9-days-halacha

לכבודכם היקרים לאי"ט,

As we continue to mourn the חורבן בית המקדש with the onset of the “nine days”, it is a time to sharpen our focus and internalize the gravity of this tragedy, and the havoc that being in גלות continues to wreak on our lives.כלל ישראל  has adopted numerous practices during these days to assist us in achieving a sincere state of mourning culminating with תשעה באב.  I pray that our observance of these halachos will heighten our sensitivity to the tremendous void in our lives that theחורבן  has created, and that our mourning this one last time will finally fulfill Chazal’s dictum,  .כל המתאבל על ירושלים זוכה ורואה בשמחתה  Please feel free to call me with any questions at (718) 327-7545 ext. 9 or my cell phone (201-707-4514).

המצפה לראות ירושלים בתפארתה,

Rabbi Motti Neuburger

NINE DAYS

1. Haircuts and shaving is forbidden throughout the entirety of the “three weeks.”  A person who usually shaves daily and is required to do so for reasons of financial loss, should nevertheless refrain during the week of תשעה באב .
2. Cutting nails is permissible until the week of .תשעה באב
3. One should avoid lawsuits during the Nine Days.
4. Objects of simchah should not be purchased during the Nine Days, unless the price will increase.
5. Construction or any form of home decorating must be suspended during the Nine Days.
6. Flowers or plants should not be planted during the Nine Days.
7. One may not eat meat or drink wine during the Nine Days unless it is in the context of a סעודת מצוה.
8. One may not do laundry or send items to the cleaners during the Nine Days, even if it will not be worn until after .תשעה באב
9. One may wash children’s clothing during the Nine Days.
10. One may not wear freshly laundered clothing during the Nine Days.  Clothing worn directly on the body to absorb perspiration may be changed.
11. One should not use freshly laundered linen, towels, or tablecloths during the Nine Days.
12. On Shabbos, one may wear freshly laundered clothing.
13. One may not wear or purchase new garments during the Nine Days, even if no  שהחיינו will be recited.
14. Bathing, washing, and swimming are prohibited during the Nine Days.  One may wash or bathe to remove dirt or perspiration.
15. Bathing on erev shabbos is permissible.

EREV TISHA B’AV

1. No תחנון is recited.
2. The סעודה המפסקת, consisting of bread, a hard-boiled egg, and water, should be eaten individually while sitting on the ground. Before bentching one should have in mind not to accept the fast until sunset.

TISHA B’AV

1. It is prohibited to eat or drink after sunset (8:13 P.M.) Wednesday evening.  Those who are concerned about the fast should please contact me to discuss further. 
2. Rinsing one’s mouth with mouthwash or toothpaste is prohibited.
3. Swallowing tasteless medication without water is permissible.
4. All bathing or washing for pleasure is prohibited even in cold water. (In light of the current circumstances one who wishes to wash their hands with anti-bacterial soap or purell may do so.)
5. A person should deprive himself of some comfort when going to sleep.
6. Upon awakening in the morning one’s hands may be washed (three times alternately on each hand) until the joints at the end of the fingers, and then passed over the eyes.
7. Similarly, after using the bathroom, one may wash until the joints at the end of the fingers.
8. Anointing oneself for pleasure is prohibited.  While it is forbidden to apply perfume or ointment, the use of deodorant or anti-perspirant to remove a bad odor, is permitted.
9. It is forbidden to wear shoes which contain leather.
10. Torah learning must be limited to subjects relevant to the nature of the day.
11. Greeting others, giving gifts, and inquiring after one’s well-being is prohibited.
12. One should refrain from any activity (i.e. taking a walk) which provides pleasure.
13. One must refrain from sitting on a chair which is higher than three tefachim off the ground (approximately 12 inches) until chatzos (1:01 P.M.) Thursday afternoon. 
14. One should refrain from any activity which may divert his attention from the mourning.  Activities which must be done should be postponed until after chatzos.
15. One who must work on Tisha B’av should only do so after chatzos.  In the event that this will cause financial loss please contact me to discuss further. 

DAVENING ON TISHA B’AV

1. After the ma’ariv shmoneh esrei, Megillas Eicha is recited without a beracha.
2. The reading of Eicha does not require a minyan.
3. After Eicha, the appropriate kinnos are recited followed by v’atah kadosh.
4. Tallis and Tefillin are to be worn during mincha and not during shacharis.
5. The beracha of she’asa li kol tzarchi is recited.
6. The Parshas Hatamid, Eizehu Mikoman, and Rabi Yishmoel are recited while the rest of the korbanos are omitted.
7. Avinu Malkeinu is not recited.
8. After Krias Hatorah, kinnos should be recited until shortly before chatzos.
9. After kinnos, ashrei is recited followed by u’va litzion.  The passuk “v’ani zos brisi” is not recited.  Lamnatzeiach is omitted. 
10. Both the shir shel yom and pittum haketores are omitted.
11. Many have the custom to visit a cemetery on Tisha B’av after the recitation of kinnos.
12. The shir shel yom should be recited before mincha.
13. During mincha both nachem and aneinu are recited.

TENTH OF AV

1. One should not eat meat or drink wine until chatzos (1:01).
2. One may get a haircut and do laundry immediately after tisha b’av in preparation for shabbos.
3. Bathing should be postponed until Friday morning.
4. Music and swimming should be postponed until after chatzos on Friday.