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Copyright © 2017 Sarah Chana Radcliffe,

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Copyright © 2017 Sarah Chana Radcliffe

by Rabbi Yossi Michalowicz

1. Mincha is said earlier than usual, in order to have time to eat the “Seudas
Hamafsekes.” We will be davening Mincha on Monday, July 31st at 6:30 P.M.
2. No Tachanun is said at Mincha.
3. The final meal before Tisha B’av is called the “Seudah Hamafsekes” and has
special requirements. This meal must be eaten after noon with the intention of not
eating anything thereafter
4. The Seudah Hamafsekes may be preceded by a regular meal. However, one
should not fill himself at this meal, in order to allow room for the Seudas
Hamafsekes. One should take at least a 20-30 minute break between the regular
meal and the Seudas Hamafsekes.
5. The custom is to eat the Seudas Hamafsekes while seated on the ground. If one is
weak, he may sit on a pillow. There is no requirement to remove one’s shoes for
this meal – since mourning does not begin until evening.
6. The custom is for the Seudas Hamafsekes to consist only of bread, cold hardboiled
eggs, and water. A portion of the bread should be dipped in ashes and
eaten. One should say: “This is the Tisha B’av meal.”
7. Everyone says the Birchas Hamazon by themselves, when this meal is concluded.
Three adult males should avoid eating this meal together in order not to be required
to recite the Grace after meals as a “Mezumin” [invitation to bentch].
8. Since mourning does not begin until the evening, one may sit on a chair until
sunset.
9. One may eat and drink after this meal until sunset, unless you expressly decided,
verbally or mentally, not to eat any more on that day, or said that you are accepting
the fast. If one plans on eating or drinking after this meal, it is preferable to either
verbally or mentally express that you are not accepting the fast until sunset.
Tisha B’av Evening:
10. All the prohibitions of Tisha B’av begin just prior to sunset. Sunset is at 8:41 P.M.
this year [2017].
11. One is permitted to drive to Shul and sit normally in the car.
12. On Tisha B’av it is prohibited to:
▪ Eat or drink
▪ Bathe or wash for pleasure
▪ Anoint oneself
▪ Have intimate relations
▪ Wear leather shoes
▪ Learn Torah [except for those portions which sadden the heart.]
13. You should deprive yourself somewhat from a comfortable sleep - i.e. to sleep with
no pillows or one pillow less than usual. You may use a c-pap machine when
sleeping.

