The Ninth of Av

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

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.

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.

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.

Just as mourners may not greet others, so too, one may not greet others on 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.

The fifth way in which we afflict ourselves on Tisha Be-Av is by abstaining from sexual relations.

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.

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.

One may wash one’s hands for the sake of a mitzva because such washing is not for the purpose of gaining pleasure.