In honor of Tisha B’Av, Torah-Box presents an halacha panel, amply covering the mourning customs practiced on this day.

The Five Mortifications

On the evening of the 9th of Av and the following day, it is strictly forbidden to eat, drink, wash, apply any type of lotion on one’s skin, wear leather shoes, or have intimate relations. The aforesaid restrictions apply to men and women alike.

Washing and Showering

It is forbidden to wash in either hot or cold water; the prohibition applies even to a tiny part of the body, including fingers. Nevertheless, this prohibition includes only "pleasurable" washing. You may wash your hands if they have been soiled, or wash blood emanating from a wound.

Hand Washing in the Morning

When waking up in the early morning, it is permissible to wash one's hands to the ends of the joints, doing three ablutions on each hand in an evenly distributed way (by pouring the water once on the right hand, then on the left hand, three times consecutively). Do not omit reciting the customary blessing.

Washing the Face in the Morning

You are not allowed to wash your face on the 9^th of Av. However, if mucus or crusts have deposited around your eyes, causing inconvenience, you can rinse the soiled area with water. In some cases, where people find lack of hygiene intolerable, some poskim authorize washing their face. Ashkenazim are more rigorous about this custom on Yom Kippur, however, they adopt a more lenient attitude on the 9^th of Av.

A Bride's Face Washing Routine

A bride may wash her face upon rising on the 30 days following her wedding, so as not to repel her husband. Thus, if the wedding took place from or after the 9^th of Tammuz, she will be authorized to wash her face on the 9^th of Av.

Asher Yatzar Blessing

After relieving oneself, it is necessary to proceed to the ablution of the hands, up to the joints of the fingers and recite the blessing of asher yatzar. If the hands or any other body part have been soiled, you may wash these areas specifically. If, in times of dire need, the use of water is indispensable, it obviously may be used.

The Ablution of the Hands Preceding the Priestly Blessing

A Cohen, who is designated to bless the congregation, washes his hands in the same fashion as he does during the year.

Ablution of the Hands Before the Meal

A sick person who needs to consume bread on the 9^th of Av should wash his hands as prescribed, up to the level of the joints, according to mourning customs.

The Ritual Bath

It is strictly forbidden to immerse in a mikvah on the evening of the 9^th of Av, regardless of whether a person is accustomed to immersing daily all year round. Thus, a woman whose date of ritual immersion falls on the evening of the 9^th of Av cannot under any circumstance immerse in a mikvah and must postpone her immersion.

Applying Substances to the Skin

It is not allowed to apply any oils, creams or balms, which moisturize the skin; the prohibition applies to any part of the body.

Wearing Leather Shoes

It is forbidden to wear leather shoes or sandals.

On the other hand, it is permissible to wear canvas or rubber shoes, though they are often more comfortable.

Concessions Due to Illness or Childbirth

Wearing leather shoes is permissible if a person is sick. Likewise, a mother who has given birth up to 30 days before Tisha B’Av can wear leather shoes.

The Conjugal Union

Intimate union between a couple is forbidden on the night of the 9^th of Av. However, the laws governing the separation of spouses during the period of the wife's niddah apply only if the wife is in a state of ritual impurity, making her forbidden to her husband.

Sleep

The Shulchan Aruch describes a custom whereas some people lay on the floor to sleep, putting a stone under their head as a pillow.

Moreover, the Rama recounts in his writings that it is appropriate to adopt a more restrictive behavior at bedtime, by modifying certain habits. For example, if a person usually uses two pillows, he or she should settle for a single pillow. Some people place a stone under their pillow to remember the words of the verse concerning our patriarch Yaakov Avinu: " …and he took one of the stones of the place and put it under his head and lay down in that place." Given that Yaakov was animated by the divine spirit, he perceived the future presence (as well as the destruction) of the Beit Hamikdash as confirmed by the verse: "How holy is this place!" Nevertheless, anyone in a state of weakness is exempt from such stringencies. But everyone must try to behave humbly and minimize luxury.

The Mitzvah of Torah study

The obligation to perform the mitzvah of Torah study throughout the year also applies to the 9th of Av (as ruled by the great decision makers of our time, including Chacham Tzvi, Rabbi Chaim Palaji, Sdeh Chemed and many others). However, a person who is truly dedicated to study feels overjoyed by Torah study, as evidenced by the verse: "The precepts of Hashem are full of righteousness and rejoice the heart of man". It is also mentioned in another verse: "Without your Torah, which is my delight". The Ohr HaChaim Hakadosh wrote on this subject: "If men can feel the sweetness and delights of the Torah, they will abandon all pretexts and seek exaltation by pursuing Torah study. The world's riches, such as gold, silver and money will suddenly devalue in their eyes, because the Torah contains all the riches of this world”.

