The Three Weeks

Laws of the Three Weeks

HaRav Eytan Weisz

 

Fast	Fast Begins	Fast Ends
17th of Tammuz  Sunday (July 13)	3:48 AM - 90 minutes before Netz 4:13 AM – 72 minutes before Netz	8:07 PM
9th of Av Sunday (August 3)	7:39 PM (Before Shabbat ends on August 2	8:05 PM

 

The Laws of the ‘Minor’ Fasts

1. The fast of Gedaliah, the tenth of Tevet, Ta'anit Esther, and the 17th of Tammuz all begin at dawn and end when the stars appear.

2. One should not eat or drink after going to bed on the night of the fast. But if one planned or even thought that they might eat or drink before dawn then it is permitted.

3. All healthy and strong people are obligated to fast on these days.

4. One who is sick, even if he is not in danger, or one who is pregnant, nursing, or elderly should not fast. People in these categories are permitted to eat and drink without restriction, provided they do not overeat for pleasure, but eat simple and nutritious foods for the purpose of strengthening their bodies.

 

The 17th of Tammuz

5. We fast so as not to break the chain of generations that have fasted before us.

6. Fasting on the 17th of Tammuz stems from the voluntary consent of the people.

7. On Tisha B’av the fast lasts from evening to evening, while on the 17th of Tammuz the fast begins at dawn and ends when the stars appear. 

8. On the 17th of Tammuz only eating and drinking are prohibited, unlike on Tisha B’Av which also prohibits washing, anointing, wearing leather shoes, and having marital relations.

9. Some opinions hold that it is permitted to rinse one’s mouth with water provided he is careful not to swallow it. 

10. Another difference between the minor fasts and Tisha B’Av is who is exempt. On the 17th of Tammuz, those who are ill but not in danger, as well as pregnant and nursing women, are exempt. Mild discomfort alone does not qualify for exemption.

 

Tefillah on Fast Days

11. Sephardim say Aneinu at Shacharit and Mincha during the blessing of shema koleinu of the silent amidah. Ashkenazim say Aneinu only at Mincha, and only the Chazzan says it during Shacharit. 

12. If one forgets to say Aneinu at the proper place he can say it in Elokai Nitzor, and if he forgets then he should not repeat the Amidah.

12. If the Chazzan forgets to say Aneinu and remembered after saying rofeh cholei amo yisrael,  he should not go back, but he should say it during shomea tefillah, and if he forgets then he can say it during Sim Shalom. 

13. After the repetition of the Amidah in the morning, it is the custom to say Slichot. One who is praying alone should read the 13 Middot with the tune of the Torah reading. Ashkenazim say Avinu Malkeinu. Torah reading follows Tachanun (Shemot 31:11-14; 34:1-9).

14. The order of Mincha: Ashrei, Chatzi Kaddish, take out the Torah if there are at least six men who are fasting, and only those who are fasting should get called up and read from the Torah. Chatzi Kaddish is said after the Torah is returned. 

15. According to the Ashkenazi custom, the haftarah of Isaiah 55:6-56,8 is read.

16. If Mincha is prayed close to sunset, the Kohanim go up for Birkat Kohanim 

17. Ashkenazim say Avinu Malkeinu before Tachanun.

18. One who is not fasting should not say Aneinu. He should not be the Chazzan or get an Aliyah. If he has mistakenly been called to the Torah, he may get an Aliyah. He should also not read from the Torah or receive other honors. A Kohen who is not fasting should not say Birkat Kohanim unless he is the only Kohen present.

19. When there are fewer than 10 men who are fasting in the minyan (some say when there are fewer than 6), they do not read Torah, say Aneinu, or do Birkat Kohanim. The Chazzan should say Aneinu during the repetition of the Amidah. 

 

The Three Weeks

20. The three weeks between the seventeenth of Tammuz and Tisha B'Av are days of mourning for the destruction of the Temple. They are called 'Between the Straits'.

