunday night, before eating or drinking, one must say havdalah over a cup of wine, which includes: Borei Pri HaGafen, and HaMavdil (He Who separates). No bracha is made on spices or fire.
• A sick person, who needs to eat on Tish’a B’Av must say havdalah over a cup before eating. Preferably, one should use to use chamar medinah – a distinguished beverage other than wine. One can use beer, or coffee.
• If one has no such beverage, say havdalah over grape juice.
• A child who eats on Tish’a B’Av need not say havdalah before eating.

Laws of Tisha B’Av

Fasting:

• A person who is sick (even if not life threatening) is not obligated to fast on Tisha B’av. Sick is defined as: pain or weakness whichprecludes them from continuing their regular routine of life.
• Pregnant and Nursing women are obligated to fast on Tisha B’av, unless they are experiencing unusual weakness.
• A woman within thirty days of childbirth is considered ill, and is exempt from fasting.
• A woman who is unsure whether or not she is considered ill should begin the fast. Then, if she starts feeling very weak, her status changes from that of a regular pregnant woman to that of a sick person, allowing her to eat and drink.

Washing:

• Any form of washing for the sake of pleasure is forbidden on Tish’a B’Av, whether the water is hot or cold.
• One may wash ones hands after changing a diaper, or before preparing food for children.
• A person who is extremely uncomfortable due to their breath in the morning, may use mouth wash.

Anointing:

• One may not apply oils, cream, cosmetics or perfumes on Tisha B’av.
• Applying creams for medicinal purposes is permitted. Vaseline for dry skin, anti-itch cream, sunscreen and bug repellent are permissible.

Leather Shoes:

• It is forbidden to wear shoes that have any leather in them.
• Some poskim hold that one should avoid shoes that are particularly comfortable.
• All other leather items (belts etc...) are permissible.

Marital Relations:

• On the night of Tish’a B’Av a couple should behave as they do when the wife is a niddah.
• During the day, touching an passing items is permissible, but affectionate touch is prohibited.

Work On Tisha B’av

• Chazal teach us that, “Anyone who works on Tish’a B’Av will never see a sign of blessing from it” (Ta’anis 30b). The reason is that doing work distracts one from mourning. However, Chazal did not prohibit work on Tish’a B’Av explicitly.
• Nowadays, the minhag is to refrain from doing work on Tish’a B’Av until midday and we work after midday only if it is very necessary.

Additional Halachos on Tisha B’av:

• One should sit on a low chair, or on the floor. This prohibition is lifted at midday (1:27pm).
• We do not learn Torah which makes us happy. This prohibition applies throughout the day, until the end of the fast.
• We do not greet each other on Tisha B’av. However, if one receives a greeting, it can be retuned in a soft voice and serious tone.

May we merit that this year, these Halachos are only theoretical, and that we never need to observe them again.