The Shabbat Before Tish’a beAb

Tonight we begin a special Shabbat called:  “Shabbat Chazon” , the Shabbat previous to the 9th of Ab.

From Saturday night, we begin a period of mourning that goes in-crescendo until Tish’a BeAb — the Jewish National Day of Mourning. In addition to all the restrictions we kept since the 17 of Tamuz, as of Saturday night we stop shaving, refraining from taking hot baths or showers, refraining from washing our clothes or even wearing a freshly washed cloth.

Saturday morning we read a special Haftara, CHAZON YESHA’AYA, which gives the name to our Shabbat. This text, Isaiah 1:1-27 , is a prophetic vision of Yesha’ayahu haNabi in which he rebukes the people of Israel, and particularly the citizens of Yerushalayim, for their lack of integrity and their corruption. This Haftara describes the sins that made HaShem ignoring people’s prayers and eventually allow His Bet haMiqdash (the First Bet haMiqdash) to be destroyed. By reading and remembering what our ancestors did wrong, we can reflect on our own behavior, change and improve our actions and merit to seeing our Bet haMiqdash built again.

Among the many points he raised, the prophet discussed religious hypocrisy.

He said  (Chapter 1:15) “When you raise your hands in prayer, I will hide my eyes [I will ignore you]. You would be offering many prayers, but I will not listen to them. “
The prophet tells us that sometimes HaShem ignores us and flatly rejects our prayers. Fortunately, Yesha’ayahu also explains to us in what circumstances HaShem rejects our prayers. (1:15)  I will not listen to your prayers because “… your hands are full of blood.”
Yesha’ayahu denounced the hypocrisy of some corrupt people, who killed, robbed, cheated in their businesses, practiced bribery to corrupt justice, did not help the widows, did not defend the orphans or assisted the poor … and still expected God to listen and answer their prayers! Yesha’ayahu denounced these people, who offered sacrifices to God as if HaShem could be coerced or bribed by gifts or offerings. They had a very childish, immature and pagan idea of God.
Yesha’ayahu explained to them that there cannot be a divorce between what we do and how God responds to our prayers. HaShem did not listen to their prayers and rejected their sacrifices because their behavior was horrible. They came to Bet haMiqdash after practicing all kind of immoralities and acted as if nothing had happened, or as if HaShem did not know what they actually did. Yesha’ayahu told them categorically: HaShem knows what you do and rejects the prayer of the corrupt.
Yesha’ayahu also told them that they are not doomed forever: if a corrupt person repents and improves his o her behavior, HaShem will accept him back. In order for that situation to be reversed and for God to be willing to listen to their prayers, Yesha’ayahu told them what to do: (1:16-17)
“Wash yourselves, purify yourselves [from your evil deeds]. Stop doing evil, learn to practice righteousness, seek justice, defend the oppressed and fight for the cause of the orphan, plead for the widows.”
When HaShem sees these good deeds, He will listen to our prayers.
SHABBAT SHALOM



9 of Ab: Pregnant women and other exemptions for the day of fast

In the aftermath of the destruction of the Bet-haMiqdash the Prophets of Israel established that the 9th of Ab will be declared a Day of Fasting.  In Tish’a be-Ab we don’t eat or drink for a whole day, similar to Yom Kippur.
The fast will take place this year from Monday night July 31st until Tuesday night August 1st.
The fast of Tish’a be-Ab should be observed by all those who are in good health.
Exceptions:
Yoledet: During the first 30 days after birth or after a miscarriage a woman is exempted from fasting on the 9th of Ab.
Pregnant and nursing women: Similar to Yom Kippur, pregnant and nursing women observe this fast. In cases of complicated pregnancies or physical weakness, or if the pregnant mother is worried that fasting will affect her health or her baby’s health, she should ask her doctor before the fast-day and proceed as the physician recommends. If during the fast a pregnant woman feels sick, especially if she is vomiting or having any signs of dehydration, she should break the fast and drink or eat immediately. However, mild dizziness and nausea that can be coped with by lying down on a couch or a bed are considered normal.    These are general rules for normal pregnancies, but every case is different. Please, ask your rabbi for your specific case. 
Hole She-en Bo Sakana: People with a chronic disease like diabetes or patients under treatment or someone with high fever should not observe the fast. In some cases, when is not possible to fast for 24 hours Rabbis would recommend trying to fast from dawn until the end of the day, as if it was the 17 of Tamuz or 10 of Tebet.
Elders: Should consult with their physicians to make sure that the fast will not affect their health. If it will, they are exempted (or forbidden) from fasting.
Minors: Boys younger than thirteen years old and girls younger than twelve are exempt from fasting. Unlike Yom Kippur, there is no need for children to fast for a few hours. The reason is that while we do educate our children to fast on Yom Kippur as part of a teshuba (=repentance) process, we do not educate our children to mourn for the Bet haMiqdash before they formally need to. Because hopefully this will be the last year we mourn for the Bet haMiqdash and training will be unnecessary.
When allowed to eat during Tish’a be-Ab for health reasons, one should eat only whatever is necessary for his or her health, and not for pleasure or in excess.

