Chapter 8: Tisha B’av that falls on Sunday

This chapter focuses on changes of laws applicable specifically for years when Tishe Be’av, the 9^th of Av, falls on Sunday, with Erev Tishe Beav, then 8^th of Av, falling on Shabbos. These laws differ from the laws applicable in years when Tishe Beav, the 9^th of Av, falls on Shabbos and is pushed off to Sunday. Hence, one should not compare the laws from previous years when Tishe Beav fell on Shabbos and was pushed off to Sunday.

1. The Shabbos Menu:

When Tisha B’av falls on Sunday, there are no restrictions towards the Shabbos menu and one may eat meat, fish and wine as much as his heart desires, and may feast to the point that was done on the table of Shlomo Hamelech. [The Rebbe even suggested that one add even more foods to the menu on this Shabbos in comparison to a regular Shabbos.]

Seudas Hamafsekes: When Shabbos falls on Erev Tisha B’av there are no Seudas Hamafsekes limitations relevant to the final meal before the fast.

2. Bathing, Leather shoes, on Shabbos:

When Tisha B’av falls on Sunday, the regular Tisha B’av restrictions against leather shoes, bathing and anointing only begin after Shabbos, as will be explained. [Accordingly, one who is very uncomfortable due to feeling hot and sweaty, may take a cold shower on Shabbos, prior to sunset.]

3. Marital relations on Shabbos:

When the date of the 9^th of Av falls on Motzei Shabbos one may have marital relations on Shabbos, the 8^th of Av. Distances between the couple only begin to apply after sunset on Shabbos.

4. Torah Learning on Shabbos:

Prior to midday of Shabbos there are no limitations of Torah study. However, starting from midday of Shabbos, which is Erev Tisha B’av, one is to limit his Torah learning to only those subjects permitted on Tisha B’av itself. Thus, one is to complete his Chitas and Rambam studies prior to midday. Likewise, many say that weeks Pirkeiy Avos before midday. However, Tehillim may be recited even after midday, as well as Shnayim Mikra. Furthermore, those who are lenient to study their daily Torah studies even after midday have upon whom to rely.

5. Pleasure walks on Shabbos:

One may not take pleasure walks on Shabbos Erev Tisha B’av, starting from the morning. However, when the date of the 9^th of Av falls on Motzei Shabbos one may take pleasure walks on Friday night, the 8^th of Av, as the restriction begins only from the morning. 

6. Av Harachamim on Shabbos:

The paragraph of Av Harachamim is recited regularly before Musaf even when Tisha B’av falls on Motzei Shabbos.

7. Mincha of Shabbos:

When: One is to Daven Mincha earlier than usual in order to have time to eat the third Shabbos meal.

Tzidkascha: When Tisha B’av falls on Motzei Shabbos, the paragraph of Tzidkascha is omitted in Mincha.

Pirkeiy Avos: When Tisha B’av falls on Sunday, it is disputed whether Pirkeiy Avos is recited on Shabbos after Mincha. Regarding the Chabad custom in years that Tisha B’av falls on Sunday and is not Nidcha, the Rebbe did not give an arbitration, and one may hence choose to do as they wish, with many choosing to recite it before midday. Whatever the case, one is to repeat that same chapter the next week, even if he decided to recite it.

8. Seudas Shelishis- Seudas Hamafsekes:

When Tisha B’av falls on Motzei Shabbos there is no Seudas Hamafsekes restrictions relevant to the final meal eaten on Shabbos before the fast. One may eat without any restrictions up until sunset. One may eat meat and drink wine by the final Shabbos meal, and may bring foods to his table as like the feast of King Shlomo.

By when must one stop eating and drinking on Shabbos? One must stop eating and drinking while it is still day [prior to sunset]. [Thus, the fast officially commences by sunset of Shabbos. It is a Mitzvah to publicize this matter.]

May one eat with other people? One may eat the third meal of Shabbos as usual with his family. Regarding eating with friends one is to follow his usual pattern, and hence if he usually eats this meal with friends he may do so also on this Shabbos.

