Dear Chaverim,
Tisha B’Av (the 9th day of the Hebrew month of Av) is the saddest day of the Jewish Calendar. Many tragedies befell our Nation on this day. Beginning with the sin of the Spies in the desert, the destruction of both the first and second Temples, the fall of Beitar and terrible violence following the Bar Kochba rebellion, as well as the expulsion of the Jews from Spain in 1492 and the opening of Treblinka extermination camp in 1942.
Furthermore, Tisha B’av has become a day to mourn many other tragedies in our history, including the slaughter of Jews during the Crusades, the burning of the Talmud in Paris in 1242, the fall of the Mishkan at Shiloh (see I Samuel Ch. 4), and most recently, the Shoah. As such there are many mourning practices that are observed on this day and the days leading up to the 9th of Av.
The Month of Av
Traditionally, we observe some customs of mourning beginning from Rosh Chodesh Av, this year the customs should be observed from Nightfall on Tuesday July 14th .
- We abstain from eating meat/chicken and drinking wine (and grape juice) except for on Shabbat.
- Unless it is necessary for our profession, men abstain from shaving.
- We do not purchase or wear new clothes.
- We do not celebrate weddings or lifecycle events except for a Bris on the eighth day.
- We do not listen to music
- We refrain from new luxury products or starting new building projects.
- We do not swim or bathe for pleasure, and shower colder than we usually would.
- We generally refrain from laundering clothes except as minimally necessary.
On Shabbat
The Shabbat before Tisha B’av is called Shabbat Chazon. We do not observe public aspects of mourning on Shabbat.
- We wear our normal Shabbat garments, we have meat and wine, and even sing the regular Shabbat songs.
- We read a special Haftarah which is taken from the prophecy of the impending doom of the destruction of Jerusalem.
- Havdalah should be made with coffee or beer. The Blessing of ‘Borei Peri Hagefen’ should be replaced with the ‘Shehakol’ Blessing.
Before the Fast
The fast of Tisha B’av is considered as weighty and important as Yom Kippur. Even Pregnant and nursing women are required to at least try to fast. Anyone with a medical condition which might make fasting dangerous should consult their doctor. If your doctor instructs you not to fast you are excused from fasting.
- It is wise to begin hydrating yourself several days in advance
- The final meal before the 9 of Av begins should be a full meal with washing over bread.
- It is customary to conclude the pre-fast meal with a hard-boiled egg dipped in ashes.
- The meal should conclude before sunset (in Vancouver the fast begins at 9:05 PM).
During the Fast
- The Five afflictions or Inuyim
Once the fast begins, there are five categories of prohibited pleasures.
- Eating and drinking is prohibited from sundown to stars-out. One who is ill, pregnant or nursing should consult their Rabbi and doctor to determine if fasting is required or for an appropriate contingency plan.
- Bathing is prohibited except in cases of obvious and obstructive dirt. Netilat Yadayim (ritual handwashing) and all other handwashing may be done by pouring water up to the knuckles. Washing the face, or other parts of the body is prohibited.
- Wearing leather shoes is prohibited. In cases where one might be exposed to danger and protective footwear is required, a Rabbi should be consulted.
- Marital relations are prohibited. On Tisha B’av night Harchakot should be observed. Speak to your Rabbi or Mikveh teacher for more information.
- The use of creams, oils and perfumes is prohibited. Deodorant may be used. One who has a dermatological issue should consult with a Rabbi.
- Other Prohibitions
- We also refrain from extending greetings on the 9 of Av. This accentuates our feelings of loneliness and mourning.
- The study of Torah is considered extremely joyous, thus on the 9 of Av one should only study Tisha B’av related material, including descriptions of the tragedies in the Bible, Talmud and Josephus, the Book of Job and as well the laws of mourning.
- Sitting on a chair; just as mourners don’t sit on a regular chair during the Shiva, on Tisha B’av one should avoid sitting on a chair until Chatzot (halachic midday) which is 1:19pm this year.
- Prayers
- At night we read the book of Eicha (Lamentations) in its unique tune.
- The Parochet (curtain) is removed from the Ark and the lights are dimmed.
- In the morning, we read Kinot (poems) that recount the tragedies of the day.
- We do not wear Talit and Tefilin until after midday. One should repeat the Shema whilst wearing Tefilin.
- After the fast
- The Fast ends Thursday July 23 at 9:48 PM.
- Since the Bet Hamikdash (Temple) continued burning on the 10th of Av, we still have some restrictions on the day after Tisha B’av. We do not eat meat or drink wine until Friday July 24th 1:19pm.
- This year since the
- 10th of Av is on Friday one may shave and do laundry from Friday morning as this is Lichvod Shabbat (for the honor of Shabbat).
Tisha B’Av Schedule
Wednesday Night, July 22
8:45 pm – Mincha | Main Sanctuary
9:07 pm – Fast Begins
9:10 pm – Maariv and Eicha | Main Sanctuary
Thursday, July 23
8:30 am – Shacharit, followed by Explanatory Kinot | Chapel/Beit Midrash
1:18 pm – Chatzot Hayom (Halachic Mid-day)
6:00 pm – Movie and Discussion | Chapel/Beit Midrash
8:40 pm – Mincha | Chapel/Beit Midrash
9:00 pm – Class with Rabbi Berger Chapel/Beit Midrash
9:35 pm – Maariv Chapel/Beit Midrash
9:48 pm – Fast Ends
