Tisha B'Av - The Fast of the Ninth of Av

As the anniversary of the most tragic events in Jewish history, the ninth of Av is the most important day of mourning in the Jewish year. Other than Yom Kippur, it is the only fast day in the year that lasts a full night and day. All other fasts begin in the morning and end that night. Tisha B'Av begins at sundown and continues till the following nightfall. Tisha B'Av carries several additional prohibitions that are not required by the other fasts.

We are forbidden to eat or drink anything for the entire period. Anyone who has health problems with fasting should consult a rabbi.

It is forbidden to wash oneself, even just one finger. The only exception is the required washing upon rising in the morning and after using the bathroom. Even in these cases we may only wash until the knuckles. If one has soiled his hands he is permitted to clean the soiled area only.

It is forbidden to wear shoes made with leather.

Marital relations are forbidden.

With several exceptions, one may not study Torah on Tisha B'Av because the study of Torah brings joy. The exceptions are the book of Eichah (Lamentations), the book of Iyov (Job), the "bad" passages in Yirmiyah (Jeremiah) omitting the passages of consolation, and various Talmudic and Midrashic passages which deal with the destruction of the Holy Temples and with the laws of mourning. Even in these cases we are not permitted to study in depth.

We are not permitted to greet each other on Tisha B'Av, even to say good morning. If one encounters someone who is unaware of this law and greets you, it is best to tell him the law so he will not resent your non-response. If this is not possible then one should respond in a low voice and with a somber manner.

The night of Tisha B'Av and the following day until noon we sit on the ground or on a low stool.

It is best to avoid work on Tisha B'Av until noon.

One should not go for pleasurable walks or engage in any other activity that might distract from the mourning.

One should not smoke on Tisha B'Av. Someone who is very accustomed to smoking (i.e. addicted) may smoke in private after the hour of noon.

Although the fast itself does not begin until nightfall, certain aspects of the mourning of Tisha B'Av begin earlier. From noon and on it is best to refrain from Torah study in the same manner that one must on Tisha B'Av itself. Many authorities are lenient on this. Certainly one should not engage in frivolous activity but should prepare himself for the upcoming fast.

It is customary to eat a meal before Mincha (afternoon prayers). This meal carries no restrictions. It is customary to eat well at this meal in preparation for the fast, but care must be taken not to overeat so that one can eat the Seudah HaMafsekes comfortably.

After the Mincha prayers it is customary to eat the last meal. This meal is called the Seudah HaMafsekes (Separating Meal). It is forbidden to eat more than one cooked food at this meal. (Cooked includes any form of cooking even roasted, fried, or pickled.) Meat, wine and fish are forbidden. Intoxicating drinks should be completely avoided.

The meal is eaten sitting on the ground or a low seat. It is customary to eat a hardboiled egg (which serves as the cooked food). It is also customary to eat a piece of bread dipped into ashes and say, "This is the Tisha B'Av meal."

During the meal three men should not sit together so they will not have to recite the Birchas HaMazon (Grace after Meals) as a group. If they do eat together they still do not form a group.

When the eve of Tisha B'Av falls out on Shabbos, then none of these restrictions apply.

All of the prohibitions of Tisha B'Av begin at sundown. It is therefore necessary to remove one's leather shoes shortly before sundown.

It is customary to remove the paroches (curtain) from the aron hakodesh (Holy Ark) in the synagogue before Maariv (evening prayers). It is also customary to turn off the main lights in the synagogue and to pray by candlelight.

After Maariv is completed, the book of Eichah (Lamentations) is read aloud to the congregation. After Eichah is completed, the congregation recites Kinos, prayers of lamentation.

It is proper for a person to sleep in a less comfortable manner than he is accustomed to. If he usually sleeps with two pillows then he should sleep with only one. Some have to custom to sleep on the ground on the night of Tisha B'Av and to rest their head on a stone.

At Shacharis (morning prayers) on Tisha B'Av morning, talis and tefillin are not worn. (They are worn during Mincha instead.) The small tzitzis is still worn but no blessing is recited. Tachanun is not recited. The Torah is taken out and the portion of Devarim (Deuteronomy) 4:25-40 is read and the haftarah from Yeshayah (Isaiah) 8:13 - 9:23.

After the Torah reading the congregation recites Kinos. This should last till a little before noon. After Kinos the prayers are completed. Lamnatzeach and the second verse of Uvo L'Tzion (V'Ani Zos Brisi…) are skipped. Some do not say Shir Shel Yom now but wait till Mincha.

At Mincha we don talis and tefillin. The Torah is taken out and the standard portion and haftarah for fast days is read.

During Shemoneh Esrei the following prayer is inserted in the blessing of V'LeYerushalayim Ircha:

Tisha B'Av ends at night fall. This time is sometime after sundown (roughly an hour). There are several legitimate opinions in this matter; you should follow the custom in your area. If you are unsure then consult a rabbi.

Even though the fast ends that night, it is proper to not eat meat or bathe until noon the following day. This is because the Temple continued to burn into the tenth day.

When the ninth of Av falls out on Shabbos (Saturday) then the fast is postponed till Sunday. In such a case one need not abstain from meat and bathing the following day, but should still do so the following night.