21. Minors

Chapter 10: The Laws of Tisha Be-Av

It is a mitzva to educate our children to observe the mitzvot relating to Tisha Be-Av and mourning over the destruction of the Temple, just as we teach them about all other mitzvot.

20. When Tisha Be-Av Falls Out on Shabbat and is Postponed

Chapter 10: The Laws of Tisha Be-Av

When the ninth of Av falls out on Shabbat, the fast is postponed to Sunday. On that Shabbat, we show no signs of mourning.

18. Torah Verses in the Prayers and in the Berakha of She-asa Li Kol Tzorki

Chapter 10: The Laws of Tisha Be-Av

Most of the passages recited in the Korbanot section were included in the regular prayer service. On Tisha Be-Av, when one may not study Torah, the question arises: May one recite these passages?

19. The Laws of the Tenth of Av

Chapter 10: The Laws of Tisha Be-Av

The Babylonians conquered the Temple on the seventh of Av and set it ablaze toward evening on the ninth of the month, and it continued burning throughout the tenth. The Jewish people refrained from eating meat and drinking wine on that date.

17. Removing the Curtain from the Ark; Talit and Tefilin

Chapter 10: The Laws of Tisha Be-Av

We remove the curtain from the synagogue’s ark prior to Ma’ariv. Many have a custom not to wear a talit or tefilin at Shaĥarit.

14. Working

Chapter 10: The Laws of Tisha Be-Av

The Sages state: “Anyone who works on Tisha Be-Av will never see any sign of blessing from it”.

16. Aneinu, Nahem, Birkat Kohanim, and Tahanun

Chapter 10: The Laws of Tisha Be-Av

The laws of reciting Aneinu on Tisha Be-Av are the same as on the other fast days. The Sages instituted that one should add the Naĥem prayer to the berakha of Boneh Yerushalayim in the Amida whenever Aneinu is recited.

15. Reading Eikha and Dimming the Lights

Chapter 10: The Laws of Tisha Be-Av

We read Eikha after praying Ma’ariv. It is customary to darken the synagogue on the night of Tisha Be-Av. Many people have a custom to read it again during the day, after reciting the Kinot.

12. Going on Trips and Visiting the Western Wall

Chapter 10: The Laws of Tisha Be-Av

It is clear that one should not refrain from going to the Kotel (the Western Wall) out of concern that he might meet friends there and become happy.

13. Sitting and Lying on the Ground

Chapter 10: The Laws of Tisha Be-Av

Technically, there is no obligation to sleep or lie on the ground on Tisha Be-Av. Some people sleep on the ground on Tisha Be-Av; others sleep without a pillow. It is customary to sit on the ground like mourners on Tisha Be-Av.

11. Greeting One Another

Chapter 10: The Laws of Tisha Be-Av

Just as mourners may not greet others, so too, one may not greet others on Tisha Be-Av.

10. Torah Study

Chapter 10: The Laws of Tisha Be-Av

Just as a mourner may not study Torah during the shiva period, one may not study Torah on Tisha Be-Av, so that one’s attention is not diverted from the mourning.

4. The Transition from Shabbat to Tisha Be-Av when it Begins on Motza’ei Shabbat

Chapter 9: The Eve of Tisha Be-Av

The rule is that we do not mourn on Shabbat. Therefore, even if the ninth of Av falls out on Shabbat, we postpone the fast to Sunday. Since there is no mourning on Shabbat, we behave as usual.

5. Havdala on Tisha Be-Av When It Begins on Motza’ei Shabbat

Chapter 9: The Eve of Tisha Be-Av

The fast begins immediately at the end of Shabbat, making it is impossible to recite havdala over a cup of wine. Therefore, we postpone reciting havdala over a beverage until after Tisha Be-Av ends.

2. Which Foods Are Prohibited?

Chapter 9: The Eve of Tisha Be-Av

During the se’uda ha-mafseket, one may eat as much raw food that he wants. If one cooks them, however, they are considered cooked dishes, despite the fact that they are edible even when uncooked.

3. Customs of the Se’uda Ha-mafseket

Chapter 9: The Eve of Tisha Be-Av

The Talmud relates how R. Yehuda b. R. Ila’i would act at his se’uda ha-mafseket: He would be given dry bread with salt, and in an undignified place – between the furnace and the oven – eat it with a flask of water, as though in the presence of a newly-deceased relative.

1. Se’uda Ha-mafseket

Chapter 9: The Eve of Tisha Be-Av

What is the se’uda ha-mafseket? It is the last meal before the fast, eaten after midday.

Tisha B'Av on Motsaei Shabbat: A Primer

The transition from Shabbat to the Fast of Tisha B’Av * How to make havdalah when Tisha B'Av falls on Motzei Shabbat * The halakha for pregnant and nursing women when Tisha B'Av falls on Shabbat, and is postponed to Sunday