1. The Talmud teaches us “When the Jewish month of Av enters, we decrease our happiness.
2. The Jewish month of Av begins Sunday night, July 23rd at sunset. This begins a more intense period of national
mourning, which concludes the day after Tisha B’av, which is the day after Tuesday, August 1st.
3. All the restrictions that began at the beginning of the Three Weeks are still in force, but they are now intensified.
4. The Talmud explains that one decreases happiness by:
▪ Decreasing one’s business activities
▪ Refraining from construction and planting intended for joyous reasons.
▪ Not conducting weddings or making a festive meal to celebrate an engagement.
5. Any construction not necessary for one’s dwelling but performed for expansion is prohibited. Similarly,
any improvement to the appearance of a house such as painting, hanging new drapes, wall papering and
all house decorating can not be done during the Nine Days.
6. Certain types of expansion building would be permitted if it were for necessary living space to accommodate more
people living in the home. Consult your local Rabbi in this issue.
7. If you hired a non-Jewish contractor to build an addition, and the contractor wants to work during the Nine Days, the
Jew is not required to prevent him from doing so. Preferably, one should offer the contractor some financial
compensation to refrain from working during the Nine days, but one is not required to offer a significant amount of
money to get him to wait until after Tisha B’av.
8. It is permitted to weed, water, or mow the lawn during the Nine Days, since these activities are not for enhancement. It
is also permitted to plant and maintain a vegetable garden during the Nine Days.
9. One may not wear new clothes during the Nine Days, nor may one tailor or purchase new clothes or shoes.
10. One who does not have appropriate shoes to wear on Tisha B’av may buy them during the Nine Days.
11. Similarly, it is prohibited to dry-clean clothes or iron them.
12. We refrain from changing tablecloths, towels, and bed linens during the Nine Days, unless it is absolutely necessary.
13. It is permitted to repair shoes and clothes during the Nine Days.
14. We refrain from doing laundry and wearing freshly laundered clothing during the Nine Days.
15. Therefore, one should prepare before Sunday night, July 23rd at sunset sufficient clothing already worn since it was
last laundered. This is ideally accomplished by putting on and wearing a garment for at least a short while [1/2 hr.]
Towels should also be used at least once before the Nine Days begin in order to be able to use them.
16. If one’s clothing becomes sweaty or soiled during the Nine Days, one is permitted to change into clean clothes.
17. It is permitted to launder children’s clothes and linens during the Nine Days.
18. It is permitted to spot-clean a garment if one is concerned that the stain will set. Furthermore, it is permitted to soak a
garment that is dirty without completing its laundering in order to make it easier to clean after Tisha B’av.
19. We do not bathe or go swimming for pleasure during the Nine Days, but bathing for hygienic and health purposes is
permitted. One may go to the Mikveh. Washing only one’s face, hands, or feet with cold water is permissible at all
times.
20. We do not eat meat or drink wine or grape juice during the Nine days. A sick person may eat meat, under doctor’s
orders. It is permitted to eat meat or drink wine for all Shabbos meals or at a Mitzva meal [such as a Bris or Siyum,
etc.].
21. One may not eat fleishig [meat] leftovers from Shabbat meals or of a Mitzva meal during the remaining Nine Days. One
may not eat meat for Melava Malka.
22. It is permitted to use wine vinegar for cooking. It is also permitted to drink beer, whiskey, and other alcoholic
beverages.
23. One is permitted to bathe and to put on freshly laundered clothing in honor of the Shabbat.
24. One can make Havdalah on wine or grape juice. If a young child present is old enough to make a blessing but not old
enough to understand that we do not eat meat during the Nine Days, that child should drink the Havdalah cup. If there
is no such child available, the person reciting Havdalah should drink the wine or grape juice himself. Others have a
custom to use beer for Havdallah.
25. A Jew should avoid scheduling litigation / adjudication during the Nine Days, since this is a month in which the Mazel
for Jews is bad.
26. Polishing shoes is permitted. Shining shoes in honor of the Shabbos is also permitted.
27. The Midrash teaches that Hashem will bring forth ten new creations in the era of Moshiach [e.g. death will perish
forever, everyone will be joyful, and there will be an end to all sighing and worry]. The Kaf HaChayim states that
everyone who meticulously observes the laws of the first ten days of Av, thereby demonstrating his personal mourning
over the destruction of Yerushalayim, will merit witnessing these ten miracles. May we all merit seeing these miracles
speedily and in our days.
© 2017 Rabbi Yossi Michalowicz

by: Rabbi Yossi Michalowicz

1. The Talmud teaches us that five tragic events occurred on the 17th of Tammuz, the most notable being that: a.) The tablets, containing
the Ten Commandments, were destroyed; and b.) The walls of the city of Jerusalem were breached, leading to the destruction of the
Second Temple. To commemorate these tragic events, the Jewish people observe this day as a fast day. In addition, the custom
developed to observe some mourning practices from this day until Tisha B’av.
2. The 17th of Tammuz is observed this year of 5777 on Monday evening and Tuesday of July 10 - 11. The fast begins Tuesday
morning at 4:34 A.M. and ends at 9:50 P.M. One who finds it difficult to fast may eat at 9:43 P.M. The purpose of a fast day is to
stir our hearts in order that we utilize the paths of Teshuva, returning to Hashem, and to serve as a reminder to us of our own actions
and those of our forefathers. These mistaken actions are responsible for the terrible events, which befell our people. Remembering
these tragedies should lead us to examine our conduct and return to Hashem.
3. One should not mistakenly assume that the abstinence from food and drink alone fulfills the requirement and purpose of a fast day.
The true purpose of a fast day must be evidenced in one’s improved deeds.
4. Pregnant and nursing women are not required to fast, if they find it difficult.
5. A person who is ill or suffering is not required to fast – even if there is no fear of danger to health.
6. One is permitted to eat before the fast, provided that one explicitly states before going to sleep that he/she plans to wake up early to
eat before the fast begins.
7. Although it is permitted to bathe, it has become customary not to take a hot shower or bathe for pleasure. [One may certainly bathe or
shower if one is dirty / perspired.]
8. It is proper for adults to refrain from swimming, unless it is needed for a medical condition or to cool off on a hot day. [Minors, however,
may swim.]
9. One is permitted to rinse one’s mouth, provided that you only rinse the front part of the mouth, taking care that no liquid enters the
throat area. One should make sure to rinse with less than 3.3 fl.oz. of liquid at a time. [There is a stringent view that permits this only
when in distress.]
10. You may take medications prescribed by a doctor. One, who has difficulty swallowing pills without water, may drink the amount of
water required to swallow them.
11. When suffering from a severe headache, etc., aspirin or Tylenol, etc., may be taken. One may drink water as described above in #10.
12. There are other restrictions that begin on this day, as it begins the period of the three weeks. This will be discussed later on.
13. During the reading of the Torah on a fast day, the custom is that certain verses are read aloud by the congregation. The individual who
is called up for that Aliya should not read the verses aloud with the congregation. Instead, he should wait until the reader says them
aloud and read along with him.
14. One who mistakenly ate on a fast day must resume and complete the fast. He may say the Aneinu insertion during the Mincha Amida.
15. One, who is not fasting altogether, should not say Aneinu.
16. We add the Avinu Malkeinu prayer for Shacharis and Mincha, even when praying alone at home without a Minyan.

