This year, as Tisha B'Av and Shabbat coincide, many of the restrictions normally observed on Erev Tisha B'Av are modified. In general, public mourning is prohibited on Shabbat, but private expressions of mourning are permitted in many cases. Accordingly, when Tisha B'Av falls out on Shabbat, marital relations are prohibited unless Friday night is mikvah night. Torah study, normally severely curtailed after midday on the day before Tisha B'Av, is permitted throughout the day when Shabbat and Tisha B'Av coincide. One may still host company for Shabbat meals, and sing zemirot, and meals may be meat. However, one should not have company for Seudah Shlishit unless one typically does so. At Seudah Shlishit and throughout the Shabbat meals, one is permitted to bentch with a zimmun. Similarly, one does not consume the traditional Seudah mafseket meal, which normally consists of bread and an egg dipped in ashes. Instead, one is encouraged to partake of a robust Seudah Shlishit repast which may include meat products. Mincha will be earlier on Shabbat afternoon (5:00 PM) to allow ample time to consume this meal at home.
Starting at sunset, only drinking, eating and washing are prohibited, but one is still permitted to sit in a chair of regular height and to wear normal footwear. Once Shabbat is over, the following are prohibited as well: studying Torah (other than those portions which address the destruction or the laws of mourning); applying oils, creams, or fragrances for pleasure; engaging in marital relations; bathing and wearing leather shoes. The fast begins at sundown (8:21 P.M.), at which point it is no longer permitted to eat. However, Shabbat is still not over, and therefore, one may not change into Tisha B'Av shoes or weekday clothing until Shabbat ends (9:02 P.M.)
While Havdalah is not recited, those who have a legitimate reason not to fast must make havdalah before eating, consisting of grape juice or beer and limited to about two or three ounces. After nightfall on Saturday night, one should recite "ברוך המבדיל בין קדש לחל", Baruch Hamavdil bein Kodesh Lechol, and change into Tisha B'Av attire, including cloth shoes and previously worn garments. Maariv will be later (9:20) to allow for arrival at shul afterward for Maariv and Eichah. When Tisha B'Av falls out on Sunday, the customary Havdalah is not recited until Sunday evening after the conclusion of the fast. However, after Maariv prior to the reading of Eichah we take two candles and recite the blessing of בורא מאורי האש, Boreh Me'orei Ha'eish. At the conclusion of the fast, one recites Havdalah over a beverage that isn't wine (beer, tea etc.), and only recites the blessing over the beverage and the blessing of המבדיל בין קדש לחל, Hamavdil bein Kodesh leChol. At the conclusion of the fast on Sunday, one is not allowed to eat before making Havdalah.
Pregnant, nursing, and postpartum women, as well as the infirm, should seek additional guidance about fasting.
Because we are all mourners on Tisha B'Av, we behave accordingly: we refrain from offering greetings the entire day, sit on low chairs until midday (1:32 PM) and limit business dealings. In addition to the everyday prayers in the morning, we recite Kinnot, poems of lament and mourning, and delay wearing tallit and tefillin until Mincha.
Post Tisha B’Av
Because Tisha B'Av observance is delayed on account of Shabbat, most of the restrictions of the Nine Days, which normally continue through midday on the tenth of Av, don't continue into the next day as they normally would. Therefore, one is permitted to shave, get a haircut and do laundry immediately upon the conclusion of the fast, though meat, wine (aside from Havdalah) and listening to music are still avoided until the following morning.
"Whoever mourns over Jerusalem shall merit to witness its rejoicing" (Ta'anit 30a). May our observance of this sad time enable us to merit greeting Tisha B'Av in the future with rejoicing at the rebuilding of the Temple and the return of God's presence to our midst.
Wishing you a meaningful fast,
Rabbi Ariel Rackovsky
Congregation Shaare Tefilla 6131 Churchill Way Dallas, TX 75230