21. On these days it is customary not to play musical instruments, except for the purpose of study and earning a living. It is also customary not to listen to recorded music. One may listen to programs on the radio even if music is played in between segments. Some say that one may listen to music that is not upbeat, such as classical or calm music.

22. One should avoid saying Shehecheyanu on a new fruit or garment on weekdays, but it is permitted on Shabbat.

23. Ashkenazim do not have weddings during all three weeks, and Sephardim do not hold weddings starting from Rosh Chodesh Av.

24. Ashkenazim do not cut their hair or shave during all three weeks, but some allow shaving in honor of Shabbat until Rosh Chodesh Av. Sepharadim do not get haircuts or shave during the week of Tisha B'Av.

 

The Month of Av

25. On Rosh Chodesh Av (Shabbat-Matot Masai) we say Hallel as on every Rosh Chodesh, and we add Ya'aleh ViYavo in Birkat HaMazon.

 26. 'When Av enters we reduce our joy.' We do not eat meat or drink wine. Ashkenazim refrain from wine and meat even on Rosh Chodesh itself, while Sephardim refrain starting the second day of Av. Yemenites only refrain from wine and meat at the pre-fast meal. On Shabbat, at Havdalah, and at meals connected to a Mitzvah meat and wine are permitted.

27. From the beginning of the month of Av and onwards, Ashkenazim do not wear freshly laundered clothes (except in honor of Shabbat), and Sephardim do not wear freshly laundered clothing during the week of Tisha B'Av.

However, one may prepare clothes ahead of time by wearing the clean clothes for about half an hour, and doing this multiple times until he has enough clothes until Tisha B’Av is over.

Some say that clean clothes can be placed on the ground so that they are no longer considered clean, and then they can be worn in the days leading up to Tisha B’Av.

Some say that the prohibition against changing clothes only applies to a person who is changing for pleasure, but one is permitted to change when his clothes get dirty. 

28. Ashkenazim refrain from bathing for pleasure and refreshment starting from Rosh Chodesh Av, and Sephardim refrain during the week of Tisha B'Av. One who is dirty or sweaty is permitted to bathe in lukewarm water.

On Erev Shabbat it is permitted to wash one’s face, hands, and feet with hot water. It is also permitted to cut one’s nails.

If Rosh Chodesh falls on a Erev Shabbat, it is permissible to bathe one’s whole body in hot water.

29. Ashkenazim and most Sephardim do not sanctify the moon until after Tisha B'Av because they are in mourning.

30. Table to summarize the mourning customs of the Three Weeks. Please note that many of the Sephardi customs do not apply this year because there is no "shavuah shechal bo). (A= Ashkenazim, S= Sepharadim)

 

	3 Weeks	9 Days	Motzei 9 Av	10 Av during the day
Joyous Music	Forbidden	Forbidden	Forbidden	A - permitted from mid-day,  S - forbidden
Say Shehecheyanu (except for Shabbat)	Forbidden	Forbidden	Forbidden	Forbidden
Weddings	A - Forbidden S - Permitted	Forbidden	Forbidden	Forbidden
Haircuts and Shaving	A - Forbidden S - Permitted	A - Forbidden S -  Permitted	A - Forbidden S - Permitted	A - Permitted from mid-day,  S - Permitted
Meat and Wine	Permitted	Forbidden (S - permitted on Rosh Chodesh)	Forbidden	A - Permitted from mid-day,  S -Forbidden
Wearing Clean Clothes	Permitted	A - Forbidden S - Permitted	S - Permitedt A - Forbidden	S - Permitted A - Permitted from midday
Bathing for Pleasure	Permitted	A - Forbidden, S - Permitted	A - Forbidden S - Permitted	A - Permitted from midday, S - Permitted
Sanctifying the Moon	Permitted	Not Allowed	Permitted	-------

When Shabbat falls on Erev Tisha B’Av

31. On this Shabbat one should wear Shabbat clothes as usual.

32. One may study Torah on Shabbat.

33. Shabbat prayers are the same as usual, except during Mincha one does not say Tzidkatcha Tzedek.

34. Mincha should be said early so that Seudah Shlishit can be completed before sunset.

 

Seudah Shlishit/Pre-Fast Meal

35. There are no limitations when eating seudah shlishit which is also the pre-fast meal. One may eat and drink whatever they want, including meat and wine (one does not have to eat the customary egg, etc.), and one may sing Shabbat songs as usual. One should not sit on the ground as we do at the pre-fast meal on a regular year. And there is no need to eat an additional meal, rather one should finish seudah shlishit close to sunset.

