Today, we observe the public fast day of Tisha Be’av.
Greetings on Tisha Be’av
One may not greet others (especially using the word “Shalom”) on Tisha Be’av. If someone received such a greeting, one may respond begrudgingly in order to be polite. (Shulchan Aruch Ch. 554, Sec. 20)
Cooking on Tisha Be’av
It is customary not to bake or cook on Tisha Be'av for after the fast until halachic midday (1:00 pm NY time). (Chazon Ovadia- Arba Ta’aniyot, p. 324)
Playing with a Child on Tisha Be’av
Maran Ha’Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh De’ah, Ch. 391, Sec. 1) rules that a mourner is forbidden to be joyful for seven days and may therefore not hold a baby, lest this cause him to act frivolously. This is based on a Gemara (Baba Kama 26b). Maran zt”l (Chazon Ovadia- ibid., p. 333) rules that the same applies to Tisha Be’av. Nevertheless, it is permissible to lift and hold a crying baby in order to soothe him.
Conclusion of the Fast- Netilat Yadayim
At halachic nightfall of Motza’ei Tisha Be’av which is approximately twenty minutes past sunset, eating and drinking is permissible. Some customarily wash their hands (Netilat Yadayim) as they would every morning, for on the morning of Tisha Be’av, hands are only washed until the knuckles. Thus, some people wash their hands once again at this point. This is indeed a fine custom.
Havdala
This year, 5785, before breaking the fast, one must recite Havdala on a cup of wine, as one would on any Motza’ei Shabbat. However, the blessings on fragrant objects and a candle are omitted.
The Significance of the Tenth of Av
Our Sages taught (Ta’anit 29a) that our enemies entered the Bet Hamikdash on the Seventh of Av and they set the Bet Hamikdash ablaze on the Ninth of Av shortly before sunset; this fire raged on for the entire next day, the Tenth of Av. Rabbi Yochanan said, “If I were in that generation, I would have established the fast on the Tenth of Av, for most of the Bet Hamikdash burned on that day.” The Sages who nevertheless established the fast on the Ninth of Av did so because they were of the opinion that the beginning of the punishment (the Ninth of Av when the Bet Hamikdash began burning) was more severe.
Customs Observed on the Tenth of Av
We have already discussed the Ashkenazi custom of abstaining from eating meat and drinking wine from the day of Rosh Chodesh Av until Tisha Be’av. According to the Sephardic custom, however, it is permissible to eat meat on the day of Rosh Chodesh Av and this only becomes forbidden on the day after, the Second of Av (this year the Second of Av fell out on Shabbat, so the prohibition began from Motza’ei Shabbat, the Third of Av). Thus, in this regard, the Ashkenazi custom is more stringent than the Sephardic one.
On the other hand, there are likewise varying customs regarding the Tenth of Av. While Ashkenazim resume eating meat and drinking wine beginning from halachic midday of the Tenth of Av, Sephardic Jews abstain from eating meat and drinking wine the entire Tenth of Av (until sunset). Thus, regarding the Tenth of Av, the Sephardic custom is more stringent than the Ashkenazi one. Nevertheless, regarding haircuts and laundry, the Ashkenazi custom is more stringent than the Sephardic one, for Sephardic Jews resume shaving and laundering clothing immediately following the fast of Tisha Be’av while Ashkenazim customarily abstain from doing these things until halachic midday of the Tenth of Av.
May Hashem grant us the merit to experience the consolation of Jerusalem through the arrival of our righteous Mashiach, speedily and in our days, Amen.
