When Tishah B’Av is observed on Sunday, 2016 (5776)

Prepared for Southeast Hebrew Congregation, Silver Spring MD

by Rabbi Mordechai Rhine

 

On Erev Shabbos: A shower may be taken, but it should be a bit cooler/shorter than usual.

The Friday night meal may include meat and wine. This is true even for those who accept Shabbos early, as well as to those feeding young children their “Friday night meal” on Friday afternoon before candle-lighting.

Items that you will want in shul right after Shabbos, should be brought to shul before Shabbos. This includes Tisha B’Av footwear, Kinnos, and low chairs. These should be stored outside of the main shul and Beis Medrash.

On Shabbos: Marital Relations are restricted, unless it is Mikvah Night.

Torah study is permitted throughout Shabbos. After Halachic Noon (which this Shabbos in White Oak, MD is 1:12pm) some recommend that learning that is both Shabbos and Tishah B’Av compatible should be chosen. This could include Novi or Tehillim.

Mincha will take place at 3:00pm and at 5:30pm. The 3:00 Mincha is followed by a 15 minute shiur in Mesilas Yesharim.

Eating/drinking may be done until sunset (8:05pm). The traditional Seudah Hamfsekes is not observed on Shabbos.

A Shabbos Shiur will take place at 8:15pm in shul, discussing the Haftorah of Tishah B’Av and the Kinnos.

As Shabbos Ends: Sitting low, changing clothes, and carrying Tishah B’Av seforim/books/chairs may not be done until after Shabbos is over (in White Oak, MD at 8:55pm) and one has recited “Boruch Hamavdil Bein Kodesh Lichol.” (If one will learn from a sefer before Shabbos is over, it may be carried.) If one is in shul without proper footwear, one may simply remove leather shoes while in the building, and put them back on to get home safely.

Maariv will begin at 9:00pm.

Havdalah: For those fasting, it is limited to “Ato Chonantonu” in Maariv. One who is not davening Maariv (or forgot to say “Ato Chonantonu”)  should recite “Boruch Hamavdil Bein Kodesh Lichol”.

The blessing on fire will be recited in shul before Eicha. If one is not in shul at that time (or is not close enough to the flame to benefit,) this blessing can be recited on a flame at home.

Eicha will begin at 9:15pm

At the conclusion of Kinnos, right before the final words of comfort, we will recite the Kinnah of Rav Shimon Schwab for the Holocaust.

On Tisha B’Av: For those authorized to eat on Tishah B’Av, Havdalah should be recited before eating. This involves the blessing on the beverage and the final (main) blessing of Havdalah. (Introductory verses “Hinei Keil” and the blessing for spices are not said.) When Havdalah is said on Tishah B’Av wine/grape juice should not be used. Instead a Chamar Medina beverage (such as orange juice) should be used. Likewise, for those eating on Tishah B’Av, meat/chicken should not be eaten.

Medicine: Swallowing a pill without liquid is permitted as necessary. Eating/drinking for health considerations should be discussed with a doctor and Rabbi.

Greetings: On this day of national mourning we do not initiate “Greetings”. Instead a simple acknowledgement of the other person may be done with a gentle nod.  If we are greeted, a soft/gentle response (as opposed to a hearty greeting)is appropriate.

Shacharis: We do not put on Talis or Teffilin. Talis Koton (Tzitzis) are worn.

Kinnos are recited. Special introductions and explanations form the program for Kinnos that will go until about 1:00pm, at which point we will complete Shacharis.

After Chatzos/Noon: (in White Oak, MD at 1:13pm) It is permissible to sit on a regular chair. Restrictions on business and preparation for after the fast are relaxed. Teffilin may be worn, and are worn at Mincha.

Mincha is at 1:45pm. A special program (please see the SAP) follows for the remainder of the day.

Later Mincha is at 7:30pm followed by Maariv. There is no later Maariv.

After the fast: The fast is over in White Oak, MD at 8:54. At this time Havdalah is recited. Although meat, chicken, wine, and grape juice are restricted on the night following the fast, grape juice/wine  may be used for Havdalah. These items, as well as music, are permitted on Monday morning.

Bathing, washing clothes, and haircuts are permitted on Sunday night.

 

May our mourning the loss of the Beis Hamikdash be accepted.

May Yerusholayim in all of its glory be rebuilt in our time.