The Laws of Shabbat Erev Tisha B’Av 5781

7 Av 5781 July 16, 2021 • Torah

Remember to bring your Tisha B’Av footwear before Shabbos to Shul.

Shabbat

  1. The Shabbat meals are all eaten as on every Shabbat. We eat meat, drink wine and sing Zemirot.
  2. We say אב הרחמים before Mussaf. We do not say צדקתך by Mincha as we would not say Tachanun on any Erev Tisha B’Av.
  3. Although on Erev Tisha B’Av after Chatzot (Halachik midday) we only study Torah subjects that may be studied on Tisha B’Av (such as subjects that relate to the Destruction of the Beit HaMikdash, the laws of Tisha B’Av, the laws of Mourning) , when Erev Tisha B’Av is on Shabbat we may study any Torah subject. The minhag is not to do פרקי אבות this Shabbos.

Seudah Shelisheet

  1. On Erev Tisha B’Av our final meal before the fast begins is the Seudat HaMafseket which consists of bread, hard boiled egg, ashes, and water. When Erev Tisha B’Av is on Shabbat there is no Seudah Hamafseket. Seudah Shelisheet is our final meal before the fast. We may eat whatever we like, even meat and wine.
  2. However Seudah Shelisheet must end by sunset which will be at 8:17. After sunset we may sing Shabbat Zemirot and recite Birkat HaMazon (grace after meals).

Sunset

  1. After sunset restrictions regarding washing our body, applying substances to our body (such as lotions), and Torah study begin. If we use the restroom, we may only wash our hands up to our knuckles and without soap (unless really needed). We may only study Torah subjects that relate to Tisha B’Av such as subjects that relate to the Destruction of the Beit HaMikdash, the laws of Tisha B’Av, the laws of Mourning.
  2. However we continue wearing leather shoes and sitting regularly on chairs until Shabbat is over.

Havdalah

  1. Havdalah over a cup of wine or grape juice is postponed until Tisha B’Av ends on Sunday night.
  2. Once Shabbat ends, recite first the Havdalah of “Baruch hamavdil bein kodesh l’chol” before removing leather footwear, putting on Tisha B’Av footwear, and doing weekday activities that we may not do on Shabbat. You may leave on your Shabbat clothing.
  3. The only part of Havdalah that we do recite Saturday night is the blessing over the Havdalah candle, “Baruch ata Ado-nei, Elohei-nu, Melech HaOlam, Borei Meorei Ha’aish.” It will be recited in Shul before we read the book of Eicha for all those who are present.
  4. If you are at home you may say it yourself. If you will be at Shul but plan on saying it for someone at home, have in mind that you are not fulfilling your obligation with the blessing being made at Shul so that you may say it at home.
  5. Havdalah after Tisha B’Av does not begin with the opening paragraph of Hinei. It consists only of the blessings of Borei pri hagafen and Hamavdil bein kodesh l’chol. It may be made over wine or grape juice. The blessing over besamim is not recited.
  6. Before Havdalah on Sunday night one may not eat or drink anything other than water. Children under bar or bat mitzvah age may eat without Havdalah.
  7. If you have to break your fast during Tisha B’Av you must recite Havdalah or have someone recite it for you. If all you need to do is drink water Havdalah is not needed. The person who recites it for you does not have to be breaking their fast. It may be recited over grape juice by one person and then drunk by the person breaking their fast or by a boy or girl under the age of bar or bat mitzvah (3 ounces or at least a majority must be drunk). The person who has recited Havdalah does not need to repeat it after Tisha B’Av ends.