Laws of the Three Weeks:
1. Although the Talmud mentions that the mourning of the Tisha B’av season begins on the first day of the month of Av, the accepted
custom amongst Ashkenazic Jews is to begin mourning from the 17th of Tamuz.
2. There are different levels of mourning in terms of restrictions, with the mourning intensifying as we get closer to Tisha B’av:
➢ From the 17th of Tamuz
➢ From the 1st of Av
➢ The week that Tisha B’av falls [i.e. from the Sat. night before Tisha B’av]
2
➢ Tisha B’av
3. We do not make weddings during the three weeks.
4. It is permitted to celebrate an engagement with a festive meal during the three weeks, provided there is no music and dancing. From
Rosh Chodesh [1st of Av] one should only serve light refreshments.
5. Dancing on weekdays is prohibited during the three weeks.
6. Generally speaking, it is prohibited to shave or get a haircut during the three weeks.
7. It is permitted to trim one’s mustache if it interferes with eating.
8. If one shaves daily, one may shave during the Three Weeks if one may lose one’s job or may lose customers because one does
not shave. However, if the only concern is that people will make fun of him, one is not permitted to shave.
9. Shaving is prohibited during the week that Tisha B’av falls, even if one suffers financial loss.
10. Adults may not give minor children a haircut during the week that Tisha B’av falls. There is a minority opinion that prohibits this for the
entire Three Weeks.
11. Women may not cut their hair during the Three Weeks. She may trim the hair on her temples, for the sake of modesty. A woman may
tweeze her eyebrows and perform similar cosmetic activities.
12. A Shaitel [wig] may be washed /cut or professionally cleaned and/or set during the Three Weeks - but not during the Nine Days.
13. It is permitted to cut your fingernails during the Three Weeks.
14. Playing or listening to music for enjoyment is prohibited during the Three Weeks. Listening to recorded music is also prohibited.
Playing is permitted on a professional basis in order to make a living.
15. It is not prohibited to hear background music, such as what one hears while waiting in a doctor’s office.
16. It is permitted to take music lessons if the lessons are not for pleasure and there will be a loss of skill because of the time lost. The Kaf
HaChayim writes: “Those who teach music during these days, should teach sad songs, and it would be even better if they did not
teach any music at all.”
17. There are opinions that permit singing during the weekdays. Everyone agrees that it is permitted to sing sad or moving songs, similar
to what we sing on Tisha B’av. For that matter, one should only listen to recorded acappella music of sad or moving songs.
18. One may not recite the Shehechiyanu blessing during the Three Weeks for purchases or new fruits. However, you may say it on
Shabbat.
19. Therefore, one should not purchase items during the Three Weeks that would require that blessing being said. [e.g. buying a new
suit.] One may purchase new items that do not require a Shehechiyanu. [e.g. a pair of new shoes or underwear.]
20. One should not purchase a car for pleasure or convenience until after the Three Weeks. One may purchase a car if it is for work;
however, the Shehechiyanu blessing should not be recited until after the Three Weeks.
21. You may purchase a necessary appliance, such as a refrigerator, washing machine or bed, to replace one that broke during the Three
Weeks.
22. One should not engage in dangerous activities during the Three Weeks. For this reason, some follow the practice not to schedule
surgery during the 3 weeks, and certainly not during the 9 days, unless the doctor insists that it cannot medically be postponed.
23. It is permitted to bathe, shower, or swim for pleasure until the 1st of Av. It is prohibited during the Nine Days.
24. Although a parent should not strike one’s child at any time of the year, a parent should be extra cautious and refrain from striking one’s
child during the Three Weeks.
25. There are no mourning practices conducted on the Shabbos.
26. One need not decrease business activity, construction, or planting until the Nine Days begin.
© 2017 Rabbi Yossi Michalowicz

