1) When the ninth of Av falls out on Shabbos and thus the fast of Tisha B'Av is observed on Sunday, according to the Shulchan Aruch (Siman 554:19) none of the restrictions of Tisha B'Av are applicable on Shabbos, and thus marital relations are permitted on Shabbos.
However, the Rama (ibid.) rules that marital relations, as well as washing the hands and face with hot water, are forbidden on this Shabbos as only public displays of mourning are forbidden on Shabbos. (See Mishna Berura S"K 39)
2) The prevalent custom [amongst Ashkenazim] is to be stringent like the Rama's ruling, except if that Friday night is the Leil Tevilah, the night the woman immerses in the Mikvah, in which case most Poskim rely on the Shulchan Aruch's ruling and permit it. (See Mishna Berura Siman 554 S"K 40)
Halachos for Shabbos Kodesh
1) When Tisha B'Av is on Sunday, Havdalah is not recited on Motzaei Shabbos over a cup of wine, nor is the Bracha recited on the Besamim, as that is a pleasurable thing to do and thus not appropriate for Tisha B'Av. (Shulchan Aruch Siman 556:1 and Mishna Berura S"K 1. See also Aruch HaShulchan Siman 556:1)
However, we do light the Havdalah candle and recite the blessing of "Borei Me'Orei Ha'Aish", preferably before the reading of Megilas Eicha commences. (ibid.)
2) On Motzaei Tisha B'Av (Sunday night) Havdalah is recited over a cup of wine. Only the Bracha of Hagafen and Havdalah are recited but not the Pesukim usually said before the Bracha on Motzaei Shabbos (Hinei Kel Yeshuasi...) and not the Bracha over Besamim or fire, as those are recited only on Motzaei Shabbos. (Shulchan Aruch Siman 556:1)
"Ata Chonantanu" is recited in the Bracha of Ata Chonen in Shemona Esrei of Ma'ariv on Motzaei Shabbos that is Tisha B'Av, as it is every week.
Women who do not daven Ma'ariv should be reminded to say "Baruch Hamavdil Bein Kodesh L'Chol" before doing any Melachos on Motzaei Shabbos. (Mishna Berura Siman 556 S"K 2)
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
QUESTION:
I wanted to know if a woman who gave birth 3 weeks before 9 of Av, and is nursing has to fast on Tisha B'Av?
ANSWER:
A nursing mother [as well as a pregnant woman] must fast on Tisha B'Av. (Shulchan Aruch Siman 554:5)
If doing so will harm the child, a Rav must be consulted.
For the first seven days after giving birth, a woman may not fast.
From day 7 until day 30 after the child is born (as is your case), a Rav must be consulted as depending on her strength she may or may not be told to fast, and may be told to fast for part of the fast etc.
CHIZUK CORNER
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This section is dedicated L'Ilui Nishmos the Telzer Rosh Yeshiva, HaRav Chaim Yaakov Stein Zatzal , the Mir Rosh Yeshiva, HaRav Noson Tzvi Finkel Zatzal and the Rosh Yeshiva of Torah Ohr, the great Posek HaRav Chaim Pinchas Scheinberg Zatzal.
May we all strive to follow in their ways and may they be Melitzei Yosher for all of Klal Yisroel.
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 צדיקים וקדושים לברכה
Eighty percent of our emunah problems and ninety percent of our questions on HASHEM stem from one mistake - we play G-d. Playing G-d means I know exactly what I need. I need to marry that woman. I need that job. I need my child to get into that school.
I've talked to HASHEM about it. I've explained it Him. I've even brokered deals with Him. "If You grant me this, I'll ..."
Yet for some reason, He just won't listen.
"HASHEM, what's the deal? Are you angry with me? Are You punishing me? Why do You insist in making my life so difficult? This is what I need. It's so clear. Why won't You just grant it to me?"
And I go on asking questions. "It's not fair. It doesn't make sense! HASHEM, what do You want from me?"
The problem here is quite simple - I am playing G-d. I know exactly what I need, and now I have figure out how to get HASHEM to understand that. The simple reality that maybe, just maybe, this isn't good for me never seems to cross my mind.
Historical Perspective
The strange part of this is that I have lived through situations that didn't exactly turn out as I thought they would. I absolutely had to have that job; it was just what I needed. I could earn a living, support my family, and still have time to learn. It was the perfect fit. In the end, I didn't get that job, and I had major questions. "HASHEM, why?! Why aren't You there for me?" Then five years later, I find out that the entire industry is being shipped over to India. Oh...
