Thursday 6th July 2023 is the Fast of Tammuz. This is the day on which the walls of Jerusalem were breached prior to the destruction of the Second Temple although there have been many tragedies in our history on this day, from the smashing of the first Tablets by Moses at the foot of Mt Sinai to atrocities in the Holocaust including the liquidation of the Kovno Ghetto.

As this is a summer fast, it is likely to be a hot day. If you plan to fast, please make sure to drink plenty of water in advance and stay cool on the day. If you think you should fast but are concerned about whether it is advisable, make sure to discuss with a medical professional in advance. If you would like halachic guidance on whether to fast, please be in touch with me directly.

If you feel unwell or concerned about dehydration, do not continue fasting.

Here is a short summary of some of the laws of the fast:

• The fast begins at dawn (1:05am) and continues until the end of the day (10:17pm).
• Medications prescribed by a doctor may be taken on this fast day. If swallowing pills without water is difficult, one may drink a small amount of water required to swallow the medicine.
• If a healthy person accidentally ate or drank, the fast should be resumed and completed.
• Selichot are recited at Shacharit and Avinu Malkeinu is said in the morning and afternoon. Mincha in Shul also includes leining.

The Fast of Tammuz also begins a period known as the ‘Three Weeks’. It is a time that we reflect on many communal tragedies throughout our history, most notably, the destruction of the First and Second Temple. Restrictions include:

• Taking haircuts.
• Weddings and parties, except mitzvah celebrations (e.g. Brit, Pidyon HaBen, etc).
• Listening to music or dancing. If music is necessary to lift one’s spirits rather than for entertainment alone, in many cases it is permitted.
• New clothing and fruit (which would necessitate the blessing of “Shehechiyanu”) should not be purchased, worn or eaten.

From Rosh Chodesh Av (19 th July 2023), the mourning intensifies for the ‘Nine Days’ and further restrictions include:

• Shaving (for men). If one is unable to avoid shaving for the full nine-days (e.g. for work), one should avoid shaving on the week in which Tisha B’Av falls, and certainly on Tisha B’Av itself.
• Freshly dry-cleaned or laundered outer clothing (e.g. shirts, suits, etc. as opposed to undergarments) should be avoided on weekdays. Clothes should not be cleaned or laundered during the Nine Days unless there is no other option (e.g. for young children or if one runs out).
• New clothing may not be purchased or worn (even without the blessing of “Shehechiyanu”). If necessary, non-leather shoes for Tisha B’Av may be purchased.
• Meat and wine/grape juice may not be eaten/drunk, except on Shabbat (even if you start Shabbat early) or at a Mitzvah celebration (e.g. Brit, Pidyon HaBen, etc.).
• Havdallah after Shabbat should be made on wine or grape juice as usual. If possible a child should drink the grape juice but if not, one can drink it oneself.
• Swimming and bathing for pleasure is restricted. However, it is permitted to wash for cleanliness although one should ideally do so in colder water than usual. Washing in warm water is permitted on Friday in honour of Shabbat.
• Unnecessary, long trips should be avoided during the nine days, though travel for education or business is permitted.

Rabbi Ben Kurzer, June 2023

This year, 9th Av begins on Wednesday evening 25th July at 8:58pm and ends on Thursday 26th July at 9:49pm.

• Prior to the beginning of the fast, many have a small, solitary meal, known as a “seudah hamafseket” (lit. “separation meal”). This usually consists of bread with something simple, such as a boiled egg, and is traditionally eaten on a low chair or sitting on the floor.
• One can drink throughout this meal. One may eat a larger meal prior to this to have strength for the fast.
• Although it is best to daven mincha prior to this meal, those attending a Shul which davens mincha just before the fast begins may complete this meal before mincha instead.
• In Shul we read eicha and say kinnot together following maariv. Both of these can be read at home and there are many online programmes to connect with.

Our Sages laid out a few main prohibitions on the day of Tisha B’Av itself, including:

• Eating and drinking. One who is fully healthy should not eat throughout the fast. One who is unwell, frail, or with a specific at-risk medical condition may be required to eat. As this is a summer fast, it is likely to be a hot day. If you plan to fast, please make sure to drink plenty of water in advance and stay cool on the day. If you think you should fast but are concerned about whether it is advisable, make sure to discuss with a medical professional in advance. If you would like halachic guidance on whether to fast, please be in touch with me directly. If you feel unwell or concerned about dehydration, do not continue fasting.
• One should not wash or bathe other than for hygiene or halachic ritual. Washing “al netilat yadayim” in the morning is restricted to the fingers up to the knuckles. After using the bathroom one should wash as necessary for hygiene but no more. Washing parts of oneself to clean specific dirt is permitted.
• Cosmetics should not be used on Tisha B’Av, however, they can be applied before the fast begins even though they may last through the day. Deodorant may be used but aftershave or perfume should not be.
• Shoes made of leather should not be worn.
• Learning Torah is restricted to topics of Tisha B’Av, mourning, biblical prophecies regarding the Temple’s destruction and other similar topics. This prohibition begins from the afternoon prior to when the fast begins.
• We sit on or close to the floor (e.g. on a shiva chair) from the eve of Tisha B’Av until halachic midday (1:07pm) on Tisha B’Av day. Those with back problems or similar should sit on a regular chair.
• We do not exchange greetings or make social conversation on Tisha B’Av, as we join together in silent mourning for the destruction of the two Temples and many subsequent tragedies. If one is greeted, one may respond in a soft voice so as not to embarrass or offend the other person. These restrictions apply to virtual communications as well.
• Tallit and Tefillin are not worn on Tisha B’Av morning (Tzitzit should be worn without a blessing). Tallit and Tefillin are put on at Mincha, with the brachot (blessings).
• After the fast the limitations of the Three Weeks and Nine Days, including music, laundry, haircuts, drinking wine and eating of meat, continue until midday the following day.

“כל המתאבל על ירושלים זוכה ורואה בשמחתה”

One who mourns for Jerusalem, will merit to see to its rejoicing May it come speedily, in our days.