49 Lessons
The Laws of Three Weeks Explaining the Laws of the Three Weeks
The three-week period between Shiva Asar B’Tammuz and Tisha B’Av is kept by Klal Yisrael as a time of mourning. In this article, we will review and explain the halachos that apply during the Three Weeks.
Peninei Halakha 23. “The Week of Tisha Be-Av” when Tisha Be-Av is Postponed to Sunday
Chapter 8: The Customs of the Three Weeks
When Tisha Be-Av falls out on Shabbat, the fast is postponed to Sunday. So when is The Week of Tisha Be-Av?
Peninei Halakha 22. Shabbat Hazon
Chapter 8: The Customs of the Three Weeks
Shabbat Ĥazon is the Shabbat preceding Tisha Be-Av, on which we read the haftara beginning with the words “The vision of Yeshayahu".
Peninei Halakha 20. Children’s Clothing and Hospital Garb
Chapter 8: The Customs of the Three Weeks
Clothes worn by babies who regularly soil their outfits are not included in the prohibition. Likewise, one may wash sheets and blankets of young children who wet themselves at night.
Peninei Halakha 21. Bathing
Chapter 8: The Customs of the Three Weeks
Even though the Sages prohibited bathing on Tisha Be-Av only, the Rishonim were stringent and would refrain from bathing on the days preceding Tisha Be-Av as well.
Peninei Halakha 19. The Prohibition on Laundry
Chapter 8: The Customs of the Three Weeks
The Sages prohibited laundering clothes during the week in which Tisha Be-Av falls. This is an expression of mourning.
Peninei Halakha 17. The Laws of Building during the Nine Days
Chapter 8: The Customs of the Three Weeks
A Jewish contractor and Jewish workers may continue building residential homes during the Nine Days in order to sell them, because the units are designed as living quarters and not as luxury homes.
Peninei Halakha 18. The Laws of Business Transactions During the Nine Days
Chapter 8: The Customs of the Three Weeks
We curtail joyous business transactions during the Nine Days. That is to say, one may not buy luxury items like jewelry, clothing, fancy appliances, new furniture, or a car for personal use.
Peninei Halakha 16. Building and Planting During the Nine Days
Chapter 8: The Customs of the Three Weeks
Since we curtail our joy from the beginning of Av, one may not build anything that brings joy during the Nine Days.
Peninei Halakha 15. Meat and Wine on Shabbat Hazon and at a Se’udat Mitzva
Chapter 8: The Customs of the Three Weeks
We eat meat and drink wine on Shabbat Ĥazon, as we do on every other Shabbat of the year.
Peninei Halakha 14. The Laws of Eating Meat and Drinking Wine
Chapter 8: The Customs of the Three Weeks
The prohibition on eating meat includes all types of meat. One who is even slightly ill may eat meat and drink wine, if it helps him.
Peninei Halakha 13. Meat and Wine
Chapter 8: The Customs of the Three Weeks
The Rishonim had a custom to refrain from eating meat and drinking wine during the period of mourning over the destruction of the Temple.
Peninei Halakha 12. When Av Arrives, we Curtail our Joy
Chapter 8: The Customs of the Three Weeks
The Sages state in the Mishna (Ta’anit 26b), “When Av arrives, we curtail our joy,” because this is a period of mourning over the Temple’s destruction. Therefore, one should not engage in joyous activities.
Peninei Halakha 11. Shaving One’s Beard During the Three Weeks
Chapter 8: The Customs of the Three Weeks
Ashkenazim and some Sephardim is to refrain from cutting one’s hair during the entirety of the Three Weeks. Regarding shaving one’s beard, however, a question arises.
Peninei Halakha 10. Haircuts
Chapter 8: The Customs of the Three Weeks
The Sages instituted prohibitions against cutting one’s hair and washing one’s clothes during the week of Tisha Be-Av.
Peninei Halakha 9. Marriage and Engagement
Chapter 8: The Customs of the Three Weeks
It is customary in most Jewish communities that no weddings are held during the Three Weeks. Until the first of Av, one may hold a modest, small-scale engagement party.
Peninei Halakha 8. In Which Cases May One Recite She-heheyanu?
Chapter 8: The Customs of the Three Weeks
One who is presented the opportunity to perform a mitzva that requires one to recite She-heĥeyanu.According to most poskim, one may recite She-heĥeyanu on the Shabbatot of the Three Weeks.
Peninei Halakha 7. Reciting She-heheyanu During the Three Weeks
Chapter 8: The Customs of the Three Weeks
Some of the greatest Rishonim would refrain from eating a new fruit or buying a new garment during the Three Weeks, in order to avoid reciting She-heĥeyanu.
