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  • Shabbat and Holidays
  • Tisha B'Av

tisha b av

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Rabbi David Sperling

Tammuz 25, 5782
Question
shalom Rav what do we wear on tisha bav? Are we supposed to wear clothing with holes and stains?
Answer
Shalom, Thank you for your question. There are three laws in relation to what to wear on the fast of the 9th of Av. The first is that it is forbidden to wear leather shoes. Some have the practice to wear only slippers, or socks, or other footwear that is not so “shoe - like”. But, many have the practice to wear even full shoes, as long as they are not made out of leather (or have any leather trimming etc). This year, as the fast starts immediately after Shabbat, as soon as Shabbat departs, you should change your shoes. The next law is that it is forbidden to wear freshly laundered clothing. So one cannot put on clean laundered clothes on the fast. The exception to this rule is changing underwear etc for purely hygenic reasons, which is allowed. Most people will (as soon as Shabbat is over) change back into the clothing they were wearing on Friday. The third law is that it is inappropriate to wear nice clothes on the fast day. For this reason we change out of our Shabbat clothes, and wear standard weekday clothes. While this is not a strict law (unlike the first two points), this is certainly appropriate behaviour. There is no custom to wear clothes with holes or stains. May we merit to see the rebuilding of the Temple and the complete redemption speedily in our days, Blessings.
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