Written by Simcha Stender
Reviewed and Approved by Rabbi Simcha Bunim Cohen Shlita
Shabbos Erev Tishah B’av and Motzei Shabbos
v One may eat or drink extra to prepare for the fast, but it should not be explicitly stated that the intent is for Tishah B’Av. Many poskim permit taking time-release capsules on Shabbos.[1]
v Shalosh seudos should not be eaten with guests. However, those who regularly eat together (e.g., family) may continue to do so and may recite zimun as usual.[2]
v All Tishah B’Av restrictions, aside from overt signs of mourning such as removing leather shoes, begin at shkiyah. After Shabbos (based on one’s zman), one should recite Baruch hamavdil bein kodesh lechol, then change out of Shabbos clothing and remove leather shoes.[3]
v At shalosh seudos, eating and drinking must stop before shkiyah. Mayim acharonim should also be done before shkiyah, though bentching may take place afterward[4]
v Havdalah is postponed until after Tishah B’Av. However, on motzaei Shabbos, the berachah of borei me’orei ha’eish is recited. Ideally, a man should say the berachah for the family before going to shul.[5]
v Cleanup should be delayed until after chatzos. This includes putting away candlesticks, sweeping, or loading the dishwasher. Dishes not needed for the fast should only be washed after chatzos and while wearing gloves. Dishes needed for the fast or the meal following the fast may be washed beforehand, though it is preferable to wait until chatzos. If leaving the mess would cause significant distress, cleanup is permitted.[6]
Achilah, Rechitzah, Sichah
v One who is not fasting or needs to break their fast should consult a rav about how to recite Havdalah.
v Children are not required to fast. However, some have the minhag that children who understand that Tishah B’Av is a day of mourning (around age 9) should at least fast through the night.[7]
v Children should not be given treats or candy on Tishah B’Av.[8]
v Netilas yadayim in the morning and after the bathroom is done only until the bottom knuckles (i.e., the entire finger).[9]
v If one becomes dirty, the affected area may be washed with cold water. A small amount of soap may be used if necessary.[10]
v After using the bathroom, even if the hands did not become dirty, there is still a concern of ruach ra, and one may wash the hands up to the bottom knuckles.[11]
v Brushing teeth or rinsing the mouth (with water or mouthwash) is not permitted. However, in cases of significant discomfort, one may rinse the mouth while leaning the head forward.[12]
v Deodorant usedto remove or prevent bad odor is permitted.[13]
v Makeup and lipstick may not be applied.[14]
Talmud Torah, Leather Shoes
v The issur of learning non Tishah B’Av related Torah includes all forms of learning, whether from a sefer or by listening to a shiur.[15]
v Reciting Tehillim for a choleh is permitted. One who usually says Tehillim daily should try to say it either before or after Tishah B’Av. Some poskim permit women to say Tehillim if the alternative is wasting time.[16]
v The issur of wearing leather applies only to shoes. Leather belts may be worn.
v The prevailing minhag is that even young children below the age of chinuch do not wear leather shoes.
v On the night of Tishah B’Av, mitah echas and negiah (as applies to a niddah) should be avoided.[17]
She’eilas Shalom-Greeting
v There is an issur of she’eilas shalom, greeting others. One should not say “hello,” “good morning,” or other greetings, even when answering the phone. Some poskim allow parting phrases such as “goodbye” or “good night.”[18]
v A slight nod of the head as a form of acknowledgment is permitted.[19]
v If one is greeted by someone unaware of the halachah, a soft verbal response is permitted to avoid embarrassing the greeter.[20]
Miscellaneous
v Tallis and tefillin are not worn during Shacharis and are instead worn at Minchah. The minhag is not to make a berachah on a tallis katan in the morning; it is covered by the berachah made later on the tallis gadol.[21]
v One who needs to smoke or vape may do so privately after chatzos. Some are more stringent with vaping. Nicotine patches and pouches (except Zyn, which releases liquid intended to be swallowed) may be used even before chatzos.[22]
v Certain restrictions remain in place until chatzos on Monday (the 10th of Av): eating meat and wine, bathing, haircuts, washing clothing, and listening to music.[23]
[1]עי’ שש”כ פ’ כח סע’ פה, עי’ שיעורי הלכה פ’ נז אות ד, עי’ שושנת ישראל פ’ טו אות א
[2]מ”ב סי’ תקנב ס”ק כג
[3]רמ”א סי’ תקנג ס”ב ומ”ב, ועי’ בחיי אדם כלל קלו דין א
[4]שושנת ישראל פ’ טו אות ז
[5]עי’ שו”ע תקנו ס”א ומ”ב, ביה”ל סי’ רצו ס”ח ד”ה לא, וע’ אגרות משה חו”מ ח”ב סי’ מז אות ב
[6]עי’ ערוך השלחן סי’ תקנד ס”ט, ועי’ שושנת ישראל פ’ יג אות כח, וע’ מחזה אליהו ח”א סי’ פז
[7]השלש שבועות מהגרש”ב כהן עמ’ קיח, וע’ באר משה ח”ח סי’ צה אות ב
[8]עי’ מ”ב סי’ תקנ ס”ק ה, ועי’ באר משה ח”ח סי’ צה אות ו
[9]שו”ע תקנד ס”י ומ”ב שם
[10]שו”ע סי’ תקנ”ד ס”ט ועי’ בביה”ל ד”ה סיכה
[11]רמ”א סי’ תקנד ס”ט, וסי’ תריג ס”ג ועי’ במ”ב ס”ק ד, אשי ישראל עמ’ תשפט
[12]מ”ב סי’ תקס”ז ס”ק י”א
[13]ביה”ל סי’ תקנד ד”ה סיכה, הליכות שלמה פ’ טו הע’ י
[14]שו”ע יו”ד סי’ שפא ס”ו
[15]שו”ע סי’ תקנד ס”ג ומ”ב
[16]מ”ב סי’ תקנד סק”ז, וע’ שיעורי הלכה פ’ נא אות ג
[17]שו”ע סי’ תקנד סע’ י”ח, מ”ב שם
[18]שו”ע סי’ תקנד ס”כ, מ”ב שם, ועי’ שיעורי הלכה פ’נב אות א
[19]ריטב”א מו”ק כז:
[20]שו”ע סי’ תקנד סע’ כ
[21]שו”ע סי’ תקנה, ועי’ ודברת בם ח”א סי’ קנז
[22]מ”ב סי’ תקנה ס”קח, ועי’ בפסקי תשובות, ועי’ א”א סו”ס תקסז
[23]שו”ע ורמ”א סי’ תקנח, ומ”ב שם
