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Siman 554 – Prohibitions on Tisha B’Av

These notes are intended solely to aid in the learning process and should not be considered authoritative halachic conclusions
Please do not rely on these notes l’maaseh

הChelek 5

  1. On Tisha B’Av you are not allowed to learn (even in thought) Tanach, Mishna, Midrash, Gemara, Halachos and Aggados; because they gladden the heart. Even children should not be taught their regular subjects. (ShA , – MB )
  1. The following is a list of permitted topics to learn:
    1. Iyov and its commentaries. (ShA , )
    2. Dire prophecies of Yirmiyahu (skip the comforting parts and even the dire prophesies against the goyim). (ShA – MB )
    3. Midrash Eicha. (ShA )
    4. Perek Aylu Megalchim – just avoid the process of arriving at the halacha. (ShA – MB )
    5. Eicha and its commentaries. (ShA )
    6. Stories of the Churban in Perek Hanizokin. (MB )
    7. Stories of the Churban in Perek Chaylek. (MB )
    8. Stories of the Churban in Josephus. (MB )
  1. You are allowed to daaven the seder hayom (defined as anything that everyone says – MB Siman 559:20) from the siddur even though it contains pesukim and mishnayos. (ShA )
  1. Even those portions of Torah that are permitted should not be learnt in depth. Do not think how to explain a difficulty. Do not learn by way of drush or questions or answers. Just learn simple pshat. (MB , )
  1. Do not say piskay halacha that are not pertinent for the moment. Do not hold a monetary din Torah that can be postponed. (MB )
  1. Tehillim on Tisha B’Av is controversial. (Mb7 – ShaH8)
  1. The baal koray can practice the Krias HaTorah for Mincha (and certainly for shacharis). (MB )
  1. A yoleddes within a week of birth should not fast. After that, within 30 days she should fast as long as she feels completely back to herself. But if she is slightly ill or has a weak constitution she shouldn’t fast. (ShA – MB , )
  1. When the fast is postponed until Sunday, a yoleddes does not need to fast in any case. (MB )
  1. A sick person who is weak or is in pain can be maykil not to fast on Tisha B’Av, even if there is no danger to life. If his situation can become dangerous by fasting it is forbidden to fast. (Rama – MB , )
  1. Bathing is prohibited on Tisha B’Av whether in hot or cold water. Do not even dip your finger into water. (ShA )
  1. A woman may not go to the mikva on Tisha B’Av. She should bathe and do chafifa (scrubbing hair with warm water) on the day before. Then, on Motzay Tisha B’Av she should do a little more chafifa and go to the mikva. (ShA –MB )
  1. The prohibition of bathing is only when done for pleasure. The following cases are therefore allowed:
    1. Washing filth off of hands. Wash only the affected area.
    2. Rinsing food when preparing a meal even if hands get wet.
    3. Washing hands after the bathroom. It’s best to have wiped first to justify washing according to all opinions. Wash only up until the knuckles.
    4. Washing neggel vasser in the morning. Wash only up until the knuckles. Do not bless “..al netillas yodayim” unless you first went to the bathroom.
    5. Walking through water on the way to a mitzvah (like visiting your rebbe) or to save yourself from a loss (like protecting your orchard).
    6. Washing for Mincha.
    7. Soaking aching feet.
    8. A bride may wash her face within 30 days after her wedding. (ShA , , , , – MB , , , , , )
  1. After drying your hands you may use them (they are still moist) to wipe your eyes and face. A towel that was soaked and is now dry (enough that it does not leave moisture on something else) can be used to wipe as well. (ShA – Rama –MB , )
  1. An “istanis” who can’t get his mind off his discomfort that comes because of not washing is allowed to rinse his face with water. (MB )
  1. The prohibition of anointing applies even to one limb, but only when done for pleasure. The following cases are therefore allowed:
    1. To apply ointment to a head wound.
    2. A bride within 30 days after her wedding. (ShA – MB )
  1. You aren’t allowed to wear shoes with any leather – even on top. (ShA – MB )
  1. You should recite the beracha “…she’ossa li kol tzorki” even though you don’t wear shoes. (MB )
  1. If you are walking a long distance, you may wear leather shoes. It is good to put some dirt in them. Take them off as soon as you arrive at the city. (ShA – MB )
  1. Tashmish hamitta is prohibited on Tisha B’Av. Therefore sleeping in the same bed and even touching one’s wife is not allowed. It is as if she is a nidda. One can be maykil to touch her during the day if she is not dressed pretty. (Unlike Yom Kippur.) (ShA – MB – ShaH44)
  1. When Tisha B’Av falls on Shabbos all prohibitions are overridden except for private matters like tashmish hamitta and washing with hot water. If Friday night is mikva night, she should toivel and have tashmish. (ShA – MB , )
  1. No greeting people nor sending gifts on Tisha B’Av. (ShA – MB )
  1. If someone greets you, inform him that today we may not greet people. If he will be insulted, greet him back quietly and seriously. (ShA – MB )
  1. Don’t take leisure walks so as not to ruin the mournful mood. (SHA )
  1. Nowadays the minhag everywhere is to refrain from melocha the night of Tisha B’Av and the morning until midday. The following cases are allowed:
    1. To apply ointment to a head wound.
    2. A bride within 30 days after her wedding. (ShA – MB )
  1. Even after midday, do not get so busy that you distract your mind from the mourning. If you do, you will not see beracha from the profits of that work. (ShA – MB , )
  1. Whoever eats and drinks on Tisha B’Av does not merit to see the joy of Jerusalem. This applies even to people who are weak and find it difficult to fast. Unless he is truly ill, it is worth suffering over the destruction of the house of our G-d at least once a year. (ShA – MB )
  1. Whoever mourns over Jerusalem merits to see her joy. (ShA )