The Three Weeks

The Sages instituted prohibitions against cutting one’s hair and washing one’s clothes during the week of Tisha Be-Av.

It is customary in most Jewish communities that no weddings are held during the Three Weeks. Until the first of Av, one may hold a modest, small-scale engagement party.

One who is presented the opportunity to perform a mitzva that requires one to recite She-heĥeyanu.According to most poskim, one may recite She-heĥeyanu on the Shabbatot of the Three Weeks.

Some of the greatest Rishonim would refrain from eating a new fruit or buying a new garment during the Three Weeks, in order to avoid reciting She-heĥeyanu.

Some maintain that one must refrain from hiking and swimming or bathing in the sea or a swimming pool during the Three Weeks.

It seems that in practice, according to the lenient view, we should divide all songs into three categories. From the beginning of the Three Weeks, one should refrain from listening to the first category of music. Starting from the first of Av, one should refrain from listening to the middle category as well

Some authorities maintain that just as one may not listen to live music during the Three Weeks, However, some permit listening to music on electronic devices.

One may sing happy songs at a se’udat mitzva, like the meal at a brit mila, pidyon ha-ben, or sheva berakhot.

The Aĥaronim write that it is forbidden to hold dances from 17 Tamuz through 9 Av. This prohibition includes playing and listening to instrumental music.

The Three Weeks, which begin on the night of Shiv’a Asar Be-Tamuz and continue through Tisha Be-Av, are a painful time.