 



Mourning, on Tish’a beAb

Tish’a beAb is a day of fasting and it is also a day of collective national mourning. During Tish’a beAb we behave as mourners grieving a loved one who just passed away.  To express or reach this emotional state of grief, during Tish’a beAb (from Saturday night August 13th, after Shabbat is over, until Sunday 14th at nightfall) we avoid engaging in certain activities from which we derive a physical pleasure, activities associated with happiness or which would distract us from the mood of mourning.
Some examples
LIMUD TORA: On Tish’a beAb we refrain from studying Tora, because studying Tora is a joyous and pleasurable activity. We might read and study books or texts with a sad content, such as the book of Iyob or Ekha, some passages of the book of Jeremiah or some Psalms, masekhet mo’ed qatan, etc.
WORK:  On Tish’a beAb it is not advised to work because working would divert our minds from the feeling of grief. Refraining from work on Tish’a beAb, however, is not a formal prohibition but rather a tradition some communities have adopted and some have not (minhag hamaqom) and it also depends on each individual’s financial or professional situation. In any case, if one would incur in significant losses or if one’s job position will be compromised, it is permitted to work.
SHE-ELAT SHALOM: On Tish’a beAb we don’t greet each other as usual, because our mood is, or should be, a mourner’s mood. If someone greets us, we can discreetly and politely acknowledge the gesture.
SITTING ON THE FLOOR: The general custom is that during the reading of Megilat Ekha people don’t sit on the Synagogue’s benches but on the floor, like mourners do during the shib’a (the first  seven days of Jewish mourning), while the lights are dimmed.
REHITSA (Washing) Same as Yom Kippur, taking a shower, bathing or washing for pleasure is forbidden on Tish’a beAb. However, if a part of the body is unclean we can wash it. Brushing our teeth or washing our mouth is not permitted on Tish’a beAb. Except in a situation of great distress. In such case, one should bend the head downward when washing the mouth to avoid swallowing any liquid (Rabbi Obadya Yosef z”l).  It is permitted to use baby wipes to clean one’s face, eyes, hands, etc. because this type of cleaning is not considered “washing”. Technically we could wash our hands normally in the morning for Netilat Yadayim, because we do it for a Mitsva and not for pleasure. The standard Sephardic custom, however, is to wash only the fingers for Netilat Yadayim.
SIKHA (Using creams) Using creams or ointments for pleasure or comfort is not permitted on Tish’a beAb. Medical creams or oils are permitted. Using deodorant is permitted.
NE’ILAT HASANDAL (Leather shoes) Leather shoes are dress shoes and therefore they are considered a luxurious item. During the day of National mourning then, we don’t wear leather shoes. We should wear sneakers or another type of footwear made of fabric, plastic, etc. Other leather items, like a leather belt or a leather Kipa could be worn.
TASHMISH HAMITA (Intimacy) Marital relations are suspended on Tish’a beAb. If the Mikve night falls on the night of Tish’a beAb, i.e., Saturday, August 13th at night, the Mikve has to be postponed for the following night .
TEFILIN: We do not use Tefilin in the morning of Tish’a beAb. Tefilin is a signal of honor and pride, a crown in our heads which declares that we are the people of God. In most Sephardic communities men wear Talit and Tefilin just in Minha. In Syrian communities, the tradition is that before going to the Synagogue in the morning one says Qaddesh Li and Shema Israel at home with Talit and Tefilin. In other communities, men wear Tefilin and Tallit normally in the morning (=minhag Yerushalayim).
Halakhot of Tish’a beAb
Meat and wine during the nine days.



