By:
Rabbi Aaron D. Mehlman
Congregation Ohav Sholom
Last week, we discussed the laws of
bein hametzarim
,
the three weeks
.
This week's primer is devoted to
rosh chodesh av
and
the nine days.
The nine days begin Sunday evening, July 23, 2017, at nightfall,
9:07 pm
.
Rosh Chodesh Av is included in these restrictions and the eve of rosh chodesh is likewise included. Generally speaking, the laws of the nine days initiate at nightfall. However, if one davens maariv early (even before sunset but after the plag hamincha) the restrictions of the nine days are in full effect.
During the nine days we generally decrease our joy and simcha
in a collective effort to mourn the loss of our beloved Temple and the exiling of the Divine Presence and the Jewish People from eretz yisroel.
Marriage is prohibited but one may "get engaged" during this period.
We avoid decorating or beautifying our homes during the nine days. Essential repairs are permitted.
Construction projects started before the nine days may continue if a) the contractor is a non-Jew and b) if the project is halted, the Jew will incur financial loss.
A Jewish contractor may work on a Gentile's project if it is known to all that the property/project belongs to a non Jew.
We do not plant trees or flowers during the nine days.
Even if one purchased new furniture before the nine days, it is forbidden to bring those items into the home during this period.
It is forbidden to purchase new clothing during the nine days, even to put the clothes on hold until after the nine days. However, if there is a big sale that will conclude during the nine days, one may purchase these sale items during this period.
One may purchase tisha b'av shoes during the nine days.
One may mend "old" clothing during the nine days. This includes sewing on buttons and the like.
We do not wear freshly laundered clothing during the nine days, with the exception of shabbos. One should wear the laundered clothing before the nine days if possible but if one forgot, they should first be placed on the floor so as to remove freshness.
This rule applies to outer clothing only; socks, undergarments, etc. are excluded.
Clothing of children over six years of age are included in this prohibition (some authorities are lenient until bar/bas mitzvah)
We do not launder towels or put on fresh bed sheets or tablecloths during the nine days. However, for shabbos, fresh tablecloths are permitted, bed sheets are not.
If a guest stays in your home, one may put out freshly laundered bedsheets for the guest.
One cannot wash laundry or bring clothes to the cleaners even with the intent to "pick up" after tisha b'av.
There are
poskim
who permit bringing clothing to a non Jewish cleaner with explicit instructions to launder them
after
the nine days.
One may use shoe
polish
to shine shoes but one should not
brush
them during the nine days.
To commemorate the disruption of animal sacrifices and ceremonial wine libations in the Temple, we do not eat meat or drink wine during the nine days, with the exception of shabbos.
Children over the age six should refrain from consuming meat products.
One may cook with/add wine to a dish if there is a 60/1 food to wine ratio or if one cannot detect a wine flavor - even if the wine improves the overall taste of the food (and one may taste the food to determine this.)
Grape juice is included in this restriction but one may ingest/consume/use wine vinegar.
Food cooked in a fleishig pot may be eaten during the nine days.
One may drink beer or port during the nine days.
The wine/grape juice of havdalah is customarily given to a child; if none are present, one may drink the wine.
We do not bathe or swim during the nine days.
Children under the age of six may bathe in hot water.
If one
regularly
goes to the mikveh before davening or on erev shabbos, it is permitted to continue this practice during the nine days.
One may wash parts of the body, the face, hands and legs with cold water during the nine days.
If one perspires heavily or feels unclean it is permitted to bathe the soiled area or if need be, the entire body. If the removal of dirt and perspiration requires soap and hot water, one may do so.
If hot water isn't necessarily required to remove the perspiration, etc, lukewarm water may be added in order to take the chill out of the cold water. The water should be cold enough that one doesn't derive pleasure from the warmth of the water.
If you have a specific shailah regarding rosh chodesh, the nine days, shabbos chazon or tisha b'av, please do not hesitate to contact me.
May we merit to see the final redemption speedily in our days, Amen.