1.
Beginning of the Fast
The
fast as well as the other prohibitions begin from sundown – not nightfall (i.e.
when 3 stars come out), even though it is still Shabbat (Mishnah Berurah
552:24).
2.
Seudah Mafseket
It is
permissible to eat meat and drink wine and have a festive meal like King Shlomo
(Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 552:10).
And one does not eat an egg dripped in ashes as in a regular year. There are Poskim who say that one should
nonetheless eat the meal in a sorrowful manner without joy, and without
company, while other authorities permit acting as on all other Shabbatot, so
there is no public mourning on Shabbat (Mishnah Berurah #24). One must be careful, however, to complete the
meal before sunset (Mishnah Berurah ibid.).
3.
Removing Shoes
The
Rama (Orach Chaim 553:2) rules that on Tisha Be-Av which falls on Motzaei
Shabbat, we remove our shoes after Barechu of Maariv, since it is forbidden to
display any signs of mourning on Shabbat (Mishnah Berurah #6). The Rama adds, however, that the Shaliach
Tzibur removes his shoes before Barechu, after reciting "Baruch Ha-Mavdil
Bein Kodesh Le-Chol" (Mishnah Berurah Ibid. #7). The Mishnah Berurah (Ibid.) explains that he
does so in order not to become confused if he has to remove them after Barechu.
There
are however various problems which arise with this:
a. One
who brings his Tisha Be-Av shoes to Shul on Shabbat violates preparing on
Shabbat for a weekday.
b. When
one removes his shoes and puts on his Tisha Be-Av shoes, he must be careful not
to touch them, or he will be required to wash Netilat Yadayim.
c.
Everyone changing shoes impinges upon proper intention while Davening.
d. If
everyone changes their shoes (even if they brought them to Shul before Shabbat),
the Shul will be filled with shoes, which disgraces the holiness of the Shul.
It is
therefore preferable to act in the following manner: After nightfall (3 stars
coming out), before one leaves his house, each person says "Baruch
Ha-Mavdil Bein Kodesh Le-Chol" and puts on his Tisha Be-Av shoes (and see
Shut Yechaveh Daat 5:38). In order to do
so, Maariv should be delayed 15 minutes.
If one is unable to act in this manner, he should put on his Tisha Be-Av
shoes at home on Shabbat and walk to Shul in them so he is not preparing on
Shabbat for a weekday, since he is using them on Shabbat itself. Even though this seems to contradict the concept
of not displaying signs of mourning on Shabbat, our Sages allow one to wear
regular shoes on Tisha Be-Av if one is traveling or if one lives among non-Jews
and he fears being mocked (Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 554:17), and the same
leniency applies for the honor of Shabbat and he may wear his Tisha Be-Av shoes
on Shabbat.
4.
Kinot
One who
brings a Kinot book to Shul on Shabbat should learn a little from it so that he
does not prepare on Shabbat for a weekday.
5.
Havdalah
After
Maariv, before reciting Kinot, we recite only the blessing over seeing a candle
(and not the verses before Havdalah or the Berachot over wine and spices). If one does not recite the blessing then, he
should do so later that night upon seeing a candle or light. A woman should also recite this blessing if she
stays at home and her husband does not return until later. On Motzaei Tisha Be-Av (Sunday night), we
recite Havdalah only over wine, without a candle and spices (Shulchan Aruch,
Orach Chaim #556). We also do not recite
the verses before Havdalah.
6.
Eating
When
Tisha Be-Av is postponed until Sunday – those who are ill, nursing or pregnant
fast as long as it is not difficult for them.
If it is difficult for them, it is permissible for them to eat. There is no need to eat "Shiurim"
(minimum quantities), but one should eat simple foods.
Anyone
who eats should first recite Havdalah over grape juice.
7.
Motzaei Tisha Be-Av when Tisha Be-Av is Postponed
After
the fast, it is forbidden to eat meat and drink wine. It is permissible to drink wine during
Havdalah. It is permissible to do
laundry and get a haircut and shave. All
of the other Halachot of the Three Weeks no longer apply (Halichot Shlomo of
Ha-Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach Chapter 15, Dvar Halachah #26. Unlike the ruling of Ha-Rav Yechiel Michal
Tukachinsky in Luach Eretz Yisrael). In
the morning, all of the prohibitions of the Three Weeks are lifted.
May
Hashem continue the return of His Presence to Zion, and may the Beit Ha-Mikdash
be built speedily in our days.