36 Some say that one should not invite friends to this meal, but in any case it is permissible for the whole family to sit together. 

37. One should finish eating and drinking and rinsing one’s mouth by 19:50.

After sunset it is forbidden to eat, drink, bathe or do anything else that is forbidden on Tisha B'Av. Things that must be done on Tisha B'Av (such as changing out of Shabbat clothes and taking off one’s leather shoes, should not be done until after the stars come out.

38. Once the stars come out before changing clothes and shoes, one must say Baruch HaMavdil bein Kodesh LiChol, and then he should change his shoes and clothes and go to Maariv.

39. It is recommended that Maariv take place about 15 minutes after the end of Shabbat so that people will have time to change.

40. When Maariv is not delayed, one should bring their Kinnot and their Eicha to the synagogue before Shabbat.

If one did not bring them before Shabbat, he should bring them to the synagogue on Shabbat and read it on Shabbat.

Maariv and Havdalah on Motzei Shabbat

41. During Maariv one should say Atah chonantanu as usual.

42. Havdalah: Before reading Eicha, only the blessing of Meorei HaEsh is said, the other blessings are said on Sunday evening, except for the blessing over the spices which is not said at all this year.

43. If one forgot to say Baruch HaMavdil bein Kodesh LiChol and Atah Chonantanu, one should say it before the blessing of Meorei HaEsh.

44. Those who are exempt from fasting should say Havdalah before eating and not immediately when Shabbat is over (unless one must eat immediately after Shabbat).

The 5 Prohibitions of Tisha B’Av

45. The sages are as strict with these prohibitions on Tisha B’Av as they are on Yom Kippur:

1. The fast begins at sunset on the eve of Tisha B'Av, this year it begins when it is still Shabbat.
2. Five things are forbidden: eating and drinking, washing, anointing, wearing  leather shoes, and marital relations.
3. It is forbidden to study Torah on Tisha B’Av, but it is permitted to learn the book of Job, the Midrash of Eicha and the laws of mourning.

46. One who is sick, even if he is not in danger, may eat what he needs on Tisha B'Av. He should not eat for pleasure, rather he should eat simple and nutritious foods for the purpose of strengthening his body.

47. When washing hands in the morning and after using the bathroom, one should wash only up to the point where the fingers connect to the palm.

48. It is forbidden to wash the body (even one finger) even in cool water. But one may wash if his hands are dirty. There is no prohibition to wet one’s hand or the rest of the body while washing dishes or doing any other activity.

49. Only anointment for pleasure is forbidden. One may apply deodorant, vaseline and hand cream, etc. if not for pleasure.

50. It is forbidden to wear shoes or sandals made of leather, but other shoes are allowed even if they are comfortable.

 

Customs of Tisha B'Av 

51. One should not greet others on Tisha B'Av, even saying 'good morning' is forbidden (and one should not give gifts to friends). One who is greeted should respond with seriousness and soft language.

52. One should refrain from non-essential work or trips so as not to be distracted from mourning.

53. Until midday, it is customary not to do work. Although one may work in order to prevent damage or loss.

54. It is forbidden to study Torah, but reciting Korbanot and reviewing the Torah reading for Shacharit and Mincha is permitted.

55. Some people sleep on a mattress on the floor, and some people sleep without a pillow. Some people put a stone under their head while sleeping.

Tefillah on Tisha B'Av

56. Until Mincha one should sit on the ground or on low chairs. Some only do this until after Shacharit. Some remove the curtain from the ark.

