LAWS OF THE THREE WEEKS - 5780
The three week period of national aveilus, mourning, referred to as,
"bein hamitzarim,"
between the straits or borders, begins Thursday, July 9, 2020, with the Fast of the 17th of Tamuz.
LAWS OF THE FAST DAY- SHIVA ASAR B'TAMUZ
- The fast begins the morning of Thursday, July 9, 2020 at 3:47 am.
- Men over the age of 13 and women over 12 must fast on the 17th of Tamuz.
- Pregnant or nursing women that feel weak and find it difficult to fast are absolved from fasting.
- Elderly/sick people are permitted to eat on this fast day. As always, a competent halachic authority should be consulted.
- One may rinse with listerine/mouthwash on the fast of 17th of Tamuz.
- One is permitted to take medication preferably without water on the fast day. If water is needed, consult a competent halachic authority.
- Bathing, showering and the like are permitted on the 17th of Tamuz.
LAWS OF THE THREE WEEKS
"
Hamitzarim
" also means difficult or painful, and references the time period between the historically tragic 17th of Tamuz and the 9th of Av.
This period of collective soul searching commemorates the destruction of a) both Temples in Jerusalem b) the disruption of Jewish kingship and c)
Am Yisroel's
long exile.
According to seforim, it's an appropriate time to do intensify Torah study and do teshuvah.
To help recall these events and to encourage yearning for the third bais hamikdash, our sages imposed restrictions on joyous events and limited certain pleasurable activities during this period.
These restrictions intensify over the three weeks, culminating with the fast of Tisha B'av.
The following are general rules for the three weeks. As we approach Shabbos Chazon and Tisha B'av, we will present those particular laws in a separate halachic primer.
- One may not marry during the three weeks. However, one may get "engaged" and even throw a party to celebrate his/her engagement.
- We refrain from listening to live music. According to many poskim, taped/recorded music is included in this prohibition. Small children may listen to music and a supervising parent may be present. Background music in a store or played during radio commercials are likewise permitted.
- We do not haircut or shave during this period. If one needs to haircut or shave for "livelihood" purposes, a Rabbi should be consulted. Cutting nails is permitted.
- We refrain from reciting the
shechiyanu
blessing during the three weeks on clothing or food. However, one may purchase new items and delay usage or consumption until after Tisha B'av.
- The
shechiyanu
blessing may be recited on
shabbos chazon
or rosh chodesh during the three week period.
- If a new food item will be unavailable at a later time, one may recite the
shechiyanu
and consume the food even on a weekday.
May we merit to witness the rebuilding of Jerusalem and the Ingathering of the exile speedily in our day! Amen.
