The Three Weeks

There are few halakhic differences between Tisha Be-Av and the minor fasts. In general, the fast of Tisha Be-Av is equivalent to the fast of Yom Kippur.

), The prophets instituted four fasts after the destruction of the First Temple, the gravest of which is Tisha Be-Av, the ninth day of the Hebrew month of Av, the day that the Temple was destroyed

The rule is that we do not mourn on Shabbat. Therefore, even if the ninth of Av falls out on Shabbat, we postpone the fast to Sunday. Since there is no mourning on Shabbat, we behave as usual.

The fast begins immediately at the end of Shabbat, making it is impossible to recite havdala over a cup of wine. Therefore, we postpone reciting havdala over a beverage until after Tisha Be-Av ends.

During the se’uda ha-mafseket, one may eat as much raw food that he wants. If one cooks them, however, they are considered cooked dishes, despite the fact that they are edible even when uncooked.

The Talmud relates how R. Yehuda b. R. Ila’i would act at his se’uda ha-mafseket: He would be given dry bread with salt, and in an undignified place – between the furnace and the oven – eat it with a flask of water, as though in the presence of a newly-deceased relative.

What is the se’uda ha-mafseket? It is the last meal before the fast, eaten after midday.

When Tisha Be-Av falls out on Shabbat, the fast is postponed to Sunday. So when is The Week of Tisha Be-Av?

Shabbat Ĥazon is the Shabbat preceding Tisha Be-Av, on which we read the haftara beginning with the words “The vision of Yeshayahu".

Clothes worn by babies who regularly soil their outfits are not included in the prohibition. Likewise, one may wash sheets and blankets of young children who wet themselves at night.