Eve of the 9 of Ab: preparing ourselves for 24 hours of mourning and fasting

Tish’a beAb, our national day of mourning, begins tonight Monday July 15th. In NYC the fast begins at 8:16pm and ends at 8:45pm (some communities have different times). 
This afternoon around 7:00pm we do the seu’da mafseqet, the last meal before the day-long fast.
This is virtually ‘a mourners meal’ and should consist of bread, eggs, lentils and water.  In some communities they would also serve rice with lentils or other variations.
What make this meal special is that:
1. We abstain from eating two different cooked dishes to express a mood of austerity by consuming only what is needed to endure the fast (Raw vegetables and fruits are not restricted).
2. The ancient custom is that everyone eats in solitude, with nozimun, sitting on the floor or on a low chair, like mourners do.
For Arbit, we chant the prayers with a sad tune, starting with ‘al neharot babel, the Psalm of the mourners for the Bet haMiqdash. In many Sephardic communities the Shema Israel is said with a sad intonation, instead of the regular ta’amim .
Then, we read Megilat Ekha, the book of Lamentations written by the Prophet Yrmiyahu in the aftermath of the destruction of the first Temple. You can find Megillat Ekha with ta’amim  here.
Then, we recite the Kinot. The Kinot are poems which describe different tragedies that we endured throughout our history.
At the end of the Kinot, sitting on the floor, with all lights dimmed, we declare with sadness: “Listen, oh our brothers of the house of Israel….today we count … 1945 years from the destruction of our Bet haMiqdash….”  (According to the traditional Sephardic account the second bet haMiqdash was destroyed 1945 years ago, in the year 68 of the Common Era).
  
May we all have an easy and meaningful fast.
May this be the last year we mourn for our Bet haMiqdash!
 See  here who is exempt from fasting on Tish’a be-Ab? 
See   here   “Restrictions on Tish’a be-Ab” (part 1) 
See   here  “Restrictions on Tish’a be-Ab” (part 2) 
See   here “What happened on Tish’a be-Ab?” 

 

Due to the expected hot weather in NY tomorrow people should take extra precautions to avoid dehydration. Like not been exposed to the sun and heat. Symptoms of dehydration are: vomiting, feeling very nauseated or very weak or light headed, despite lying down. 

 



9 of Ab: avoiding happiness on a day of mourning

Tish’a be-Ab is the Jewish National Day of Mourning. This year, it will be observed from Monday night July 15th until Tuesday night July 16th.  Tisha be-Ab is the saddest day of the Jewish calendar. Yesterday we explained that besides fasting we avoid activities that bring us pleasure or happiness as well as things that will distract us from a mood of grief and mourning.
Some examples:
WORK:  On Tish’a be-Ab it is not recommended to work. Working would divert our minds from a feeling of grief. Refraining from work on Tish’a be-Ab, however, is not a formal prohibition but rather on one’s community’s tradition (minhag hamaqom)  and in every individual’s financial or professional situation. In any case, it is permitted to work if one would incur in losses or if his or her job position will be compromised.   Our rabbis said that whoever works on Tish’a be-Ab unnecessarily won’t see from that day’s gains a source of blessing.  
LIMUD TORA: On Tish’a be-Ab we refrain from studying Tora, because studying Tora is considered a joyous and pleasurable activity. We only read and study books or texts with a ‘sad’ content such as the book of Iyob or Ekha, some Psalms, mo’ed qatan, etc.
TEFILIN: We do not use Tefilin in the morning. Tefilin is a signal of honor and pride: a crown in our heads which declares that we are the people of God. In most Sephardic  communities men wear Talit and Tefilin just in Minha. In Syrian communities the tradition is that before going to the Synagogue in the morning one says Qaddesh Li and the Shema Israel at home with Talit and Tefilin. In other communities men would wear Tefilin and Tallit as normal in the morning (minhag Yerushalayim).
SHE-ELAT SHALOM: We don’t greet each other as usual, because our mood is a mourner’s mood. If someone greets us, we can discreetly and politely acknowledge the gesture.
SITTING ON THE FLOOR: The general custom is that during the reading of Megilat Ekha people don’t sit on the Synagogue’s benches but on the floor, like mourners, while the lights are dimmed.Sitting on the floor is also an indication of mourning.
May we all soon rejoice for Binyan Yerushalayim! AMEN 
Shabbat Shalom!
Candle lighting in NYC:         8:08 pm
Shabbat ends in NYC:             9:07 pm
 
