Tisha B’av this year – Practical halachos

Morai V’Rabbosai,

This year’s schedule for Tisha B’Av is similar to last years with one very important distinction: Last year Tisha B’av actually fell out on Sunday and therefore began on Motzaei Shabbos. However this year Tisha B’av (the date) actually falls out on Shabbos Chazon, therefore we are Nohaig to be “docheh” or push off the Tzom until Motzaei Shabbos. This distinction has some practical Halacha Limaaseh ramifications:
For example this year on Shabbos Chazon erev the Tzom, there is a machlokes Meforshim whether one wears regular Shabbos clothing or something more like weekday clothing because it’s actually Tisha’a Ba’av. For the most part we are nohaig to wear our Shabbos begadim. However, Avi U’Mori, did not polish his shoes erev Shabbos like he did every erev Shabbos and Yom Tov, lichvod Shabbos, and if he had ‘better” Shabbos clothing and lesser ones he wore the lesser. There are also minhagim to use the niggun of Ayli Tzion for various Zemiros and piyutim (such as Licha Dodi) on this Shabbos. Another minhag brought LiHalacha although again shanui Bimachlokes, is not to learn Pirkei Avos this coming Shabbos afternoon.
As is the case with Tisha Ba’av that actually falls out on a Sunday, we do not make Havdalah after Maariv (it is even more critical that we say Atah Chonantanu in Shmona Esray, but we don’t make Havdalah at home.)
R Refael Jaffe and family, will be making the annual Yahrtziet kiddush L’aliyas Nishmas his father Rabbi Dovid Jaffe z’l on Shabbos in Shul, and not Motzaei the Tzom 9as he usually does) because the Yahrtziet is on the date of Tisha B’av which is on Shabbos as we said.
A critical reminder to all those who are travelling by car BEFORE THEY HAVE DAVENED MAARIV (both male and female): You must say Boruch Hamavdil Bayn Kodesh Lichol before doing any melacha!

We will be having only one Minyan at the appointed time for Maariv, which is 8:55pm iy’h. Before laining Megillas Eichah we will have a break for all to assemble and bring other family members to Shul. Megillah Laining will be at 9:40pm iy’h.
Schachris Tisha B’av (Sunday) in the morning is at 9am iy’h. No tallis or tefillin at Schachris we put them on at Mincha iy’h which is at 140pm iyh
Maariv at the end of the Tzom is 840pm and the Tzom ends at 852pm

Other things to bear in mind:

We stop eating on Shabbos at least 2-5 minutes before shkiya (That means practically STOP EATING Shalosh Seudos at 802 pm on Shabbos you can Bentch leisurely afterwards there is no rush but you must stop eating by 802pm.)
Those who will be davening Maariv at the Zman right after Tzais Hakochavim should remember to bring Tisha B’av appropriate footwear on Erev Shabbos before Shabbos to Shul . Those coming later should say Boruch Hamavdil and then switch before coming to shul.
This Tisha B’av actually fell out on shabbos; and it is a Nidcheh and therefore while all regular halachos apply. If you have medicines to take,or do not feel well the rules are somewhat different so please ask a Shayla.
Other unique halachic aspects of this year as a result of the Tisha B’av Nidcheh, are the post Tisha B’av minhagim. Although due to the 2nd Bais Hamikdash continuing to burn through Chatzos we are normally Nohaig the restrictions of the 9 days until Chatzos the next day, that is not the case this year. Sunday evening is the 11th of Av and therefore, the restrictions against taking haircuts, shaving, doing laundry, bathing, swimming, saying Shehecheyanu and sewing are lifted immediately at the end of the fast without waiting until the next day (Mishna Berura 558:4).
Nonetheless, eating meat and drinking wine (which are foods used for celebrations) and listening to music are only permitted Monday morning after the fast this year, but may not be consumed Sunday evening. Since the day was spent in mourning, it is not proper to resume conduct of simcha (joy) by eating meat and drinking wine immediately after the fast is over (Rama ibid).
Regarding taking any “fasting aids”: It is in my view inappropriate to take any pills on Shabbos so as to be able to fast better on Motzaei Shabbos ! Suppositories can be used on the fast itself.
A reminder, the only things that change after Chatzos on Tish B’av are that we wear Tallis and Teffilin and we no longer sit on the floor. All the Chamayshes Enuyim (eating,drinking,washing, wearing leather shoes and marital relations) remain in force until after the Tzom
The Yerushalmi in the beginning of Yoma (daf Hay) say that in every generation that the Bays Hamikdash isn’t rebuilt Maalin Alav Keilu Churvo Kb’h holds it against that generation as if they were responsible for its destruction.So then Rabbosai; Let’s make sure we focus on fixing what we unfortunately haven’t until now so that Kb’h will rebuild the Bais Hamikdash in our generation so that we are not held accountable for its destruction!!!

Brocha V’Hatzlocha
E Pessin