The 9th of Av, Tisha b’Av, commemorates a list of catastrophes so severe it’s clearly a day specially cursed by G‑d.
The First Temple was destroyed on the 9th of Av (423 BCE). Five centuries later (in 69 CE), as the Romans drew closer to the Second Temple, ready to torch it, the Jews were shocked to realize that their Second Temple was destroyed the same day as the first.
As part of our mourning for the destruction of the Temple and the exile of Israel, we abstain from many pleasurable activities on the night and day of Av 9—starting with sundown on the eve of the day before, and concluding with the following nightfall.
Specifically we don’t:
– Eat or drink. All adults – even pregnant and nursing women – fast on this day. One who is ill should consult with a rabbi. An ill person who is not fasting should refrain from eating delicacies and should eat only that which is absolutely necessary for his physical wellbeing.
– Wear leather footwear, or footwear that contains any leather (even if it is only a leather sole).
– Sit on a normal-height chair until midday. (“Halachic” midday is the halfway point between sunrise and sunset; click here for the exact time for your location.)
– Bathe or wash oneself—”even to insert a finger in cold water.”
Exceptions:
One who becomes soiled may rinse the affected area with cold water.
It is permitted to wash up after using the restroom.
When preparing food – for children, or for the post-fast meal – one may wash the food, even if it also, incidentally, washes the hands.
When ritually washing the hands in the morning, the water should be poured on the fingers only until the knuckle joints.
– Apply ointment, lotions or creams.
It is permissible, however, to bathe a baby and apply ointments to his skin.
– Engage in any form of intimacy.
– Send gifts, or even greet another with the customary “hello” or “how are you doing?”
– Engage in outings, trips or similar pleasurable activities.
– Wear fine festive clothing.
– Study Torah, because “the commandments of G‑d are upright, causing the heart to rejoice” (Psalms 19:9). It is, however, permitted – and encouraged – to study sections of the Torah which discuss the laws of mourning, the destruction of the Temples, and the tragedies which befell the Jewish people throughout our history. This prohibition actually begins at midday of the day before Tisha b’Av.
“One who mourns Jerusalem will merit to see her happiness, as the verse (Isaiah 66:10) promises: ‘Rejoice with her greatly, all who mourn for her'”—Talmud Taanit 30b.
There is a very clear sicha that the Rebbe says that the concept of “born on tisha B’av” means that the potential for the immediate revelation of moshiach is brought into the world on the day of tisha b’av – and specifically at the time of mincha – for this was the exact time that actual destruction occured – when the fires were set, and this is also the time that the entire process of golus and exile would be transformed through the geula sheliema – through moshiach. Because this golus is for an elevation of a much greater level… Read more »
amen!! let moshiach come BEFOREtonight….i have enough of all this ridiculous aggrivating people harrasing lubavitch and our Rebbe – let Hashem just openly show all yidden the truth!!!
Who says we even have to have THIS tisha b’av?? Moshiach could come right now!!! 🙂
noone said it’s a deffinant fact like different ways moshiach will take us to eretz israel it doesn’t have to be 9 months exaaclly calculated to the day …..
hopefully, this will be the LAST tisha b’av
amen
If you read the Halochos above, you will notice that it is prohibited to engage in all forms of intimacy on Tisha B’av.
It would be a good idea to think – just for a second, before writing such a thing.
good point.
Good question. I think the way out is That from Tisha BAv till the 9th month of pregnancy is Yud Alef Nissan.
how does this go along with those who say that the Rebbe is Moshiach if He wasn’t born on Tisha b’av?? (someone please answer).
Should ask their rav if they have to fast.
From Hashem, only good comes forth. Moshiach was also born on this day.Perhaps a different wording for the description of this day rather than ” it’s clearly a day specially cursed by G‑d. ”
May these days turn into happy days & may we speedily merit the Geulah Sheleimo
thanks for the quick review. MOSHIACH NOW and col should post the revised halachos