Today's Halachos dedicated by daily reader, C.S., in loving memory of her dear mother Marim bas Shlomo Yoel. May her Neshama continue to climb higher in Gan Eden.
Today, due to the prohibition of learning our regular Torah topic, we will discuss some relevant halachos of Tisha B'Av. Our regular topic will resume B'Ezras Hashem tomorrow.
1) There are five main things that bring a person enjoyment, and are therefore prohibited on Tisha B'Av:
#1) Eating /Drinking (this includes brushing teeth and rinsing the mouth with water)
#2) Washing one's body [or hands or face] for pleasure,even in cold water (Washing the hands upon waking and after using the bathroom is permitted, but only until the knuckles of the hands should be washed)
#3) Smearing soap, oil,lotion, cream etc. for pleasure. (If necessary for medical reasons, it isn't prohibited. Likewise, deodorant may used to prevent or eliminate odors if it is very hot weather. Preferably, the deodorant should be unscented.)
#4) Wearing leather shoes (Even if only part of the shoe is leather)
#5) Marital relations (It is best to be stringent and avoid sharing a bed or even touching one's spouse on Tisha B'Av)
2) On Tisha B'Av it is forbidden to learn Torah since learning Torah brings happiness, as the Posuk states Pekudei Hashem Yesharim, Mesamchei Lev (Tehillim 19) and on Tisha B'Av all Jews assume the status of mourners, and thus are prohibited from doing activities that bring happiness.
It is, however, permitted to learn certain sad topics that remind us of our bitter Galus (e.g. Certain parts of Sefer Yirmiyah, Midrash Eicha, the Agaddah in the fifth Perek of Gittin (Starting from 56b) or the Yerushalmi at the end of Taanis that deals with the Churban etc.) as well as the halachos of Tisha B'Av. (See Shulchan Aruch Yoreh Deah Siman 384:4 and Halichos Shlomo; Orchos Halacha page 440)
Even when learning these permitted topics, they should not be learned B'Iyun, with too much depth, rather just enough to understand and internalize what is being learned. (Mishna Berura Siman 554:5)
The prohibition to learn begins on Erev Tisha B'Av after Chatzos. However, one may learn the permitted topics B'Iyun on Erev Tisha B'Av, as only on Tisha B'Av itself do we limit the depth allowed
3)Smoking cigarettes/Cigars is prohibited on Tisha B'Av. Some authorities allow it after Chatzos (midday) if done secretly. (Many contemporary Poskim prohibit smoking altogether, even the rest of the year. See Q&A# 542 on page 11 here regarding the halachic status of smoking)
Even one who will not be fasting on Tisha B'Av (for halachically acceptable medical reasons) should still partake of the Seudah HaMafsekes (the final meal on the eve of the fast)(Halichos Shlomo Perek 15:2)
4) Non leather shoes that are very comfortable (such as cozy slippers, air sneakers, crocs, etc.), although M'Ikar Hadin they may be worn on Tisha B'Av, there is valid Halachic room for stringency to avoid wearing them. The Chazon Ish and other Gedolei Yisroel would not wear any shoes on Tisha B'Av and spent the day in socks or with very thin footwear only so that they would "feel the floor". (See Halichos Shlomo Perek 15:4. Rav Moshe Sternbuch shlita and Rav Nisim Karelitz shlita also rule as such and say that a Yerei Shomayim should avoid shoes that are worn all year round for comfort, even if they aren't leather)
Even those who are more lenient on Yom Kippur and wear comfortable non leather shoes, should be more stringent on Tisha B'Av as we try to minimize comforts on Tisha B'Av as much as possible. (Halichos Shlomo Perek 15 footnote 5 quoting the Sha'arei Teshuva Siman 554:11 and footnotes Orchos Halacha there 19-21)
5) On Tisha B'Av it is customary to limit one's pleasures as much as possible. Some people have the custom to sleep with a stone under their pillow, to make their sleep uncomfortable.
(See Toras Moshe from the Chasam Sofer Bereishis 28:11 where he writes that the day that Yaakov Avinu slept on the stone was Tisha B'Av)
Many people simply sleep with one less pillow than they are
accustomed to. Each person can do whatever it is they feel would minimize their personal comfort, and thus satisfy the spirit of Aveilus.
