“Those who mourn for Jerusalem will merit to see the rejoicing of Jerusalem.”
(Ta’anit 30b)
Fast of Tammuz
Sunday 13th July: Fast begins at 1.47am and ends at 10.10pm
There were five calamities that happened to the Jewish people on this day:
- Moshe came down from Har Sinai and, seeing the Golden Calf, he broke the luchot (tablets) on which G-d had written the Ten Commandments
- The Cohanim in the first Temple stopped offering the daily sacrifice due to the shortage of sheep during the siege of Jerusalem
- The walls of Jerusalem were breached after many months of siege by Nebuchadnezzar and his Babylonian forces. This led to the destruction of the first Temple. Titus and the Romans breached the walls of Jerusalem which preceded the destruction of the second Temple
- A Roman officer called Apostomos publicly burned a Sefer Torah
- King Menashe, one of the worst of the Jewish kings, had an idol placed in the Temple
This day continued to be synonymous with misfortune for the Jewish people.
- More than 4,000 Jews were killed in Toledo and Jaen, Spain in 1391
- The Jewish Quarter of Prague was burned and looted in 1559
- The Kovno ghetto was liquidated in 1944
- Libya ordered the confiscation of Jewish property in 1970
Those who are generally healthy should ensure to drink plenty of fluids in the days before the fast and especially the day before the fast.
It is advisable to keep out of the heat as much as possible and to minimise any unnecessary activity on the fast.
If at any point someone feels weak because of the heat, they can break the fast.
The elderly, those who are unwell, those who are pregnant, or nursing mothers are exempt and should not be fasting.
The Three Weeks
Sunday 13th July – Sunday 3rd August
The three-week period from the Fast of Tammuz to Tisha b’Av (9th Av) is the saddest phase in the Jewish calendar. During this time, we observe certain mourning practices which help us to recall several national tragedies and encourage us to mourn over our own spiritual shortcomings which prolong the exile.
As we progress from the moment that the walls of Jerusalem were breached to the date of the destruction of the Temple, we enter into a three-week period of mourning, with customs which help to preserve the spirit of the time:
- Weddings, dancing and listening to music are forbidden
- Haircuts and shaving are forbidden. A child under the age of Bar or Bat Mitzvah can have a haircut if necessary, until the week of Tisha b’Av
- Avoid buying new clothes or eating the first fruit of a new season. This is because they require the blessing, ‘Shehecheyanu’, in which we thank G-d for bringing us to the present day. It is inappropriate to thank G-d for arriving at this sad time
The Nine Days
Sunday 27th July – Sunday 3rd August
As we begin the month of Av and approach the date of the destruction of the Temple, the spirit of mourning that began on the Fast of Tammuz intensifies, and consequently, the laws relating to this time are stricter than before, with additional restrictions:
- Bathing and swimming for pleasure are forbidden. Regular washing is permitted, but not in water which is comfortably warm. However, when washing for Shabbat, hot water may be used. It is also permitted to wash in hot water for medical reasons. A woman may wash in hot water prior to going to the Mikveh
- It is forbidden to launder clothes (except for children’s clothes), even if the intention is to wear the clothes after Tisha b’Av. Avoid buying, making or repairing clothes even if the intention is to wear them only after Tisha b’Av
- Freshly laundered clothes (this rule does not apply to underwear) may only be worn on Shabbat during the Nine Days. These restrictions apply equally to bed linen
- New clothes are not worn during the Nine Days, even on Shabbat
- Cutting nails during the week leading up to Tisha b’Av is not permitted, except in honour of Shabbat. However, a woman may cut her nails prior to going to the Mikveh
- Business transactions, work and legal cases should be deferred until after the Nine Days if it can be done without incurring financial loss
- Meat, including poultry, and wine/grape juice are forbidden during the Nine Days, except for Shabbat or if required on health grounds. When making Havdalah at the conclusion of Shabbat in the presence of a child who understands a little about Judaism (but is unaware of the concept of mourning for Temple), give the Havdalah wine to the child. If no child is present, the person making Havdalah drinks the wine
- Even children who are not old enough to understand the concept of mourning over the Temple should not be given meat or wine during the Nine Days unless their health requires otherwise
Tisha b’Av
Sunday 3rd August
Erev Tisha b’Av – Shabbat 2nd August: Fast begins at 8.47pm, Shabbat ends at 9.44pm
Five calamities happened to the Jewish people on Tisha b’Av:
- G-d decreed that most of the Jewish people would not be allowed into the Land of Israel. (Bamidbar 14:22-35)
- The first Temple was destroyed by the Babylonians
- The second Temple was destroyed by the Romans
- The Jewish metropolis of Betar was ransacked and thousands of its inhabitants were massacred
- The site of the two Temples was ploughed by a Roman general
Tisha B’Av on Sunday
On Shabbat Chazon which is the Shabbat prior to Tisha b’Av:
- After halachic midday on Shabbat, it is preferable to only learn Torah pertaining to Tisha b’Av or the weekly sedrah
- Tzidkatcha and Pirkei Avot are not said at Mincha on Shabbat afternoon
- There is no formal Seudah Hamafseket before the fast
- Seudah Shlishit is eaten as normal but conducted in a relatively sombre mood and not spent with guests. However, meat and wine are permitted
- The fast, despite still being Shabbat, begins at 8.47pm
- Although the meal must be finished by then, Birchat Hamazon can still be said after this time.
- As it is Shabbat, leather shoes are still worn and sitting on regular chairs is permitted until Motzei Shabbat at 9.44pm. At that point, say “Baruch Hamavdil bein kodesh l’chol”, change into non-leather shoes and ideally change into weekday clothing
- If someone forgot to say Havdalah in the Amidah, they do not repeat it but rather say: “Baruch hamavdil bein kodesh l’chol”
- Havdalah is made over a candle only. The two berachot “Borei P’ri Hagafen” and “Hamavdil” are said on Sunday night instead
Restrictions on Tisha b’Av
- Eating and drinking are forbidden
- Washing is forbidden except as necessary to remove tangible dirt such as mud. Washing is permitted in cold water is permitted if someone perspires profusely and experience severe discomfort as a result
- Applying ointments and creams for medical reasons is permitted (e.g. to treat a skin condition) but not for pleasure
- Wearing leather shoes or shoes made of another material which are covered in leather is forbidden. Non-leather footwear is permitted
- Marital intimacy is forbidden
- If at all possible, people should refrain from greeting. If someone is greeted, they should respond in a subdued fashion. Giving presents is forbidden
- So as not to be distracted from mourning, work should not be done nor should someone engage in any protracted activity or commerce. If this will entail severe financial loss, a non-Jew to work can be employed, or work done in a discreet way. If at all possible, even this work should be postponed until after halachic midday
- On the night of Tisha b’Av, it is customary to sleep in a less comfortable way than usual (e.g. if someone normally sleeps on two pillows, they should use just one).
- Sitting on the ground or a low chair (like the ones used in a shiva house) is required during the evening of Tisha b’Av and at least until halachic midday
After Tisha b’Av
The fast ends at 9.36pm
Since the Temple continued burning until the 10th Av, washing, having a haircut, eating meat or drinking wine must wait until halachic midday on the day after Tisha b’Av.
“Rejoice with Jerusalem and be glad with her, all who love her; rejoice for joy with her, all who mourn for her” (Isaiah 66:10)