Q. Good morning Rabbi, both my husband and I are diabetics and require frequent visits to the chiropodist. The next appointment was scheduled for July 28, which is the first day of Av. Should we change the appointment? It generally involves cutting the toe nails.
On question1801 regarding the limitations of the month of Av, we wrote The Mishna Berura (551,1), says that “Mishenichnas Av Memaatin Besimcha” (When the month of Av begins we should reduce joy), applies until Rosh Chodesh Elul. The Mishna Berura (ibid.) mentions the whole month of Av in regards to avoiding a court case with a Gentile during the month of Av, because the month is not of good Mazal.
On question 1406 in regards to postponing a necessary medical surgery on the third week of the month, we wrote “Shulchan Aruch (O.H. 551: 1) rules that from the beginning of the month of Av one should minimize joy. He adds that it is a month when the mazal is inferior and unfortunate (reiya mazleh), and one should avoid going to trial on this month. Mishna Berura (ibid. 2) quotes from the Zohar that at least one should abstain until after Tisha Beav.
Kedushas Levi mentions that the month Av is divided into two distinct sections. Part one belongs to Arur (accursed, implied by the alef of Av) and part B stands for baruch (blessed, inferred on the beis of Av), and this lat one contains good mazal.
Chasam Sofer (Droshos 2: p. 331) maintains that a new month begins with Tisha Beav and is named Menachem. Tisha Beav is day one of that new month (See Yerushalmi Taanis 4: 5, and Yechezkel 26: 1; It came to pass in the eleventh year on the first of the month, that the word of Hashem came to me).
However, Machazik Brocho (Chida 551) and other follow the Beir Heitev’s opinion that the “reiya mazleh” extends for the complete month.
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that in need a person can be lenient after Assara Beav. (Tenth of Av).”
However, the treatment you mention of just cutting toe nails, does not seem to present any danger
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a.
Important Numbers
