Mourning customs applicable on Motzei Tisha B’av-Tenth of Av

Mourning customs applicable on Motzei Tisha B’av-Tenth of Av:[1]

The Heichal [Kodesh and Kodesh Hakedoshim] was set afire on the 9^th towards evening, and it burnt until sunset of the 10^th.[2] It is therefore customary to avoid eating meat and drinking wine [as well as to guard all the mourning customs of the nine days[3]] until midday of the 10^th of Av.[4] Furthermore, some are accustomed to avoid eating meat and drinking wine throughout the entire day of the 10^th of Av, until the start of the 11^th of Av.[5] [Practically, the widespread custom of Ashkenazi Jewry is to only keep the mourning customs until midday of the 10^th.[6] Regarding Tisha B’av that falls on Shabbos, and is hence pushed off to Sunday, see next chapter!]

The following mourning customs apply until midday of the 10th:

1. Eating meat or poultry [fish is permitted].[7]
2. Drinking wine.[8]
3. Bathing for pleasure.[9]
4. Haircut.[10]
5. Laundry[11]
6. Wearing freshly laundered clothing.[12]
7. Music[13]

Marital relations:[14] It is proper to avoid marital relations on the night of the 10^th of Av [Motzei Tisha B’av], unless it is the night of Mikveh or one is traveling the next day or has arrived home after traveling [or he has a very strong inclination and may come to sin[15]].

Shehechiyanu:[16] One is to avoid saying Shehechiyanu over new fruits until the 11^th of Av. [However, some are lenient to say Shehechiyanu even on the night of the 10^th of Av, which is Motzei the 9^th of Av.[17]]

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[1] 558/1

[2] Michaber ibid; See Taanis 29a that Rebbe Yochanon stated that if he lived in that generation, he would have set the date of Tisha B’av to the 10^th of Av; See also Yerushalmi that there were Amoraim who fasted also on the 10^th of Av. [Tur 558; Kaf Hachaim 558/1]

[3] M”A 558/1 includes music, bathing and laundry; Piskeiy Teshuvos 558/2 based on Mekor Chaim of Chavos Yair includes all matters kept during the nine days.

Other Opinions: Some Poskim rule that only meat and wine are forbidden. [Mamar Mordechai brought in Biur Halacha 558 “Ad”]

[4] Rama ibid 558/1 “Some are Machmir until midday and not any further”

[5] Michaber ibid rules one is to continue the mourning customs of not eating meat or wine throughout the night and day of the 10^th of Av, which implies the entire day. [Elya Raba 558/2; Implication of Bach 558; Kaf Hachaim 558/10] Some Poskim conclude that it is proper for Torah scholars and G-d fearing Jews to be stringent in this matter, and that so is the custom. [Elya Raba ibid; Machazik Bracha 558/2; Shaareiy Teshuvah 558/2; Kaf Hachaim 558/10]

[6] Aruch Hashulchan 5582

[7] Rama ibid

[8] Rama ibid

[9] M”A 558/1; M”B 558/3

Other Opinions: Some Poskim rule that only meat and wine are forbidden. [Mamar Mordechai brought in Biur Halacha 558 “Ad”]

[10] M”A 558/1; M”B 558/3;

Other Opinions: Some Poskim rule that only meat and wine are forbidden. [Mamar Mordechai brought in Biur Halacha 558 “Ad”]

[11] M”A 558/1; M”B 558/3

Other Opinions: Some Poskim rule that only meat and wine are forbidden. [Mamar Mordechai brought in Biur Halacha 558 “Ad”]

[12] Nitei Gavriel 89/2

[13] M”A 558/1; M”B 558/3

Other Opinions: Some Poskim rule that only meat and wine are forbidden. [Mamar Mordechai brought in Biur Halacha 558 “Ad”]

[14] M”A 558/3 in name of Kneses Hagedola 558 that one who guards his soul is to distance himself from this; M”B 558/2; Kaf Hachaim 558/7

[15] Kaf Hachaim 558/7

[16] Machazik Bracha 558/3; Yosef Ometz 56; Shaareiy Teshuvah 558/2; Kaf Hachaim 551/208 and 558/8; Hisorerus Teshuvah 3/21

[17] Ashel Avraham of Butchach 558; Daas Torah 558

[18] Piskeiy Teshuvos 558/2 based on ruling of Mamar Mordechai that the prohibition only applies to meat and wine, and in a time of great need one may rely on their opinion.

[19] As cutting nails is only forbidden the week of Tisha B’av, and from where do we know that the night after Tisha B’av is as strict as the week off Tisha B’av. Vetzaruch Iyun. It is not mentioned in the list of Issurim brought in M”B.