Information for the 9 Days and Tisha B'Av

Tuesday evening, July 21, at sundown, marks the beginning of the month Av.  Because of the many tragedies that have befallen our people on the 9th of Av, including the destruction of the First and Second Temples, our Rabbis decreed that we must reduce joy from the beginning of the month. 

Specifically the rabbis prohibited the following activities starting on Rosh Chodesh Av:

1. Eating meat or drinking wine, which are seen as emblematic of joy. On Shabbat meat and wine are permitted. At havdalah, wine may be used, although it is preferable to use grape juice or give it to a child to drink rather than drinking it ourselves.  We can also make havdalah on beer.  While some people will make a siyyum (the completion of a tractate of Talmud) during the 9 days in order to allow them to eat meat at the accompanying celebratory meal, the Arukh HaShulchan argues that it is preferable simply to go without meat during the nine days and make a siyyum another time.

2. Bathing (short, cold showers for hygiene or to prepare for Shabbos are permitted). 

3. Doing laundry or wearing freshly laundered clothes that have not been worn since they were washed.  It is preferable to put on any clean clothes clothes that you plan to wear during the nine days for at least a few minutes before Rosh Chodesh, in order to be able to consider them "worn," and therefore permissible to wear.  According to many opinions this applies even to underwear, but for those without a supply of pre-worn underwear, it is permissible to be lenient.

4. Expanding business (one shouldn't enter into a new business venture during the nine days).

5. Building or planting for joy.  Building a structure to live in or planting food crops is permissible, but ornamental gardening or building structures that function primarily to bring joy, and not to provide shelter, are prohibited.

All of the above are in addition to the mourning customs observed during the "Three Weeks" from the Fast of the 17th of Tamuz until the 9th of Av, which include:

1. No haircuts or shaving.

2. No weddings.

3. No instrumental or celebratory music. Functional music (such as music you use to help you stay awake while driving) and a cappella music are permitted according to many authorities.

4. Avoid making the Shehecheyanu berakha, which is said on newly purchased clothing, fruits eaten in season for the first time this year, and other occasional joyful events.

A note about Tish`a b'Av:

As we make plans for Eicha reading and Tish`a b'Av services, we are trying to determine whether it is better to hold services in person or over Zoom.  If you are interested in participating in Tish`a b'Av services at Bais Abe, please complete this short survey below.