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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.