The Mishnah in Masechet Ta’anit (26b) tells us that on Erev Tisha Be’av during the last meal one eats before the fast, one may not eat meat, drink wine, or eat two cooked foods, such as rice and an egg. Although the letter of the law dictates that the prohibition to eat meat is only during the last meal one eats before the fast of Tisha Be’av, nevertheless, the custom of the Jewish nation is to abstain from eating meat from Rosh Chodesh Av until the Tenth of Av. These customs have already been mentioned by the Geonim and early Poskim and they have already been accepted by the Jewish people. There is no distinction between beef and chicken, and it is prohibited to consume them both. Even a food cooked with meat, for instance a soup cooked with meat, should not be eaten even after the meat has been removed, because of its meat flavor. Fish is not included in this prohibition and is permitted to be eaten.
Eating Meat on Rosh Chodesh and on the Tenth of Av
The Sephardic custom is to permit eating meat on the day of Rosh Chodesh itself, as we have explained in the previous Halacha; Ashkenazim customarily forbid this even on the day of Rosh Chodesh. Regarding this aspect, Sephardim are more lenient than Ashkenazim. On the other hand, regarding eating meat on the tenth of Av, the Sephardic custom is to prohibit eating meat for the entire day of the tenth of Av, whereas the Ashkenazi custom is to permit consumption of meat and wine following Halachic mid-day on the tenth of Av.
However, this year, 5772, when the fast is held on the Tenth of Av in any case since the Ninth of Av coincides with Shabbat and the fast is postponed until Sunday, the Tenth of Av, one may not eat or drink anything until the conclusion of the fast at nightfall. There is therefore no practical application of this Halacha of allowing meat after halachic mid-day on the Tenth of Av this year. Nevertheless, this year, it is permissible to consume meat immediately at the conclusion of the fast on Sunday night. Ashkenazim, on the other hand, customarily prohibit eating meat immediately following the fast and should wait to do so until the next morning. (See Chazon Ovadia-Arba Ta’aniyot, pages 414-415)
The Yemenite Custom Regarding Eating Meat
The custom of our Yemenite brothers was to only abstain from eating meat and drinking wine during the meal immediately preceding the fast of Tisha Be’av; however, they would not abstain from doing so during the other days of the month of Av, in accordance with the letter of the law of the Talmud. Nevertheless, now that they have merited immigrating to Israel where the prevalent custom is to abstain from this during the “Nine Days,” Maran Harav Shlit”a writes that they should accept upon themselves the local custom and they may not act differently. This is especially true since the destruction of the Holy Temple is felt in Israel more than anywhere else, for the location of the destruction is clearly visible for all to see, and it is thus certainly befitting to act stringently in this matter.
Eating Meat on Erev Shabbat “Chazon”
On Shabbat “Chazon,” which is the Shabbat preceding Tisha Be’av, one may be lenient and taste meat dishes to see if the dish requires any improvement (such as more salt and the like). Some say that one may be lenient to taste from such Shabbat dishes even when it is not necessary to do so, for according to the Mekubalim, it is truly important to taste Shabbat dishes. Maran Harav Ovadia Yosef Shlit”a writes that one may be lenient regarding this matter; however, if one acts stringently, he shall be blessed by Heaven.
An Individual who is Weak and Needs to Eat Meat
One who is ill, even with a non-life-threatening illness, may eat meat during these days. Similarly, a woman who is within thirty days of giving birth may eat meat during these days. Furthermore, if a woman is nursing a weak child and abstaining from eating meat could possibly impact the health of the baby, she may eat meat during this time. Similarly, a pregnant woman who suffers very much during her pregnancy may be lenient and eat meat during these days. However, if a healthy individual eats meat at this time when everyone else customarily prohibits it, his sin is too great to bear, he is considered a “fence-breacher” and he will be severely punished.
