13. Diminishing comfort when sleeping:[1]

Sleeping on the floor or with a stone under the head: Some people are accustomed to sleep on the floor on the night of Tisha B’av.[2] Some people are accustomed to place a stone under their head when they sleep.[3] [The Chabad custom is not to sleep on the ground or sleep with a stone under the head (however one is to diminish in comfort, as stated next).[4]]

Diminishing in comfort of sleep:[5] [Even those who do not abide by the above custom] are to diminish their sleeping comfort on Tisha B’av, such as if one normally sleeps with two pillows, he is to sleep with one pillow.[6]

Pregnant women and people who are weak:[7] A pregnant woman for whom it is difficult to have discomfort in her sleep, is not required to abide by any of the above customs. [Likewise, one who is weak is not required to be stringent in this matter and may hence sleep on his bed as usual.[8]]

Q&A May one say good night to another prior to going to sleep?[9] Yes.[10] However some[11] write one is to avoid doing so.

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[1] 555:2

[2] Michaber ibid; Kol Bo; Chayeh Adam 135:17; Custom of Chasam Sofer

[3] Michaber ibid; Mordechai; Rama ibid “Some people are accustomed to place a stone under their heads in memory of the verse that states “And he took from the stones of the place” being that he saw the Churban. [ibid]

[4] Sefer Haminhagim p. 96 [English]

[5] Rama ibid; Tosafus end of Taanis; Chayeh Adam 135:17; Kitzur SHU”A 124:2

[6] The Terumos Hadeshen would sleep the opposite way, placing his head where he normally places his feet. [Leket Yosher p. 110]

[7] Rama ibid; Tosafus Taanis

[8] M”B 555:6-7 based on Gr”a

[9] Leket Yosher brought in Nitei Gavriel p. 436; However, see Nitei Gavriel 56:3 who plainly writes it may not be said.

[10] The Leket Yosher ibid writes that although it may be said and is not included in “Sheiolas Shalom” nevertheless the Terumos Hadeshen did not do so.

[11] See Nitei Gavriel 56:3 that plainly writes it may not be said.