Thus, given that joy and rejoicing are forbidden on the 9th of Av, our Sages restrict the day's study to certain subjects that do not lighten the heart.

Authorized Subjects of Study

It is permissible to study the third chapter of the Mo’ed Katan's tractate, dealing mainly with subjects concerning mourning, the tractate of Guitin (From page 55 to the end of the second page, and page 58 at the end of the first page), dealing mainly with the destruction of Beit Hamikdash. Laws defining the rules of mourning, the comments of our Sages on Job and Megillat Eicha are also allowed. It is also permissible to study the books of Mussar leading to repentance. (Thus, the Meïri statue, Mo'ed Katan, P.21,1)

Writing Torah Insights

Innovative ideas drawn from the study of appropriate Torah subjects related to the 9th of Av may be written down before the fast is over so as not to forget them.

The Study of the Book Chok L'Israël

Instituted by the Arizal as well as the Hida, this daily study is drawn from various compilated volumes, covering all the subjects in the Torah. It represents an invaluable opportunity for spiritual elevation. Nevertheless, because of study restrictions, we will interrupt this study on the day before the 9th of Av and resume it in the late afternoon or early evening, towards the end of the fast.

Reading Psalms

We do not read Tehillim on the 9^th of Av. However, if such reading is intended as a prayer for the healing of the sick, certain decision makers authorize reciting the Psalms.

The Formulation of Greetings

One does not inquire about a friend, nor send greetings on that day; in case a person is not familiar with this rule of conduct, it is possible to insinuate through gestures that the day's circumstances do not encourage for this form of dialogue.

Early Morning or Evening Greetings

It is permissible to express a greeting to wish a friend "hello" or "good evening (As specified in Terumat Hadeshen).

The Realization of Work

Mourning customs forbid carrying out work or other domestic tasks both in the evening, as well as during the morning hours of the 9^th of Av. This prohibition is meant to avoid that man be distracted by thoughts that are not related to mourning. Some Ashkenazi communities follow the custom of performing domestic chores after midday. Nevertheless, Chayei Adam writes that any person animated by the fear of heaven should refrain from exercising any work during the 9^th of Av, so he can be fully conscious that it is a day of mourning. In this regard, the tractate of Ta'anit relates: "Rabbi Akiva teaches that anyone who carries out a job on the 9th of Av will not witness the blessing of his labor." This is valid even in places where the custom allows the realization of work during the day.

Taking a Walk

It is forbidden to take walks on the 9^th of Av, even by oneself. In case this date falls on Shabbat, the restriction still applies. People who go to the Kotel, a vestige of the ruins of our Temple, and happen to meet friends with whom they engage in futile discussions are violating a serious prohibition.

When the Fast Falls on Motzei Shabbat

1.    It is desirable to prepare for the 9^th of Av after Chatzot (middle of the day) by  being rigorous and studying subjects related to the tragedy of having lost our Temple. However, if it is difficult, all Torah subjects may be studied, because Torah Study is a priority.

2.   One may consume meat and drink wine during the third Shabbat meal. Nevertheless, the meal must be completed a few minutes before sunset.

3.   One must try to keep his Shabbat clothes and leather shoes until the appearance of three stars -- to add the holiness of Shabbat and then recite the blessing: "Baruch Hamavdil Ben Kodesh Lechol". Then, one ought to change into previously worn (not freshly laundered) clothes (worn on Friday, for example), and change one's shoes.

4.    The blessing of "Borei Meorei Ha Aish" is recited after the end of Amida, before reading the Megillat Eicha. The blessing is pronounced without the use of wine. Women also recite this blessing. After the end of the 9th of Av fast (Sunday evening), the blessings on the wine 'Boreh Pri Haguefen' and '' Hamavdil '' are recited.

5.   Sephardic communities allow the consumption of meat and wine, as soon as the fast is over. But Ashkenazi communities rigorously follow the custom of abstaining. Nevertheless, the next day, in this case, Monday morning, no restrictions apply. Everyone if he/she so wishes may to cut their hair, wash their clothes and shower after the fast.

Wishing an easy fast to all