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 the fingers, until the knuckles of the hands should be washed)
3. Smearing soap, oil, lotion, cream etc. for pleasure. (If necessary for medical or health reasons, it isn't prohibited. Likewise, deodorant may used to prevent or eliminate odors)
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, as by Niddah)
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 (Tehilim 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 Yirmiyahu, Midrash Eicha, the Agaddah in the fifth Perek of Gittin (Starting from 56b ) or the Talmud Yerushalmi at the end of tractate Ta'anis that deals with the Churban etc. (See Shulchan Aruch Yoreh Deah Siman 384:4)
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. (See 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. (See Halichos Shlomo Perek 15:1. Regarding when Erev Tisha B'Av is on Shabbos, see Halachos of this past Sunday.)
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:
Can one feed children meat during the 9 days [between Rosh Chodesh Av and Tisha B'Av] L'chatchila? If yes until what age?
ANSWER:
Healthy Children above 7 years old should not be given meat during the nine days, according to all Poskim. All Children under the age of 3 may be given meat according to all Poskim.
Some Poskim are lenient for children between the ages of 3 and 7. Other Poskim, including the Mishna Berura (Siman 551:70), are stringent and don't allow it.
CHIZUK CORNER
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