From the Rav’s Desk: When do the three week regulations begin, the night of the 17th or the next day?

1. Question: [Tuesday, 15^th Tamuz 5783]

There is a concert scheduled to take place this Wednesday night which is the 17^th of Tamuz. May I go to the concert? My basic question is do the three-week restrictions begin to apply already on the night of the 17^th of Tamuz or do they only begin the next morning when the fast begins?

Answer:              

The laws of Aveilus begin from the night of the 17th of Tammuz. Accordingly, you may not attend such a concert. The same applies regarding all other laws of the three weeks, that they begin starting from sunset on the 16^th of Tamuz. Thus, you are to get a haircut prior to this time, and are to no longer recite the blessing of Shehechiyanu, listen to music, or get a haircut, starting from this time.

Explanation:

Being that we do not begin fasting until the morning of the 17^th of Tamuz, the question is raised as to whether mourning restrictions of the three weeks only begins then or begins from the night before by the start of the actual date of the 17^th. Practically, the Chida concludes that all of the mourning restrictions begin from the night of the 17^th, and not from the next day, as the time of the start of the fast has nothing to do with the mourning restrictions, and it is a mere leniency that we delay the fast until the morning being that it is difficult to fast a full day. So is also the implied ruling from all of the Poskim and Shulchan Aruch who never qualify that the three-week laws only begin from the morning and supplying it they begin the night before and it is literally three weeks. Rav Moshe Feinstein however in his responses took a more lenient approach [without mentioning the opinion of the Chida] and permits in a time of need and in certain circumstances for a person to be lenient in this matter until the morning of the 17^th. Practically, the main approach follows the ruling of the Chida.

Sources: Setimas Kol Haposkim; Chida Chaim Sheal 1:24; Ashel Avraham Butchacher 551; Tzitz Eliezer 10:26; Divrei Moshe 1:33; Shraga Hameir 2:13; Piskeiy Teshuvos 551:7; Nitei Gavriel 2:6; 14:5; 17:2; 19:3 So rule regarding Shehechiyanu that one is to abstain from saying it starting from the night of the 17^th: Chida Chaim Sheal 1:24; Zechor Leavraham O.C. 2:9; Ikarei Hadat 27:9; Kaf Hachaim 551:207;  Other opinions: Mishnas Yaakov 551; Shut Baruch Hashem 75; Igros Moshe 1:168; 4:112; Even Haezer 1:166; See Shearim Hametzuyanim 122:1; See regarding starting the restrictions from sunset: Ashel Avraham Butchach 551; See M”A 551:26 regarding nine days