The Laws of Tisha B’Av
Those Exempt from the Fast
A sick person not in danger
א. A sick person not in danger, meaning one who has taken to bed or whose whole body is ill and who cannot function, is exempt from the fast. [1]
One who suffers from migraines
ב. One who suffers from migraines, if he feels headaches that may develop into a migraine, is exempt from the fast.
High fever
ג. One who has a temperature of 38°C is exempt from the fast.
Pregnant woman
ד. Pregnant women must fast; however, if the pregnancy is not normal or the hemoglobin is low, they are exempt from the fast, and a competent halachic authority should be consulted. [2]
Nursing woman
ה. Nursing women must fast and should prepare well during the two days before the fast by drinking plenty of sweet beverages. After the fast as well, it is recommended to drink generously, preferably sweetened drinks. However, if during the fast the baby will lack milk and needs it, she should drink normally. [3]
Woman after childbirth
ו. A woman within thirty days after childbirth is exempt from fasting, even if she is not nursing. [4]
Minors
ז. Children who have not reached the age of mitzvot are exempt from the fast. [5]
Meat and sweets
ח. Even one who does not fast should not eat meat or sweets. [6]
The Laws of the Fast
The prohibitions
ט. On Tisha B’Av it is forbidden to eat and drink, wash, anoint oneself, wear leather shoes, engage in marital relations, study Torah, and greet others. These matters are forbidden from sunset until nightfall of the following day. [7]
The Laws of Washing
The prohibition
י. Washing is forbidden on Tisha B’Av, whether with hot or cold water; it is even forbidden to place one’s finger in water. [8]
Removing dirt
יא. Washing in order to remove dirt is permitted. [9]
A child who became dirty
יב. If a child became dirty and needs to be washed, it is permitted to do so, even though the adult’s hands become wet while washing the child. [10]
Netilat yadayim
יג. The morning washing of the hands is performed three or four times — each according to his custom — only up to the end of the finger joints. [11]
A sick person and a minor
יד. A sick person and a minor wash their hands before eating bread as usual, and likewise wash mayim acharonim as usual. Kohanim before duchening wash their hands as usual. [12]
Washing the eyes
טו. It is forbidden in the morning to wash the eyes with water in order to clean them; only after drying one’s hands from the morning washing, while the hands are still somewhat moist, may one pass them over the eyes. [13]
Rinsing the mouth
טז. Rinsing the mouth is permitted only in a case of great discomfort, and one must be careful to tilt the head downward so as not to swallow water. The same applies to brushing with toothpaste: it is permitted only in a case of great discomfort. [14]
After using the restroom
יז. One who relieved himself, whether for a major or minor need, if he is now about to pray, washes his hands up to the end of the finger joints. If he is not praying now, the poskim dispute whether he may wash his hands; therefore, ideally he should touch covered parts of the body, and then according to all opinions he may wash his hands. [15]
Washing foods
יח. When cooking and needing to wash foods, it is permitted to wash them even though one’s hands become wet as a result. Likewise, one may wash dishes needed for cooking for the evening. [16]
A bride within thirty days
יט. A bride within thirty days of her wedding may wash her face so that she not become unattractive to her husband. [17]
The Laws of Anointing
Definition
כ. It is forbidden to anoint oneself with oil or soap, even on part of the body, for pleasure; therefore it is forbidden to apply makeup or perfume on Tisha B’Av, except for a bride within thirty days of her wedding, so that she not become unattractive to her husband. [18]
For medical need
כא. Anointing for medical purposes is permitted; therefore one may apply ointment to a wound, lip balm to lips cracked from dryness, and even apply mosquito repellent. [19]
Removing filth
כב. Anointing in order to remove filth is permitted; therefore one may use deodorant to prevent a bad smell, since this is not done for pleasure. But if it is done for a pleasant fragrance, it is forbidden. [20]
Wearing Shoes
Definition
כג. It is forbidden to wear footwear made of leather, and even if it is only coated with leather, it is forbidden. [21]
Shoes for children
כד. Regarding a child’s shoes, the Chochmat Adam rules that there is no obligation of chinuch for a minor on Tisha B’Av in this matter, since it involves discomfort; however, nowadays, when alternative non-leather shoes are readily available, one should be careful even with a minor, even one who has not reached the age of chinuch, that he not wear leather shoes.
Greeting Others
Saying “shalom”
כה. It is forbidden to say “shalom” to another person on Tisha B’Av, and it is even forbidden to say “good morning” [22]; however, blessing another person with expressions such as “success” or “mazal tov” is permitted.
Responding
כו. Laypeople who do not know and offer greetings may be answered softly and with seriousness. [23]
Nodding the head
כז. It is permitted to nod one’s head as a sign of greeting.
Matters Permitted to Study and Read on Tisha B’Av
Tractate Moed Katan
כח. It is permitted to study Tractate Moed Katan, chapter three, and Shulchan Aruch, the laws of mourning. [24]
Tractate Ta’anit
כט. It is also permitted to study the end of Tractate Ta’anit, the laws applicable on Tisha B’Av, and the corresponding laws in Shulchan Aruch. [25]
Aggadot of the destruction
ל. Likewise, the aggadot of the destruction in Tractates Gittin and Sanhedrin may be studied — all matters related to the destruction. [26]
Distressing matters
לא. It is permitted to read the book Yosippon, as well as Eichah, Midrash Eichah and its commentaries, distressing passages in Yirmiyahu while skipping verses of consolation, and Iyov and its commentaries. [27]
Books of calamity
לב. It is also permitted to read books on the history of the Jewish people during periods of various decrees and persecutions, as well as books about the Holocaust. [28]
Books of mussar
לג. It is permitted to read books of mussar. [29]
Tehillim
לד. The poskim dispute whether it is permitted to recite Tehillim; one may be lenient for women or on behalf of a sick person. [30]
Time of the prohibition
לה. All the laws written above from section י onward are prohibited by strict law, and therefore apply throughout Tisha B’Av from sunset until nightfall the following day. Below it will be explained that some matters are forbidden due to custom — sitting on the ground and the prohibition of work — and the custom is to prohibit them until midday.
The continuation discusses the customs of sitting on the ground, the prohibition of work, tallit and tefillin on Tisha B’Av, the laws after the fast, the laws when Tisha B’Av falls on Shabbat or Motzaei Shabbat, havdalah for one who eats during the fast with permission, and the order of the prayers, in accordance with the cited sources.
