These halachos are based on the rulings of the Mishna Berura (MB), reflecting Ashkenazi practice.
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Below is an introduction to Tisha B’Av and the halachos of fasting on it. Please also see the following pages where we explore other restrictions relating to Tisha B’Av:
- Torah Learning on Tisha B’Av
- Washing and anointing oneself on Tisha B’Av
- Leather shoes and intimacy on Tisha B’Av
Introduction
- On Tisha b’av we fast, as referenced in the Navi Zecharia ‘צום החמישי, the ‘fast in the fifth month’. There a number of other restrictions that we also practice, as we will iyH go on to outline. We do so due to the five tragedies that took place on this day over the course of Jewish history:
- It was decreed on our ancestors in the desert that they would not enter Eretz Yisrael
- The first Beis Hamikdash was destroyed
- The second Beis Hamikdash was destroyed
- The city of Beitar was captured and all its tens of thousands of Jewish residents were killed
- Turnusrufus ploughed over the area where the Beis Hamikdash had stood (SA 549:1, MB1-2)
- Chazal teach us (Taanis 30) that one who mourns the destruction of Yerushalayim will merit to see the joy of its redemption, whereas one who does not do so but rather eats on Tisha B’av (where not permitted to do so) will not merit to see this (SA 554:25). We therefore aim, through the restrictions of Tisha B’av (and of the weeks leading up to it), to feel a sense of loss and grief at not having the Beis Hamikdash, and to arouse ourselves to improve and do teshuva so that we may iyH merit the final redemption.
Start Time
- Tisha B’Av and its restrictions commence at sunset at the end of the 8th of Av and they conclude at nightfall at the end of the 9th (SA 553:2, MB 554:1).
Fasting on Tisha B’Av
- We have previously considered who is obligated to fast and exempt from fasting on Tisha B’av as part of our discussion about fasting on Shiva Asar BeTamuz. In summary, all adult males and females should fast, including women who are pregnant and breastfeeding, except those adults who are considered a ‘choleh she’ein bo sakana’ (those who are bedbound or whose whole body is weak due to illness) or a woman within 30 days of childbirth if she has not fully recovered.
- Partial Fasting (A point we did not mention there:) Those who are exempt from fasting, but have the ability to fast for a few hours, should fast for the first few hours, in order to participate in the distress of the rest of the community. Once those who are exempt do start to eat, they should not eat indulgent foods but rather they should eat basic food as necessary for their health.It is advisable for those who are pregnant, breastfeeding, ill or have given birth recently to consult with their Rav to determine whether or not to fast, given that there are can be multiple factors that need to be taken into consideration (SA 554:5-6, MB 9, 12, 14).
- Tisha B’Av Nidche: If Tisha B’av fell on Shabbos so was pushed off to Sunday, even those with mild illnesses or pregnant women who do not feel entirely well are exempt from fasting, even if they are not considered a ‘choleh she’ein bo sakana’ though it would appear they should fast a few hours if they can, as above. Again, it is advisable to consult with a Rav in such circumstances to determine if and how long one should fast (BH”L 559:9 D”H Ve’eino Mashlim, PT 554:5).
- Washing one’s mouth out: One should not wash one’s mouth out with water on Tisha B’Av. However, one who is in great distress may do so, taking care to ensure that their head is bent downwards so that they do not accidentally swallow any water (SA 567:3, MB 11).m
