Laws Pertaining to Shabbos Erev Tisha B'Av & Tisha B'Av
Shabbos Parshas Devarim August 9, 2008 – Ches Av 5768 is Erev Tisha B’av.
The following day (Sunday August 10,) is the Fast of Tisha B'Av.
1. The Shabbos is called Shabbos Chazon (Shabbos of vision).
2. No preparations for Tisha B'Av may be made on Shabbos. One may hence not bring Tisha B'Av shoes or a Kinos to Shul on Shabbos, even where there is an Eiruv. It is therefore advisable to bring these items to Shul before Shabbos.
Shabbos Morning
1. Haftarah of the week is read from Yeshayahu 1:1-27.
2. Av Harachamim is recited.
3. One may eat meat and drink wine at the Shabbos meal. It is, in fact, a Mitzvah to eat meat on Shabbos.
4. It is permitted to hold a public Kiddush on this Shabbos, since we do not show any signs of mourning on Shabbos. The Rebbe encouraged Farbrengens on this day.
Shabbos Afternoon
1. Erev Tisha B'Av afternoon (after Chatzos), one should only study Torah portions permitted on Tisha B'Av itself. (Tehillim may be recited all day).
2. At Mincha, we do not recite Tzidkaschah nor do we say Pirkei Avos.
3. For Seudah Shlishis we make sure to eat a full meal. We may eat meat and drink wine and sing Zemiros.
4. One may eat the meal with the family at one table; however, one should not invite guests unless one regularly has guests for Seudah Shlishis.
5. One should not say that he is eating to have strength for the fast, and one may not take a pill or remedy for the purpose of making the fast easier, because that would be preparing on Shabbos for Sunday which is not permitted. If, however, the remedy is mixed together with food that is being consumed for the present time, it is then permissible.
6. On Shabbos we do not eat an egg with ashes nor do we sit on a low stool, as we would normally during the Seudah Mafsekes.
7. One may conclude the meal with a Zimun as always.
8. One must be careful to conclude the meal before sunset (Sh'kiah) – Jax. Time: 8:09 pm.
9. One should 'Bentch' (say Grace After Meals) before sunset. It is, however, sufficient to merely begin the Bentching process by washing Mayim Acharonim before sunset.
10. If one completed the 3rd Seudah before sunset and said Birchas Hamazon, he may still eat and drink until sunset without making any T'nai (condition).
11. The fast begins at Shkiah, Jax Time: 8:09 p.m.
12. From 8:09 p.m. until the end of the fast we do not eat, drink, anoint and wash ourselves, greet someone, have marital relations.
13. Since it is still Shabbos, one may sit on an ordinary chair until nightfall, Jax time: 8:52 pm, after which time we only sit on low seats.
Motzei Shabbos (Saturday night) Eve of Tisha B'Av
1. Before Maariv the Paroches is removed from the Aron Kodesh.
2. The Chazzan recites 'Baruch Hamavdil' and removes his shoes.
3. The congregation removes their leather shoes after Borchu.
4. We sit on a low stool.
5. Regular Maariv, with the following exceptions:
a. During Shemoneh Esrei we recite 'Ata Chonantanu.'
b. Vihi Noam is not recited. V'Atah Kadosh is recited after Aicha.
5. We dim the Shul lights; sit on low benches while the Chazzan leads the reading of Aicha. After each chapter the Chazzan raises his voice a bit.
6. After Aicha we recite selected chapters of Kinot, V'Atah Kadosh, Kaddish without
Tiskabel, Aleinu, Mourners Kaddish…
7. A Havdalah candle is lit on which the Bracha “Boray Meoray Ha'aish” is recited.
8. Havdalah is not recited until Sunday night after nightfall. V’Yiten Licho is not recited.
The Morning of Tisha B'Av
1. We wash our hands (Negel Vasser) only until the end of our fingers.
2. We recite morning Brachos, omitting the Bracha 'She'asa Li Kol Tzorki.'
3. We do not greet each other on this day.
4. Work requiring concentration should be avoided.
5. We do not wear Talis or Tefillin until the afternoon.
6. When saying 'Baruch She'omar and during the Shema we do not hold or kiss our Tzitzis.
7. During the repetition of the Amidah, the Chazzan recites the prayer of 'Aneinu' (It is not recited in the silent Amidah).
8. The Chazzan does not recite Birchas Kohanim.
9. Tachanun is not recited. After the Shemoneh Esrei the Chazzan recites Half Kaddish.
10. The Torah is taken out. A portion from Devarim – beginning with Ki Solid Bonim, (4:25-40) is read. It is divided into three Aliyos. The third Aliyah is also Maftir.
11. Hagbah, Gelilah, Haftorah – ‘Asof Asifaim.’(Yirmiyahu 8:13-9:23).
12. After the Haftorah Half Kaddish is recited and the Torah is returned.
13. At this time Kinot is recited until noon. The final chapter 'Eili Tzion' is recited verse by verse, responsively.
14. After Kinot we recite Ashrei, Uva L'tzion (omitting the verse 'V'ani Zos Brisi'), Kaddish
(without the verse of Tiskabail), Aleinu, Mourner’s Kaddish.
15. We do not recite the song-of-the-day or 'Ein K'elokainu,' until the afternoon.
16. It is our custom to read the Aicha individually during the daytime.
17. It is important to give additional Tzedakah on this day.
18. From afternoon on, we may sit on a regular height chair. The other restrictions continue until nightfall.
Mincha of Tisha B'Av
1. The Paroches is replaced to the Aron Kodesh.
2. We don Talis and Tefilin with a Bracha.
3. We begin by reciting the three chapters of Shema, Shir Shel Yom, Mourner’s Kaddish, Ein K’elokainu, Kaddish D'rabanan, Tehillim... followed by Korbanos, Ashrei, Half-Kaddish.
4. The Torah is brought out and three Aliyos are read from Shemos 32:11-14 and 34:1-10, beginning with 'Vayichal.' The third Aliyah is also Maftir. All the three men called up to the Torah should be fasting. Hagbah, Gelilah, Haftarah – 'Dirshu.' (Yeshayahu 55:6-56:8).
5. The Torah is returned to the Aron Kodesh, Half-Kaddish, Shemoneh Esrei.
6. The prayers of Nachaim and Aneinu are inserted, respectively, in the silent Amidah. The Chazzan recites Aneinu, Nachaim, and Birchas Kohanim in the repetition.
7. Minchah is concluded with Aleinu and Mourner’s Kaddeishim.
8. At the end of the fast (Jax,T ime: 8:52 pm), we Daven regular Maariv. Kaddish, Mishnayos…
9. We recite Havdalah (without Bisamim and candles). We wash our hands, break our fast, and say Kiddush Levanah (if the moon is visible).
10. We do not eat meat or drink wine until Monday mid-day.
It is said that one who mourns over Jerusalem will merit to see her happiness, as the Prophet (Yeshayahu 66:10) promises: “Rejoice with her greatly, all who mourn for her.”