I tried to marry that woman. She was perfect. Great match, good family. She would make a fantastic wife and mother for my children. And it didn't go. "HASHEM why have you abandoned me? This is what I need!" She married someone else, and two years later, I find out that term "mentally unstable" is a mild description of her situation. Mmmmm....
Another time, my son absolutely, positively had to get into that class; it was just right for him. Great rebbe, good atmosphere - it was perfect for him. And the menahel wouldn't let him in. "HASHEM, why? Where are You?" Then, two months later, I find out that there's a child in that class who would have been the worst possible influence on my son. It would have been devastating. Hmm...
Part of Human Nature
And, we do this all the time. We act as if we truly know what is best for us. We run after it. We hotly pursue it for all we're worth. "No obstacle is going to get in my way. Nothing will prevent this from coming about." And when lo and behold my efforts are thwarted - the questions begin. "But, why? It's not fair! I am a good person. HASHEM, why won't You just help me?"
The problem here is quite simple; we are playing G-d. We act as if we know exactly what we need; we try to convince HASHEM to give it to us. And when it doesn't go - the questions start.
And while it's easy to see the folly of this when other people do it, when it happens in my world, then the real challenge begins. To break out of this, we need to change two perspectives. The first one is easy to grasp. The second one is far more difficult.
Perspective #1 - HASHEM Loves Me
The first perspective is that HASHEM loves me more than I love me. HASHEM is more concerned for my good than I am. HASHEM has my best interests at heart to an even greater extent than I do.
While this concept may sound lofty, it isn't that far removed from us. To see it in action, all you have to do is study your life. Look back on the strange twists and turns of fate that brought you to where you are today. Every Jew has a story. "I met that person, who just happened to mention..." "I ended up in that that course, where it just so happened that...."
When you look back on the events that have shaped your life, you see the hand of HASHEM. You see HASHEM orchestrating the occurrences that shaped your life. And now in hindsight, you see that HASHEM was taking care of you, guiding you, leading you. While you were living through it, it looked "bad" It appeared that HASHEM didn't care. However, after the fact, you understand that it was done out of love, and concern for your ultimate good.
Perspective #2 - HASHEM Knows Better Than I
However, knowing that HASHEM loves me is the easy part. The second concept, which is far more difficult, is knowing that HASHEM knows better than I what is best for me. And understanding that HASHEM knows better than me what it is that I need.
HASHEM created the heavens and all that they contain. He wrote the formulas for quantum physics and molecular biology. He views the entire universe with one glance. He sees the future as the past. And He has the wisdom to see far-reaching results. What will this bring to ten years from now? What will the consequences be twenty years from now?
I, on the other hand, see about two inches in front of my face. I can't remember what I had for breakfast this morning. I make mistakes. I blunder. I get confused and caught up. As much as I think I know, I am often wrong. That which I think will be so good for me, is so often just the opposite. And, I forget. I forget lessons. I forget facts. I forget results. I forget consequences.
HASHEM doesn't. HASHEM remembers every event since Creation. And HASHEM made me. He is my Creator, and He knows me even better than I do. And so HASHEM understands my needs better than I do.
While this may sound obvious, it is -until it comes to the thick and thin of life. In the busyness of doing, and going, and accomplishing, this simple reality fades from my sight. I need that. I must have this. I have to accomplish that. And, when I face the brick wall blocking my path - I push on, bucking against everything in front of me. And I ask questions: "HASHEM, where are You? Why aren't You helping me?"
The idea that maybe, just maybe HASHEM is telling me something. Maybe HASHEM is saying no - never seems to cross my mind. Maybe it's not going, because it's not supposed to go. Maybe HASHEM knows better than I what is for my best. "Hmmmm.... Never thought about that."
Putting It Into Practice
When I fully embrace these two ideas - that HASHEM loves me more than I love me and that HASHEM knows better than I what is best for me - I approach life differently. I still try. I still put in my effort. I use my wisdom, reach decisions, and then pursue them but now it's different.
I have my part, and HASHEM has His. My role is to go through the motions; HASHEM is responsible for the outcome. And if I try and it doesn't go, and I try again and it still doesn't go, I don't kick. I accept. When opportunities don't present themselves despite my best efforts, I turn my eyes to heaven and say, "HASHEM, You know best. I trust in You."
And finally I understand life and my place in it. I am the creation, and HASHEM, You are my Creator. I am but an actor on the stage; I have my part to play, You direct the play, and You alone write the script. I know that you love me and take care of me. My job is to do; and You take care of the rest.
Important Numbers