Making a Zimun:  It is permitted to make a Zimun by Birchas Hamazon of the final Shabbos meal.

Is one to initially recite Birchas Hamazon before sunset? One may recite Birchas Hamazon after sunset.

May one perform Mayim Achronim after sunset? Yes.

May one take “easy fast” vitamin’s on Shabbos? It is permitted to do so.

9. When do the bathing and anointing restrictions begin?

The bathing and anointing restrictions begin at sunset. Hence, beginning from sunset, one may not wash his hands, just as is the law on Tisha B’av.

10. When is one to switch his shoes?

One may not switch his shoes prior to the conclusion of Shabbos. Practically, immediately after the conclusion of Shabbos, one is to say Baruch Hamavdil Bein Kodesh Lechol and then switch their shoes. Obviously, it remains permitted for one who is already home before the leave of Shabbos to take off his Shabbos shoes simply for the sake of comfortability without intent to begin the morning.

11. Havdala:

Havdala over wine is not recited on Motzei Shabbos, it is rather recited on Sunday night. [See below for the relevant laws of Havdala on Sunday night]. 

Meorei Haeish: One is to light a Havdala candle and recite the blessings of Meorei Haeish on Motzei Shabbos. One is to recite the blessing prior to Eicha.

Besamim: The blessing of Besamim is not said at all, not on Motzei Shabbos or Sunday night.

Must one who is not fasting say Havdala prior to eating?

Yes.  This includes men and women.

What is the Seder of Havdala in such a case? One omits the versus of “Hinei Keil Yeshuasi,” and rather begins from the blessing of Hagafen or Shehakol [depending on his beverage]. The blessing of Besamim is omitted. If Havdala is being recited on Sunday, the blessing of Haeish is likewise omitted and is supposed to be said the night before.

Is wine to be used or Chamer Medina? Many choose to do Havdala on Tishe Beav so on tea or coffee. However, one who does so on grape juice or wine has upon whom to rely.

12. Shabbos clothing:

Most authorities rule that Shabbos clothes should be removed immediately after Shabbos ends if it coincides with Tisha Beav, though some communities, including Chabad, continue to wear them until after Eicha and Kinos. All agree that leather shoes must be removed right after Shabbos, but other Shabbos garments can remain until the appropriate time depending on custom.

13. Maariv of Motzei Shabbos Tisha B’av:

In Shemoneh Esrei of Maariv one is to recite Atah Chonantanu.

Ata Kadosh: After the completion of Eicha and Kinos the congregation recites Veata Kadosh [omitting the verses of Uva Letziyon and Veani Zos Brisi]. This applies even when Tisha B’av falls on Motzei Shabbos, in which case one skips Vihi Noam Noam and begins from Veata Kadosh.

Vayiten Lecha: Vayiten Lecha is not recited on Motzei Shabbos which is Tisha B’av.

Greetings: Upon leaving Shul, one is to avoid wishing a Shavua Tov and the like to a friend.  One is not to walk in groups but rather alone in a state of mourning.

Shabbos clothing: After Maariv, those who have not yet done so are to remove their Shabbos clothes.

The remainder of Tisha B’av follows the same laws as a regular Tisha B’av

14. Sunday night-Motzei Tisha B’av:

Havdala when Tisha B’av falls on Motzei Shabbos: In the event that Tisha B’av falls on Motzei Shabbos, Havdala over wine is recited on Motzei Tisha B’av, which is Sunday night. The blessings of Besamim and Haeish are omitted from Havdala. One is to recite the blessings of Meorei Haeish on Motzei Shabbos upon seeing a candle. The blessing of Besamim is not said at all, not on Motzei Shabbos or Sunday night.

The Nusach of Havdala: On Sunday night, one begins Havdala from “Hinei Keil Yeshuasi”.

Eating and drinking: It is forbidden to eat and drink after Tisha B’av until one says Havdala over wine, just as is the law on Motzei Shabbos. It is permitted to drink water although our custom is to avoid doing so.