Shabbat Hazon
Tomorrow is a special Shabbat called:  “Shabbat Hazon (“Sabbath of “the vision” = חזון).  “Hazon” refers to the prophetic vision of Yesha’ayahu in which he rebuked the people of Israel, and particularly Yerushalayim, for their crimes, their lack of integrity and corruption. This text is found in Isaiah 1:1-27 and it is read as the Haftarah tomorrow. 
Click here to learn more about this Haftarah from “Haftorahman” (Mr. Reuben Ebrahimoff) 

 



9 of Ab: Reaching a state of grief

Tish’a be-Ab is the Jewish National Day of Mourning. This year, it will be observed from Monday night July 15th until Tuesday night July 16th.  Besides fasting, during Tish’a be-Ab we behave as if we were mourners grieving for a loved one who just passed away.  To express (or reach) an emotional state of grief we avoid doing certain activities.  These activities are divided into two categories:  1. Activities related to ‘pleasure’ . 2. Activities related to ‘joy’. 
 
Today we will review some examples of the first category.
 
WASHING 
Same as Yom Kippur, taking a shower, bathing or washing for pleasure is forbidden on Tish’a be-Ab. However, if a part of the body is unclean we can wash it. 
 
Washing our mouth is not permitted on Tish’a be-Ab. Except in a situation of great distress. In such a case one should bend the head downward to avoid swallowing any liquid (Rabbi Obadya Yosef).  
 
It is permitted to use baby wipes to clean one’s face, eyes, hands, etc. because it is not considered washing.  Theoretically we could wash our hands normally in the morning for Netilat Yadaim because we do it for a Mitzva and not for pleasure. The standard Sephardic custom, however, is to wash only the fingers.  
 
A woman preparing the food for the night after the fast can wash her hands.  
 
SIKHA 
Using creams for pleasure or comfort is not permitted. Medical creams or oils are permitted. Using deodorant is permitted. 
 
LEATHER SHOES are considered a luxurious item so during Tish’a be-Ab we don’t wear leather shoes. Other leather items, like a belt or a leather Kippa are permitted.
 
MARITAL RELATIONS are suspended on Tish’a beAb as if it was Nidda time. If the Mikveh night falls on the eve of Tish’a be-Ab–this coming Monday night–Mikveh has to be postponed for the following night .
 
May we all soon rejoice for Binyan Yerushalayim! AMEN

  
 

NEW UPDATED LINK
FOR PREGNANT WOMEN 

 

Click here to listen to Dr. Jessica Jacob’s  lecture:

 

This presentation was given by Dr. Jessica Jacob’s MD/OBGYN in the Mashadi Jewish community before Yom Kippur, 2010.   Most information is relevant for Tish’a be-Ab as well. The most important difference is that on Tish’a be-Ab, when exempted from the fast, one can eat normally and does not have to eat in small portions, as it is required on Yom Kippur.