57. In the synagogue, only partial lighting is turned on (enough lighting so that people can read), and one should pray in a low voice like a mourner.

58. After Maariv, Eicha and Kinnot are said — each according to their custom. After that, one should say ViAtah Kadosh, Kaddish, and Aleinu.

59. On Tisha B'Av, it is customary to say Shacharit without a tallit and tefillin (a tallit katan is worn without a blessing). Some Sepharadim do wear a tallit and tefillin in the morning.

60. Adding Aneinu and ViNachem:

Sephardim - the Chazzan adds Aneinu as a blessing in itself between Go’el and Refanenu,  and Nachem in Boneh Yerushalayim at Shacharit and Mincha.

Ashkenazim - At Shacharit the Chazzan adds Aneinu as a blessing in itself between Go’el and Refanenu.

At Mincha the Chazzan says Aneinu as a blessing in itself between Go’el and Refanenu and Nachem in Boneh Yerushalayim.

At the silent prayer of Mincha, Ashkenazim say Aneinu within Shema Koleinu and Nachem within U’vineh Yerushalayim, and Sephardim say Aneinu and Nachem in all the prayers of the fast.

One who forgot to say Nachem should say it after Aneinu in Shema Koleinu. If he forgets again he should not go back. 

61. Some omit the morning blessing of SheAsah li kol tzarchi.

62. Ashkenazim do not do Birkat Kohanim at Shacharit of Tisha B'Av.

63. One should not say Tachanun on Tisha B'Av between Shacharit or Mincha, nor is Avinu Malkeinu or LaMinatzeach said. 

64. At Shacharit we read Devarim 4:25-40

      And haftarah from Yirmiyahu 8:13-19,23. Some do not say Kaddish until after the haftarah.

65. Ashkenazim do not say Titkabel in Kaddish, nor do they say Shir Shel Yom or Ein Kelokeinu in the morning.

66. At the end of Shacharit one should sit and say kinnot. Some read Eicha. 

67. Some put on tallit and tefillin before Mincha. 

68. Before Mincha, Ashkenazim say the Shir Shel Yom and Ein Kelokeinu  which they did not say in the morning.

69. Mincha is the same as on other fasts, one should read Torah and haftarah with the blessings. One should not say Tachanun or Avinu Malkeinu.

70. It is the custom of the Ashkenazim and some of the Sephardim to sanctify the moon on Motzei Tisha B'Av.

Laws of 10 B’Av 

 71. The fires in the Temple started on 9 Av and lasted through 10 Av, we therefore hold some of the customs of Tisha B’Av on the 10th of Av as well. Ashkenazim keep all the laws of the 9 days on the 10th of Av, and Sepharadim refrain from eating meat and drinking wine, but are permitted to bathe and do laundry.

Tu B’Av – A Day of Unity and Love

In Temple times, Tu B’Av (15th of Av) was a joyful day, second only to Yom Kippur. Young women would dance in the vineyards, and many matches were made. The Kol Bo explains it was a day for those still seeking a match, especially the poor or older.

After the Temple's destruction, the celebration ended due to spiritual decline and concerns over modesty. Lamentations hints at its loss, describing Zion’s desolation and mourning maidens.

The Talmud lists six events that occurred on Tu B’Av, including:

• The end of wood-cutting for the altar.
• Lifting the restriction on intertribal marriage.
• Reacceptance of the tribe of Benjamin.
• Removal of roadblocks to Jerusalem by King Hoshea.

While these events seem unrelated, they share a theme: restoring unity among the Jewish people. Tu B’Av marks a shift from baseless hatred (which led to the Temple’s destruction on Tisha B’Av) to baseless love.

The donated wood, the lifted bans, and restored access to the Temple all reflect selfless acts for the sake of others.

That’s why Tu B’Av is the ideal day for matchmaking: love, generosity, and unity are its core. As Rabbi Kook said, just as baseless hatred destroyed us, baseless love will rebuild us. Tu B’Av calls us to increase kindness, judge favorably, and strengthen our bonds—bringing us closer to redemption.