6)From nightfall of Tisha B'Av until Chatzos (midday, around 1:00 pm ) we do not sit on chairs that are higher than 3 Tefochim (between 9 and 12 inches depending on whose measurements you follow, though the Chazon Ish and Steipler were not makpid on the exact measurement in this case, and just sat on a low stool). Some have the custom to sit directly on the floor.
Though sitting on regular chairs is permitted after Chatzos, the other prohibitions of Tisha B'Av (eating, washing etc.) are prohibited all day until nightfall of the 10th of Av.
7) Tefillin is not donned at Shacharis on Tisha B'Av, rather it is worn at Mincha. The special Bracha of "Nacheim" which asks Hashem to comfort us from our state of mourning, is inserted into the Beracha of "V'LiRushalayim Ircha" in the Shemona esrei of Mincha. It should be said with deep Kavanah (concentration)
8) Kiddush Levana is recited after Maariv on Motzei Tisha B'Av, but should only be recited after breaking the fast and changing into regular shoes. Women do not say Kiddush Levana (ever).
It is best to say Kiddush Levana with a large Minyan (B'Rov Am Hadras Melech), but B'Dieved it may be recited with just another person there, or even alone if no one is around.
9) All the Halachos of the nine days (meat, wine, music, cutting hair etc.) are in effect until after midday of the tenth of Av. One who abstains from the above for the entire day (even past midday) is blessed.
10) It is proper to refrain from marital relations on the night of the tenth of Av, unless that is the night of Tevilah.
Wishing all my readers and all of Klal Yisroel an easy and fulfilling fast.
May this be the last Tisha B'Av spent in mourning and may we merit seeing next Tisha B'Av celebrated , all of Klal Yisroel together, in joy in our rebuilt Bais Hamikdash Hashlishi in Yerushalayim Ihr Hakodesh.
QUESTION & ANSWER CORNER
Reader Submitted Questions of interest on topics related to Halachos we covered, as well as other interesting topic and Answers.
These Q&A are taken from the Q & A pages on the Halacha For Today website.
Although the answers I give to questions are taken directly from the Sifrei HaPoskim, and aren't my own, they are still for study purposes only, NOT for Psak Halacha.
Questions can be emailed to HalachaForToday@Gmail.com
Reader's Question:
Is one permitted to take a pill ( not a medication, rather like a birth control pill) on a fast day without water? Is there a difference between any fast, for example , are Tisha B'av and Yom Kippur stricter than the other fasts?
Answer:
Yes, pills taken for health reasons (even if the person is not sick) may be taken on fast days including Tisha B'Av, and if one cannot take a pill without water, the pill may be taken with as much water as necessary to get the pill down.
If the pill itself is good tasting, it should preferably be wrapped in a tissue before swallowing. (See Halichos Shlomo Bain HaMetzarim Perek 16:3 and the footnotes. see also Shu"t Shevet Haleivi Vol. 10 Siman 81:1)
Regarding Yom Kippur, it may be more stringent.
As always, a Rav must be consulted for Halacha L'Ma'aseh.
CHIZUK CORNER
This section is dedicated L'Ilui Nishmas the late Telzer Rosh Yeshiva , HaRav Chaim Yaakov ben Rav Binyomin Moshe Stein Zatzal.
We will B'Ezras Hashem post here each day a short inspirational thought to help us all improve our lives and grow in our service of our Father in heaven, HaKadosh Baruch Hu.
IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING MEANINGFUL FOR THIS SECTION, PLEASE EMAIL IT TO HalachaForToday@Gmail.com
THANK YOU AND תזכו למצות!
זכר צדיק וקדוש לברכה
כל המתאבל על ירושלים זוכה ורואה בשמחתה. בבא בתרא דף ס
Whoever mourns the destruction of Jerusalem will merit seeing its rejoicing.
Talmud Bava Basra 60b
There was once a girl who was davening at the kosel on Tisha B'Av and crying.
Her friends asked her what she was crying about. They wondered what she really felt.
She replied that she was crying because she didn't know what she should be crying about. She didn't know what to feel.
Today, we are so lost; we don't even know what we're missing.
Taken from www.Divreichizuk.com
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Do you want the Bais Hamikdash rebuilt?
Really?
I don't believe you.
Do you cry during V'leerushalayim in sh'mone esrei? If you really want the bais hamikdash and the Shechina to come back, why not? Don't just go to lectures and hear speakers on Tisha B'Av. Focus on the tragedy and think about what we are missing.
