Lessons by Rabbi Eliezer Melamed on The Laws of Three Weeks

27 Lessons

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?

Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Cheshvan 20 5782

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".

Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Cheshvan 20 5782

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.

Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Cheshvan 20 5782

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.

Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Cheshvan 20 5782

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.

Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Cheshvan 20 5782

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.

Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Cheshvan 19 5782

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.

Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Cheshvan 19 5782

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.

Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Cheshvan 19 5782

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.

Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Cheshvan 19 5782

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.

Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Cheshvan 19 5782

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.

Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Cheshvan 19 5782

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.

Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Cheshvan 19 5782

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.

Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Cheshvan 19 5782

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.

Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Cheshvan 19 5782

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.

Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Cheshvan 19 5782

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.

Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Cheshvan 19 5782

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.

Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Cheshvan 19 5782

Peninei Halakha

6. Hiking, Swimming, and Hotel Vacations

Chapter 8: The Customs of the Three Weeks

Some maintain that one must refrain from hiking and swimming or bathing in the sea or a swimming pool during the Three Weeks.

Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Cheshvan 19 5782

Peninei Halakha

5. The Halakha in Practice

Chapter 8: The Customs of the Three Weeks

It seems that in practice, according to the lenient view, we should divide all songs into three categories. From the beginning of the Three Weeks, one should refrain from listening to the first category of music. Starting from the first of Av, one should refrain from listening to the middle category as well

Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Cheshvan 19 5782

Peninei Halakha

4. Listening to Music on Personal Electronic Devices

Chapter 8: The Customs of the Three Weeks

Some authorities maintain that just as one may not listen to live music during the Three Weeks, However, some permit listening to music on electronic devices.

Beit Midrash

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?

Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Cheshvan 20 5782

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".

Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Cheshvan 20 5782

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.

Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Cheshvan 20 5782

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.

Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Cheshvan 20 5782

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.

Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Cheshvan 20 5782

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.

Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Cheshvan 19 5782

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.

Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Cheshvan 19 5782

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.

Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Cheshvan 19 5782

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.

Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Cheshvan 19 5782

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.

Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Cheshvan 19 5782

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.

Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Cheshvan 19 5782

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.

Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Cheshvan 19 5782

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.

Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Cheshvan 19 5782

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.

Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Cheshvan 19 5782

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.

Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Cheshvan 19 5782

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.

Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Cheshvan 19 5782

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.

Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Cheshvan 19 5782

6. Hiking, Swimming, and Hotel Vacations

Chapter 8: The Customs of the Three Weeks

Some maintain that one must refrain from hiking and swimming or bathing in the sea or a swimming pool during the Three Weeks.

Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Cheshvan 19 5782

5. The Halakha in Practice

Chapter 8: The Customs of the Three Weeks

Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Cheshvan 19 5782

4. Listening to Music on Personal Electronic Devices

Chapter 8: The Customs of the Three Weeks

Some authorities maintain that just as one may not listen to live music during the Three Weeks, However, some permit listening to music on electronic devices.

Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Cheshvan 19 5782