 

 

 



Abstaining from meat during the nine days

“Once the month of Ab begins (=today) we minimize our happiness” mishenikhnas Ab, mema’atim besimha. These days are dedicated to prepare ourselves for mourning the destruction of our Bet haMiqdash. Therefore, in addition to the restrictions we mentioned for the three weeks (see this) we abstain ourselves from eating meat during these days. The shulhan ‘arukh mentions that there are communities in which people do not consume meat and do not drink wine during the entire three weeks period while other communities restrict themselves only during the week of Tish’a be-Ab. In most Sephardic communities the tradition is to avoid eating meat during nine days; namely, from the second day of the month of Ab (tonight) until the day after Tish’a be-Ab (we will explain this later on).  Some Sephardic communities avoid eating meat also during the day of Rosh Hodesh.  Obviously, this restriction does not apply on Shabbat. On the contrary. It is forbidden to abstain from meat on Shabbat (except for health reasons).  Fish is allowed during the nine days.
A person who is sick or weak, or a nursing woman during the first thirty days after giving birth, are allowed to eat meat during these. It would be preferable, if possible, if they eat chicken instead of red meat. 
If a Se’udat Mitzva, such as Berit Mila, takes place during these days it is allowed to serve meat in it. Yet, in many communities meat was not served at a Se’udat Mitzva because the Shehita was discontinued once the month of Ab began and meat therefore was not available. 
The Ashkenazi custom is to forbid shaving and cutting one’s hair during the three weeks. In some Sephardic communities men do not get a haircut during the nine days.  In most Sephardic communities men do not shave and do not cut their hair only during the week of Tish’a be-Ab.
Every person should follow his or her community and family customs. 
RECIPES 
Keep it delicious by pairing simple fishes with great strong flavors like tomato, garlic, mustard, and Parmesan cheese. by Elizabeth Kurtz, from Aish

 



When the 9th of Ab falls on Shabbat

This year, 2012, the 9th of the month of Ab falls on Shabbat (from Friday July 27th at night, until Saturday July 28th at night). When that happens our Rabbis instructed us to postpone the mourning day and the fast for the next day, Sunday (beginning Saturday night).  So, this year the Jewish National Day of Mourning will be commemorated on the 10th of Ab, beginning Saturday night July 28th at 9.04 p.m. (N.Y. time), once Shabbat ends.

√ Because the eve of the fast day falls on a Shabbat we do not have a se’udat hamafseqet, the last meal that we eat before the fast in a mood of mourning (see HERE). Actually, There are NO restrictions or any customs of mourning during this Shabbat. This Shabbat it is permitted to eat meat normally, even for Se’uda Shelishit (=the last meal, Shabbat afternoon).
√ We will stop eating before 8.15 p.m (= 8.15 p.m. is sunset in N.Y.C). And no preparations for Tish’a BeAb should be done until Shabbat is over at 9.04 p.m. N.Y. time.
√ After 9.04 p.m. by saying “barukh hamabdil ben qodesh lechol”(=Blessed is He, Who established the difference between holy and profane) Shabbat is over.
  √ We should change our Shabbat clothes for weekdays clothes and come to Synagogue with no-leather shoes. That night there is no Habdala other than the Berakha “Bore Me-ore haEsh”, which is going to be said in the Synagogue.
√ In our community all the Minyanim will start Tish’a BeAb services at 9:30 p.m. And although we have not yet said Arbit, we can still drive to Synagogue, because by saying “barukh hamabdil…” we have declared the end of the sanctity of Shabbat.

√ This year, that Tish’a BeAb falls on Saturday and it is postponed for Sunday, pregnant women and women who are actually breast-feeding do not need to fast on Tish’a BeAb. If they want and can fast they should fast until Chatzot (1:05 p.m.).
√ When one is allowed to eat during Tish’a BeAb for health reasons, one should eat only whatever is necessary for his or her health, and not for pleasure or in excess.
√ The fast will end 30 minutes after sunset, Sunday July 29th at 8:45p.m (N.Y.T). In some Minyanim at 8:55 p.m. For the Habdala Sunday night we will not say “Bore Mine Besamim” but only “haGefen” and “haMabdil”.
√ This year, because the 9th of Ab falls on Shabbat, we can eat meat, shave or get a haircut immediately after the fast ends.
Shabbat Shalom!
Candle lighting in NYC 7:57 p.m.
Shabbat Ends in NYC 9.04 p.m.
May we all have an easy and meaningful fast.
May this be the last Tish’a beAb that we mourn for the destruction of our Temple.






√ See  here  the laws of the fast day and who is exempted from fasting.
√ See  here  and  here other activities that are forbidden on Tish’a BeAb besides fasting.
√ See here “What happened on Tish’a BeAb?”