Monday 6 July 2015

When Tisha B'Av falls out on a Sunday

This year, Tisha B'Av falls on Shabbat. Since we are only permitted to fast on Shabbat when Yom Kippur coincides with Shabbat, the fast day is pushed off to Saturday night/Sunday. The following is a list of laws when Tisha B'Av falls on a Sunday or when Tisha B’Av is pushed off to Sunday.

This guide is for Sephardim only. This year we have the strange scenario of not having a real Shevua Shechal Bo - the week that Tisha B'Av falls in. As such this year there are a couple of extra leniencies. For Sephardim only, it is permitted to launder clothes, and take showers all the way up to Shabbat the day before Tisha B'Av. We still refrain from meat and wine from Rosh Hodesh Av or the 2nd of Av depending on your family custom. If you don't have a custom I recommend you keep from Rosh Hodesh.

In order to go into the fast looking unkempt, men still have the custom not to shave the week before Tisha B'Av. Because Erev Tisha B'Av is Shabbat the Seudah HaMafseket - the last meal before Tisha B'Av is a regular meal without any limitations. However, one must be careful to finish the meal before the fast starts. Please note that the fast begins before Shabbat ends. 

One is not allowed to prepare for Tisha B’Av on Shabbat. The restriction of eating and drinking begins on Shabbat but the leather shoe prohibition only begins after Shabbat goes out. Therefore on Friday afternoon you should bring non leather shoes to synagogue so that you can change into them before the reading of Eicha.