Imagine you chas v'shalom lost those dearest to you. Wouldn't you cry uncontrollably? We are living in a world void of the Shechina; what bigger tragedy is there? We know that in each generation the Holy Temple isn't rebuilt, it's as if it was destroyed in that generation. What are YOU doing to help ensure it gets rebuilt?
Those who mourn over the destruction of Jerusalem will merit to see it rebuilt. Do you cry at funerals? Did you cry when you heard about the terrible tragedies of recent past? Imagine being taken out of your home and being thrown into a ghetto, overcrowded beyond your imagination. The Shechina is now homeless, living in an unbearable exile. How can you not cry?
Instead of just listening to speakers and words this entire Tish'a b'Av, take at least a few moments to think alone; reflect on the reality of the situation. If only we would really show remorse and pray with fervor, H-Sh-m would redeem us INSTANTLY. Go to a private room and cry, at least for some time, during this saddest day of the year. Read the last chapter of Eicha to yourself, very slowly and solemnly, with the proper tune if you know it.
Why was Rabbi Elazar Abuchatzeira (grandson of the Baba Sali) stabbed to death so viciously?
Why did Leiby have to die in such a tragic and horrific way?
Why were six million Jews murdered by the nazis?
Babies were taken out of mothers' arms, only to be thrown up and shot, like a game. Why?
Why were people forced to drink their own urine?
Many were placed into ovens to be burned alive. Countless were led into shower rooms, ready to finally wash and clean themselves, only to be murdered with poisonous gas. Why?
Why did mothers eat their own children to survive?
Why was Rabbi Akiva's skin flayed with iron combs?
Why were children taken, only to use their blood for a bath?
Cry this Tish'a b'Av over all of our tragedies.
Daven with intent and feeling; don't let any prayer this day finish without shedding tears. We are all responsible for one another and if these tragedies happened, we are to blame.
Cry to counteract our needless crying thousands of years ago.
Beg H-Sh-m not to give us more reasons to cry.
Make this Tish'a b'Av different. Do you really want all the suffering to end?
Do you really want to rejoice in Jerusalem NOW?
Do you want to feel G-d's Presence among us again?
PROVE IT.
CRY.
Submitted by daily reader, C.M.
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QUESTION FROM A READER:
In life, we tend to follow the quote 'don't cry over spilled milk' , we try not to sulk in our past miseries....why when it comes to mourn for the bais hamikdash, we gotta sulk for three whole weeks?
ANSWER:
Very good question.
And the answer is:
When one loses a loved one, they mourn for the proper amount of time and then move on, and in fact it's against halacha to mourn endlessly for a loved one.
The reason for this is that it is not in our hands to control if someone passes away or not; it is the will of Hashem that that person made the transition from this world to the next, and too much mourning risks seeming like we don't accept Hashem's judgement.
HOWEVER, Chazal teach us that each generation that doesnt merit to have the Bais Hamikdash rebuilt in their time is as if it was [newly] destroyed in their time!
Thus, when it comes to mourning for the Bais Hamikdash, we arent mourning over a 2,000 year old loss. We are mourning a fresh loss. A loss that is newly painful to each and every Jew as if it just happened. Thus, we arent mourning a building that was burned down way back when, rather we are mourning our disconnect from Hashem today. We are mourning our lack of closeness to Hashem today. We are mourning the tragedies of today which are all an extension of the Churban that began 2,000 years ago.
We are crying for a loss that WAS and IS in our hands to reverse. It is Hashem's will that we reverse the churban. It isnt "spilled milk". It isn't a "past misery"
May this Tisha B'Av be our last one spent in mourning and may we all finally do our part to ensure the rebuilding of the Bais Hamikdash Hashlishi and an end to all the Tzaros of Klal Yisroel.
We are currently in the period of mourning over the Bais Hamikdash.
As we all know,our Holy Temple was destroyed, and is being withheld from us due to Sinas Chinam. As our Gedolim teach us, the key way to combatting baseless hate is through developing baseless love; Spreading Ahavas Yisroel.
On that note, one of the readers of Halacha for Today has informed me that they have launched a new website to achieve that goal!
Visit www.SpreadAhavasYisroel.com and in 3 easy steps YOU can expedite the arrival of Mashiach!
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