11 Lessons
Peninei Halakha 9. Sexual Relations
Chapter 10: The Laws of Tisha Be-Av
The fifth way in which we afflict ourselves on Tisha Be-Av is by abstaining from sexual relations.
Peninei Halakha 8. Wearing Shoes
Chapter 10: The Laws of Tisha Be-Av
One may not wear high-quality shoes on Tisha Be-Av. There is a dispute among the poskim about the status of non-leather shoes.
Peninei Halakha 7. Anointing Oneself, Fragrances, and Smoking
Chapter 10: The Laws of Tisha Be-Av
One may not apply oil or ointment on Tisha Be-Av even to a small area of the body. One may not smell perfumes or other fragrances on Tisha Be-Av.
Peninei Halakha 6. Washing for the Sake of a Mitzva
Chapter 10: The Laws of Tisha Be-Av
One may wash one’s hands for the sake of a mitzva because such washing is not for the purpose of gaining pleasure.
Peninei Halakha 4. Pregnant and Nursing Women
Chapter 10: The Laws of Tisha Be-Av
sick people are exempt from fasting on Tisha Be-Av, while pregnant and nursing women – despite the aches and pains that they experience – are not considered sick.
Peninei Halakha 5. Washing
Chapter 10: The Laws of Tisha Be-Av
Any form of pleasurable washing is prohibited on Tisha Be-Av, whether the water is hot or cold. One may not even wash a small part of his body.
Peninei Halakha 3. The Prohibition of Eating and the Status of Sick People and Postpartum Women
Chapter 10: The Laws of Tisha Be-Av
Sick people are exempt from fasting on Tisha Be-Av. A woman within thirty days of childbirth is considered sick.Those who are exempt from fasting should take care to eat only simple foods that they need for their health.
Peninei Halakha 2. General Rules of the Fasts
Chapter 10: The Laws of Tisha Be-Av
There are few halakhic differences between Tisha Be-Av and the minor fasts. In general, the fast of Tisha Be-Av is equivalent to the fast of Yom Kippur.
Peninei Halakha 1. Instituting the Fast of Tisha Be-Av
Chapter 10: The Laws of Tisha Be-Av
), The prophets instituted four fasts after the destruction of the First Temple, the gravest of which is Tisha Be-Av, the ninth day of the Hebrew month of Av, the day that the Temple was destroyed
Peninei Halakha 4. Tisha Be-Av
Chapter 6: The Four Fasts Commemorating the Destruction of the Temple
The Sages state in the Mishna: Five tragic events befell our forefathers on the ninth of Av
The Ninth of Av When Tisha B’Av Eve is on the Sabbath
Even if Shabbat Chazon falls on the eve of Tisha B’Av (Ninth of Av), or if Tisha B’Av itself coincides with Sabbath and the fast is postponed to Sunday, we eat meat, drink wine, and sing Sabbath songs as usual, for mourning is forbidden on the Sabbath.