Nine Days IV - Rules for Tisha B'Av

Rules for Tisha B'Av

As per the Shulchan Arukh (SA) and Mishnah Brurah (MB)

Compiled by Rabbi Avi Billet

The Fast Begins

1. Even if one ate the FINAL meal, it is permissible to eat afterwards unless one explicitly stated (doesn't have to be these words) "I am finished eating, and I am eating no more." A thought process to this effect is meaningless, according to Rama – it is only applicable if it was expressed aloud. MB records that the Vilna Gaon and Ba"ch disagree, believing that a non-verbal acceptance of this nature is binding on the individual. However, MB concludes (553:1) that there is a difference as well between a "thought in the mind" and "acceptance of the heart." If one thinks, "OK, I'm done. I am full and I don't need to eat more," that is meaningless. But if one accepts in one's heart, "I am finished eating. The fast begins for me now" – this is binding.
2. Regardless, if no declaration or "kabbalah b'lev" has been made, the fast begins at sundown.
3. Some recommended medical guidelines for how to prepare and go about fasting (for YK, I know, but applicable all the same)

The mourning of Tisha B'Av is comparable to the mourning of "Shiva," with the added provision of fasting

Restrictions of the Night and Day (exceptions to follow)

1. Eating and Drinking – includes brushing teeth, gargling, and even sipping water
2. Washing – showers, bathing, swimming
3. Anointing – using oils or perfumes that are rubbed onto the body
4. Shoes – leather shoes are not to be worn
5. Marital Relations are forbidden
6. Until mid-day, we sit on the floor or low chair
7. Until mid-day we do not wear tallis and tefillin
8. Intense Torah learning

Exceptions

1. Eating and Drinking - A person with a medical condition who must eat yet wants to fast can have 1.5 oz of liquid every 9 minutes. See these two sources for information about eating on Yom Kippur (similar rules have been accepted regarding Tisha B'Av) http://www.star-k.org/kashrus/kk-issues-measurements.htm (half way down the article); and http://vbm-torah.org/archive/moadim69/29-69moed.htm [see also Biur Halakha 554 * דבמקום חולי וכו' - עיין בספר פתחי עולם דבמקום שאין המחלה של חלערי"א חזקה ח"ו יאכל פחות מככותבת בכדי אכילת פרס וכן בשתיה כמ"ש השיעורי' בשו"ע סימן תרי"ח (כך יש להורות לשואל בט"ב שבזה לא נעקר התענית לגמרי ורחמנא ליבא בעי) ומי שירצה להתענות במקום שאין המחלה בזעם ח"ו יש ליועצו ולהזהירו שלא ילך מפתח ביתו כל היום ולהכריחו כשיצא ישא סביב לחוטמו ופיו חתיכה קאמפע"ר ומעט עשב מיאט"ע עכ"ל]: 
2. A person who must eat because of peril or real danger should drink/eat – no questions asked. Sakanas Nefashos trumps all.
3. Washing – one may wash hands after using the restroom. Certainly if hands are dirty, they may be washed. Some have the custom of only washing fingers until the knuckles for "netilat yadayim" upon waking in the morning. Depending on the nature of the post-restroom-use-washing needs, one should try to wash only the fingers, unless necessary to wash the whole hand as noted above.
4. Anointing – Deodorant is permitted, though one should apply only what is needed and avoid excess. Perfume and cologne are not recommended.
5. Shoes – a leather adornment to a shoe, which, if removed, does not change the shoe in any way, does not disqualify the shoe. Thankfully there are many options for shoes – between canvas sneakers, crocs, slippers, etc
6. M.R. – Sorry. No exceptions.
7. Floor Seating – Children who are eating need not sit on low chairs. Elderly or infirm who experience extreme discomfort need not sit on low chairs. However, we are not as strict about this (MB 559:10). Rama says we can sit on regular seats once Shacharis is over, though we try to lengthen the davening so it will end closer to mid-day (559:3). Acharonim allowed a person to place a cloth or small pillow beneath oneself (MB 559:11) or to sit on a low chair
8. Tallis – Those who wear tzitzis under their clothes should put them on without a bracha (555:1)
9. Learning – Iyov, the bad parts of Yirmiyahu, Midrash Eichah, and commentaries on Eichah and Iyov (554:1-2). One may study the Kinos in depth. Some have the custom to read the story of Kamza and Bar Kamza (Gittin 55b). As Rabbi Soloveitchik used to say, if one needs to learn Torah on Tisha B'Av, "This should be our biggest aveirah."

Other Practices

1. Some have the custom to make night time sleeping a little less comfortable through sleeping on the floor, or not using a pillow (a custom of putting a rock under one's head/pillow is also recorded (551:2))
2. One should avoid greeting people ("Shalom Aleichem" and "How are you doing?" etc). If someone accidentally greets you or doesn't know, it is OK to respond courteously, but briefly. No need to tell the person not to greet others.
3. Changes in davening are recorded in the siddur. Please note: No תתקבל in Kaddish; omit: Pitum Haktoret, Tachanun, קל ארך אפים, למנצח, the verse of ואני זאת בריתי  (in ובא לציון); Add נחם and עננו at Mincha
4. One who needs to work on Tisha B'Av may, but one should try to put in fewer hours (554:22) [working on Tisha B'Av is nonetheless less than desirable (554:24)]
5. One who will lose a lot of money should follow the practices of working on Chol Hamoed (554:23)

After the Nine Days are over

1. According to the Shulchan Arukh, one may cut one's hair and do laundry immediately after the fast ends. (551:4) MB records a minhag (custom) not to cut the hair or do laundry until midday on the 10^th of Av. (551:37)
2. MB says that eating meat and drinking wine are certainly permitted right away (551:36).
3. Shulchan Arukh says (558) not to eat meat or drink wine all of the 10^th of Av, while Rama says this stringency need not extend past midday on the 10^th of Av.
4. MB (558:3) adds washing one's body to the list of activities that resume at midday on the 10^th.
5. One who has been showering regularly during the 9 days, for need (as opposed to for pleasure) may continue the 9 days practice which was suspended for Tisha B'Av.
6. If there is a tremendous need or time constraint and laundry needs to be done the evening that Tisha B'Av is over, it may be done. If one can wait until midday on the 10^th, that is preferred.

May we all merit that this Tisha B'Av be the last, with the coming of the Final Redemption