Posted on by Rabbi Yaakov Rich

Tisha B’Av 2024/5784 Schedule & Observances

Monday, August 12, 2024

  • Mincah: 6:00 PM
  • Seudas HaMafsekes (bread with an egg dipped in ash & water) at home on the floor (we do not sit together nor bentch with a mezuman, i.e. three men together)
  • Fast Begins: 8:15 PM
  • Maariv / Reading of Eichah (Lamentations) / Reading of Kinnos with explanations: 8:55 PM

Tuesday, August 13, 2024

  • Shacharis / Reading of Kinnos with explanations (Tallis and Tefillin are not worn): 8:00 AM
  • Chatzos (Midday): 1:32 PM
  • Mincha (Tallis and Tefillin are worn): 7:45 PM
  • Shiur (Class)
  • Maariv: 8:40 PM
  • Fast Ends: 8:53 PM
  • Kiddush Levana following break-fast

Observances

Eating and Drinking

  • All eating and drinking is forbidden. This includes rinsing the mouth and brushing teeth, except in case of great distress.
  • Swallowing capsules or bitter tablets or liquid medicine without water is permitted.
  • The ill or elderly as well as pregnant and nursing women should speak with Rabbi Rich concerning the requirements of fasting. A woman within thirty days of giving birth should not fast.
  • Boys under thirteen years old and girls under twelve years old are not allowed to fast even part of the day.
  • Those not required to fast should eat only what is needed to preserve their health.

Bathing and Washing

  • All bathing for pleasure is prohibited even in cold water including the hands, face and feet. Ritual washing upon waking, after using the bathroom, touching covered parts of the body or before praying is permitted, but only up to the knuckles. One may wash dirty or sullied portions of the body (including cleaning the eyes of glutinous material), and if necessary may use soap or warm water to remove the dirt or odor. Washing for cooking or for medical reasons is permitted. A woman may not immerse on Tisha B’Av since relations are prohibited. Washing to commence the clean days is permitted.

Anointing

  • Anointing for pleasure is prohibited including oil, soap, alcohol, cream, ointment, perfume, etc.
  • Anointing for medical reasons is permitted, as well as using deodorant to remove bad odor.

Marital Relations

  • Since cohabitation is prohibited, a husband and wife should not come in contact during the night of Tisha B’Av.

Wearing Leather Shoes

  • Even shoes made partially of leather are prohibited.
  • Shoes made of cloth, rubber or plastic are permitted.
  • Wearing leather shoes is permitted for medical reasons.

Learning Torah

  • Since the heart rejoices in the study of the Torah, it is prohibited to learn topics other than those relevant to Tisha B’Av or mourning.
  • One may learn Lamentations with its midrash and commentaries, portions of the Prophets that deal with tragedy or destruction, the third chapter of Moed Katan (which deals with mourning), the story of the destruction (in Gittin 56b-58a, Sanhedrin 104, and in Josephus), and the halachos of Tisha B’Av and mourning.

Additional Restrictions

  • One should deprive himself of some comfort in sleep. Some reduce the number of pillows, and some sleep on the floor.
  • Pregnant women, the elderly, and the ill are exempt. Sitting on a normal chair is forbidden until midday.
  • One may sit on a low bench or chair, or on a cushion on the floor.
  • Greeting someone with “good morning” and the like is prohibited. One who is greeted should answer softly and, if possible, inform the person of the prohibition.
  • One should not give a gift except to the needy.
  • Things that divert one from mourning such as idle talk, reading the newspaper, taking a walk for pleasure, etc. are prohibited.
  • Smoking is prohibited until the afternoon, and only for one compelled to and in private.
  • The custom is to refrain until midday from any time-consuming work that diverts one from mourning. In case of financial loss, consult the rabbi.

Prayer

  • Ashkenazim do not wear tefillin at Shacharis, nor is a blessing made on tzitzis. At Mincha, tefillin is worn and those who wear a tallis gadol make the blessing then.
  • At Mincha, the prayers Nacheim and Aneinu are added to the Shmonah Esrei during the blessing “Veliyerushalayim” and “Shema Koleinu” respectively. “Sim Shalom” is said in place of “Shalom Rav.” If one forgot them and completed that bracha, he need not repeat the prayer.
  • The custom is to sanctify the new moon the night after Tisha B’Av, preferably after having eaten something.

The following is a list of the activities that remain forbidden until chatzos (1:32 PM) on the 10th of Av (Wednesday) with possible exceptions:

  1. Eating meat and drinking wine (Food cooked with meat is permissible).
  2. Bathing and showering (Washing parts of the body with warm water is permissible)
  3. Haircuts and shaving
  4. Washing clothes (If one will be leaving home on the 10th of Av for an extended trip, he may do laundry right after Tisha B’Av at night)
  5. Listening to music
  6. Wearing freshly laundered clothing
  7. Saying the beracha of “She’hechiyanu”

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