Tisha B'Av

These halachot have been compiled by Rabbi Daniel Sherman. If you have any questions, please call the Rabbi at 610-529-3182

EREV TISHA B'AV (MONDAY, JULY 31)

• One should eat throughout the day. However, the final meal before the fast is called the Seudah Hamafseket. and according to the prevalent Ashkenazi custom, the meal consists of only bread, a cold hard boiled egg and water. One should dip the bread in ashes, eat it and say "zehu seudat Tisha B'Av". The meal should be eaten while sitting on the floor or a low stool. The meal should be consumed in such a manner so as to not be obligated in a mezumen, meaning that three men should eat in different locations.

TISHA B'AV (TUESDAY, AUGUST 1)

• A woman who gave birth is exempt from fasting for 30 days after the actual birth.
• Pregnant and nursing mothers who feel weak are exempt from fasting and are not required to eat less than the shiur or to fast part of the time.
• An individual who is not classified as ill but has minor pain, may swallow a Tylenol or Advil pill, etc. If a minimal amount of water is needed, this is permitted.
• It is forbidden to wear shoes or sneakers that contain any leather in their construction.
• It is forbidden to wash any part of one's body, even with cold water. Upon rising in the morning or after using the washroom, or for the purposes of netilat yedayim - one should wash his/her hands three times to the end of the knuckles.
• There is no prohibition to wash any part of the body, even with soap, that becomes soiled with dirt. Similarly, those who are preparing food for after the fast may wash food even if their hands will get wet.
• If one is accustomed to sleep with two pillows, one should only use one pillow.
• Sitting on a chair is permissible after chatzot (midday) on Tuesday, which this year is 1:02pm 
• A woman who recently gave birth, or is pregnant or nursing, and finds it difficult to sit on a low chair, may sit on a regular chair even on the night of Tisha B'Av.
• An older person, one who is not feeling well, or one who has difficulty sitting on a low chair, may sit on a regular chair.
• One does not greet others on Tisha B'Av. One who is greeted by someone, should nod in response or respond softly, thus indicating that regular greetings are not permissible
• Perfumes or colognes are not permissible. Antiperspirants and deodorants are permitted.
• It is not proper for a woman to apply makeup on Tisha B'Av.
• One is permitted to use mouthwash and brush their teeth on Tisha B’Av
• Although housework, e.g. cleaning floors, making beds, washing dishes, etc. should not be done prior to chatzot (midday), it is permissible to do grocery shopping for after the fast, even prior to chatzot.
• One who is accustomed to saying chapters of Tehilim may do so after chatzot (midday). Tehilim for an ill individual may be said at any time throughout the day.

AFTER TISHA B'AV (TUESDAY AUGUST - WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 2)

• It is forbidden to bathe, wash clothing, take a haircut or shave, listen to music, eat meat or drink wine until chatzot (midday) of the Tenth of Av. This year chatzot is at 1:02pm on Wednesday, August 2.