The Three Weeks

Even though the Sages prohibited bathing on Tisha Be-Av only, the Rishonim were stringent and would refrain from bathing on the days preceding Tisha Be-Av as well.

The Sages prohibited laundering clothes during the week in which Tisha Be-Av falls. This is an expression of mourning.

A Jewish contractor and Jewish workers may continue building residential homes during the Nine Days in order to sell them, because the units are designed as living quarters and not as luxury homes.

We curtail joyous business transactions during the Nine Days. That is to say, one may not buy luxury items like jewelry, clothing, fancy appliances, new furniture, or a car for personal use.

Since we curtail our joy from the beginning of Av, one may not build anything that brings joy during the Nine Days.

We eat meat and drink wine on Shabbat Ĥazon, as we do on every other Shabbat of the year.

The prohibition on eating meat includes all types of meat. One who is even slightly ill may eat meat and drink wine, if it helps him.

The Rishonim had a custom to refrain from eating meat and drinking wine during the period of mourning over the destruction of the Temple.

The Sages state in the Mishna (Ta’anit 26b), “When Av arrives, we curtail our joy,” because this is a period of mourning over the Temple’s destruction. Therefore, one should not engage in joyous activities.

Ashkenazim and some Sephardim is to refrain from cutting one’s hair during the entirety of the Three Weeks. Regarding shaving one’s beard, however, a question arises.