58 Lessons
21. Minors
Chapter 10: The Laws of Tisha Be-Av
It is a mitzva to educate our children to observe the mitzvot relating to Tisha Be-Av and mourning over the destruction of the Temple, just as we teach them about all other mitzvot.
Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Cheshvan 27 5782
20. When Tisha Be-Av Falls Out on Shabbat and is Postponed
Chapter 10: The Laws of Tisha Be-Av
When the ninth of Av falls out on Shabbat, the fast is postponed to Sunday. On that Shabbat, we show no signs of mourning.
Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Cheshvan 27 5782
18. Torah Verses in the Prayers and in the Berakha of She-asa Li Kol Tzorki
Chapter 10: The Laws of Tisha Be-Av
Most of the passages recited in the Korbanot section were included in the regular prayer service. On Tisha Be-Av, when one may not study Torah, the question arises: May one recite these passages?
Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Cheshvan 27 5782
19. The Laws of the Tenth of Av
Chapter 10: The Laws of Tisha Be-Av
The Babylonians conquered the Temple on the seventh of Av and set it ablaze toward evening on the ninth of the month, and it continued burning throughout the tenth. The Jewish people refrained from eating meat and drinking wine on that date.
Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Cheshvan 27 5782
17. Removing the Curtain from the Ark; Talit and Tefilin
Chapter 10: The Laws of Tisha Be-Av
We remove the curtain from the synagogue’s ark prior to Ma’ariv. Many have a custom not to wear a talit or tefilin at Shaĥarit.
Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Cheshvan 24 5782
14. Working
Chapter 10: The Laws of Tisha Be-Av
The Sages state: “Anyone who works on Tisha Be-Av will never see any sign of blessing from it”.
Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Cheshvan 24 5782
16. Aneinu, Nahem, Birkat Kohanim, and Tahanun
Chapter 10: The Laws of Tisha Be-Av
The laws of reciting Aneinu on Tisha Be-Av are the same as on the other fast days. The Sages instituted that one should add the Naĥem prayer to the berakha of Boneh Yerushalayim in the Amida whenever Aneinu is recited.
Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Cheshvan 24 5782
15. Reading Eikha and Dimming the Lights
Chapter 10: The Laws of Tisha Be-Av
We read Eikha after praying Ma’ariv. It is customary to darken the synagogue on the night of Tisha Be-Av. Many people have a custom to read it again during the day, after reciting the Kinot.
Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Cheshvan 24 5782
12. Going on Trips and Visiting the Western Wall
Chapter 10: The Laws of Tisha Be-Av
It is clear that one should not refrain from going to the Kotel (the Western Wall) out of concern that he might meet friends there and become happy.
Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Cheshvan 24 5782
13. Sitting and Lying on the Ground
Chapter 10: The Laws of Tisha Be-Av
Technically, there is no obligation to sleep or lie on the ground on Tisha Be-Av. Some people sleep on the ground on Tisha Be-Av; others sleep without a pillow. It is customary to sit on the ground like mourners on Tisha Be-Av.
Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Cheshvan 24 5782
11. Greeting One Another
Chapter 10: The Laws of Tisha Be-Av
Just as mourners may not greet others, so too, one may not greet others on Tisha Be-Av.
Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Cheshvan 24 5782
10. Torah Study
Chapter 10: The Laws of Tisha Be-Av
Just as a mourner may not study Torah during the shiva period, one may not study Torah on Tisha Be-Av, so that one’s attention is not diverted from the mourning.
Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Cheshvan 24 5782
9. Sexual Relations
Chapter 10: The Laws of Tisha Be-Av
The fifth way in which we afflict ourselves on Tisha Be-Av is by abstaining from sexual relations.
Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Cheshvan 21 5782
8. Wearing Shoes
Chapter 10: The Laws of Tisha Be-Av
One may not wear high-quality shoes on Tisha Be-Av. There is a dispute among the poskim about the status of non-leather shoes.
Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Cheshvan 21 5782
7. Anointing Oneself, Fragrances, and Smoking
Chapter 10: The Laws of Tisha Be-Av
One may not apply oil or ointment on Tisha Be-Av even to a small area of the body. One may not smell perfumes or other fragrances on Tisha Be-Av.
Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Cheshvan 21 5782
6. Washing for the Sake of a Mitzva
Chapter 10: The Laws of Tisha Be-Av
One may wash one’s hands for the sake of a mitzva because such washing is not for the purpose of gaining pleasure.
Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Cheshvan 21 5782
4. Pregnant and Nursing Women
Chapter 10: The Laws of Tisha Be-Av
sick people are exempt from fasting on Tisha Be-Av, while pregnant and nursing women – despite the aches and pains that they experience – are not considered sick.
Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Cheshvan 21 5782
5. Washing
Chapter 10: The Laws of Tisha Be-Av
Any form of pleasurable washing is prohibited on Tisha Be-Av, whether the water is hot or cold. One may not even wash a small part of his body.
Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Cheshvan 21 5782
3. The Prohibition of Eating and the Status of Sick People and Postpartum Women
Chapter 10: The Laws of Tisha Be-Av
Sick people are exempt from fasting on Tisha Be-Av. A woman within thirty days of childbirth is considered sick.Those who are exempt from fasting should take care to eat only simple foods that they need for their health.
Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Cheshvan 21 5782