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Wednesday Night – Thursday Night
Tisha B’Av
July 22–23 • 9 Av 5786
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Wednesday, July 22
Mincha & Eicha Service 7:45 pm
Fast Begins 7:55 PM
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Thursday, July 23
SHACHARIT 6:25 am
MINCHA & TORAH READING 7:00 pm
Fast Ends 8:22 PM
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Tisha B’Av is the day on which we mourn the destruction of both Batei Mikdash and the beginning of our long exile. The mourning begins before the fast and continues throughout the night and day.
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Before the Fast — Wednesday
Torah study: Beginning at halachic midday, regular Torah study is limited to subjects connected with the Churban, mourning, Iyov, Eichah, and other permitted topics.
Seudah Hamafseket: Eat a full meal earlier. Shortly before the fast, eat the traditional simple meal of bread and a hard-boiled egg dipped in ashes while seated on a low chair or the floor. Birkat Hamazon is recited individually, without a zimun. All eating and drinking must finish by 7:55 PM.
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The Five Principal Restrictions
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No eating or drinking from the beginning until the end of the fast.
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No bathing or washing for pleasure. In the morning, wash only the fingers up to the knuckles. One may wash an area that became dirty, wash after using the restroom as necessary, and wash food while preparing it.
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No anointing for pleasure, including applying lotions, creams, oils, or ointments. Medical needs and caring for a baby are permitted.
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No leather footwear, including shoes with leather components or leather soles.
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No marital relations or other forms of physical intimacy.
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Additional Laws of Mourning
Low seating: Sit on the floor or a low chair from the start of the fast until halachic midday on Thursday. After midday, regular chairs may be used.
Torah study: Regular Torah learning remains restricted until the fast ends. Permitted study includes Eichah and its commentaries, Iyov, the laws of mourning and Tisha B’Av, and accounts of the Churban and Jewish suffering.
Greetings and gifts: Do not offer customary greetings such as “hello,” “good morning,” or “how are you?” Gifts are also avoided.
Pleasure and entertainment: Avoid music, shows, recreational reading, outings, trips, and other pleasurable or distracting activities. Fine or festive clothing is not worn.
Work: Time-consuming work should not be done before midday except when truly necessary. Although work is permitted after midday, it is best to keep the day focused on mourning, prayer, and teshuvah.
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Prayer and Daily Practice
Wednesday night: Maariv is followed by the reading of Eichah and Kinot.
Thursday morning: Do not rinse the mouth or brush the teeth. After washing the fingers to the knuckles, the remaining moisture may be used to wipe the eyes. The morning blessing She’asah Li Kol Tzorki is omitted.
Tallit and tefillin: Men do not wear tallit and tefillin at Shacharit; they are worn at Mincha. Tzitzit are worn throughout the day.
Other customs: Tachanun is omitted. Nachem and Aneinu are added at Mincha as applicable, and it is customary to give additional tzedakah on a fast day.
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Health and Fasting
Healthy adults of bar or bat mitzvah age fast, including pregnant and nursing women. Anyone who is ill, takes medication, is pregnant or nursing and feels weak, recently gave birth, or has any medical concern should speak with both a rabbi and a physician before the fast. Children below bar or bat mitzvah are not obligated to complete the full fast. One who is instructed not to fast should eat only what is needed for health and should still observe the other laws to the extent possible.
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After the Fast
Before eating, wash the entire hands in the usual alternating manner, without reciting a blessing.
Because the Beit Hamikdash continued burning into the 10th of Av, the restrictions of the Nine Days continue until halachic midday on Friday. Since Friday is Erev Shabbat, bathing, laundry, and haircuts needed for Shabbat may be done Friday morning. Meat, wine, music, and the remaining Nine Days restrictions continue until midday Friday.
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May this Tisha B’Av be transformed immediately into a festival of joy, with the revelation of Melech HaMoshiach and the rebuilding of the Third Beit Hamikdash.
Read the Full Tisha B’Av Guide
For personal circumstances or halachic questions, please contact Rabbi Mendel Polichenco.
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