Beit Midrash
- Shabbat and Holidays
- Jewish Holidays
- The Three Weeks
B'Av. The operative principle is, "When Av
commences, joy is lessened." We refrain from
business matters, building, recreational
activities, etc. to lessen pleasure. All those
over age 6 abstain from meat, poultry, wine or
grape juice, except on Shabbat or at a Seudat
Mitzva (siyum, Brit, Pidyon HaBen, etc). Beer &
whiskey is allowed. Food cooked in fleishig
utensils may be eaten. We do not purchase or
launder clothes, or wear freshly-laundered
clothes, if possible (except on Shabbat).
Underwear, socks & young kids’ clothes may be
laundered. Bathing for pleasure is not allowed;
but we assume that bathing/showering today is for
hygienic reasons & so is permitted. Swimming,
unless instructional, is avoided for those above
Bar/Bat Mitzva age. Pleasure trips & gift-giving
should also be avoided. This is Ashkenazic
custom; most Sefardim observe these practices
only in the week when Tisha B'Av occurs (this year August 11).
Rabbi Stewart Weiss
Was ordained at the Hebrew Theological College in Skokie, Illinois, and led congregations in Chicago and Dallas prior to making Aliyah in 1992. He directs the Jewish Outreach Center in Ra'anana, helping to facilitate the spiritual absorption of new olim.
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