by Rabbi Michalowicz
1. Women light candles either at the regular time of candle lighting [8:33 PM] or from a pre-existing flame when
the men come home from Shul and are ready to eat. They make 2 blessings: One for the Mitzvah of lighting
the Yom Tov candles and the other “Shehechiyanu” blessing. [If a woman forgets to light candles at these two
times, she may light them from a pre-existing flame the entire evening.]
2. Usually, when Holidays begin, and when Shabbos begins, it is generally permitted to begin the Holiday early,
and indeed, sometimes it is preferable. But we may not begin the Holiday of Shavuos early, so that the Count
of Omer should be a complete seven weeks. Therefore, on the first night Shavuos we wait until the stars come
out, and do not begin Kiddush until then. For this year of 5777, the earliest time to make Kiddush on
Tuesday night is 9:41 PM.
3. There is a well known minhag to bring flowers into shul and one's home as a remembrance that on Shavuos
we are judged on "Peiros Ha'ilon" - fruits. However, one should not cut off branches from fruit bearing trees for
this purpose because of the Torah prohibition of "Bal Tashchis".
4. Many have the minhag to eat a milchige [dairy] meal (and milk and honey) on Shavuos. However, one is also
obliged to eat fleishig [beef] to be yotze [discharges his obligation of] Simchas Yom Tov with meat.
5. In order to satisfy all opinions, it is preferable to have a meat meal both in the evening and in the day of both
days of Yom Tov [4 meals], and to have a dairy meal or snack in the day before your meat meal.
6. However, if one finds it difficult to eat meat so late at night, there are opinions to rely on that permit you to eat
dairy meals at night.
7. All agree that you should have meat meals at least one time on each of the two days of Yom Tov.
8. If one eats milchig but not "hard cheese" (which requires one to wait six hours before eating meat) one need
not bentch and wash again before eating meat. However, one should wash his /her mouth well and the
tablecloth should be changed. (Other poskim require one to bentch).
9. There is a custom to stay up the night of Shavuos and learn Torah. This is based on the Midrash which says
that the Jewish people overslept the night before Matan Torah and Hashem had to awaken them to receive the
Torah. Therefore we stay up all night to rectify their oversight.
10. The Arizal [The Kabalist Rabbi Yitzchok Luria] writes that one who does not sleep the night of Shavuos and
toils in Torah is assured to live out the year and no harm will occur to him.
11. There is a compilation of torah learning known as "Tikkun Lay'l Shavuos" which has The Zohar and the
writings of The Ari'zal as its source, and many have the minhag to say/learn this on Shavuos night.
12. Generally women should not say the "Tikkun Lay'l Shavuos". However, some say that a woman who counted
all the days of Sefiras Ha'omer may learn the portions of the Tikkun which are from Tanach.
13. One who stayed awake all night of Shavuos should immediately, at Alos Hashachar wash one's hands for
Netilas Yadayim without a beracha, and listen to Birchas Hatorah from someone who slept, before one
continues to learn.
14. Before Shachris one should use the restroom, wash his hands and then make the berachos of "al netilas
yadayim" and "asher yotzar".
15. One who stayed awake all night should not make a beracha on his tzitzis. Rather, he should make the beracha
on his Tallis Gadol and have in mind to be yotze for his tzitzis with the same beracha. Someone who does
not wear a Tallis Gadol, should hear the beracha from someone else who will discharge his
obligation.
16. One who stayed awake all night should listen to the berachos of "Elokai Neshama" and "Hamaveir Shayna
Mayeinoi" from someone who slept during the night.
17. One who goes to sleep after Alos Hashachar Shavuos morning (or on any day) does not say the beracha of
Hamapil.
18. For those who have stayed awake all night, the minhag of Ashkenazim is that after Alos Hashachar one goes
to the bathroom, washes ones hands, makes al netilas yadayim, and asher yatzar, and then listens to and is
yotze [discharges his obligation of] Birchas Hatorah, Elokai Neshama, and birchas Hamaavir Chevlei
Sheynah, from someone who slept, and then one says all rest of the usual morning berachos for oneself.
19. While reciting Birchos Hatorah on Erev Shavuos, one may clearly stipulate that his berachos should be in
effect only until the next morning. In this case, he may recite the berachos on Shavuos morning although he
did not sleep.
20. If no person who slept is available, many poskim rule that the berachos of Elokai Neshama and Hamaavir
Chevlai Sheynah may be recited even by one who did not sleep.
21. One may not make any Yom Tov preparations on the first day of Yom Tov for the second night, light candles, or
make Kiddush until after 9:42 PM.
22. Candle lighting and Kiddush are done in the same way as on the first night.