Sunday, July 22, 2018

Motzei Tish'a Be'av That Falls on Sunday



Motzei Tish'a Be'av That Falls on Sunday

Day: Sunday
Date: July 22, 2018
Parshat: Vaet’hanan
Ohr Hahalacha: Tish’a Be’av

Sponsored by Skilled Moving and Storage. Professional and honest movers serving Los Angeles. www.SkilledMoving.com 323-746-3279

The fast of Tish'a Be'av ends 20 minutes after shekia. There is no reason to be strict and wait for the Rabenu Tam time since that is only done on days with Torah prohibitions such as Shabbat. This year, before eating, havdala must be said since it was not said after Shabbat. Only the baracha of hagefen and the last beracha, hamavdil, are said. The pesukim normally said before havadala are omitted. The prohibitions against cutting one’s hair, shaving, washing, and bathing are lifted with the end of the fast whether the fast falls on Shabbat and is pushed to Sunday or even if it is observed on the proper day. When the fast is observed on the ninth of Av the prohibitions against eating meat, drinking wine, saying shehehyanu, and listening to music stay in effect until sunset the following day. This year however since the fast is observed on the tenth of Av, all of these prohibitions are lifted with end of the fast just like the other prohibitions. May this be the last year we observe Tish'a Be'av as a day of mourning. May we merit to see it become a day of celebration soon as the Navi tells us it will be.


DSH is brought to you in memory of Rabbi Mordechai ben Daniel. Visit us online at sephardichalacha.org

Friday, July 20, 2018

The 5 Prohibitions of Tish'a Be'av



The 5 Prohibitions of Tish’a Be’av

Day: Friday
Date: July 20, 2018
Parshat: Devarim
Yalkut Yosef: O"H: 551

Sponsored by Skilled Moving and Storage. Professional and honest movers serving Los Angeles. www.SkilledMoving.com 323-746-3279

There are five main prohibitions that apply on Tish'a Be'av. These prohibitions begin at sundown on the night of the 9th of Av and continue until sundown the following night. They are:
1. Washing and bathing are forbidden whether with hot or cold water. This prohibition extends even to washing ones hands. In the morning and after using the restroom one may wash only his fingers. It is permissible to wash with soap dirt off of oneself from any part of the body. Washing for hygiene is also allowed.
2. Putting creams and oils onto oneself for enjoyment is also forbidden. However, these items may be used for medical reasons such as for acne or to soothe cracked skin. Ointments may be used as well to prevent infection of cuts and bruises.
3. It is also forbidden to wear leather shoes. Cloth or rubber shoes may be worn instead. Shoes that have a strip of leather for decoration or leather shoelaces are also fine to wear.
4. Intimacy between a husband and wife is forbidden, however the harchakot do not need to be observed.
5. Eating and drinking is also not allowed. However, a woman who gave birth within thirty days and a person who is sick - even if it's not life threatening - does not need to fast. There are other exemptions and conditions that apply, and therefore anybody with a doubt should be sure to discuss their situation with their Rabbi. Children under Bar/Bat Mitzvah do not need to fast. We do not even train them for future years because we know that the Mashiach will come and this fast will no longer be observed. A child who is not fasting should nevertheless not be given treats and special things to eat. May Hashem answer our prayers soon and may we not suffer in this exile any longer.


DSH is brought to you in memory of Rabbi Mordechai ben Daniel. Visit us online at sephardichalacha.org

Wednesday, July 18, 2018

Shabbat Hazon



Shabbat Hazon

Day: Wednesday
Date: July 18, 2018
Parshat: Devarim
Yalkut Yosef: O"H: 551

Sponsored by Skilled Moving and Storage. Professional and honest movers serving Los Angeles. www.SkilledMoving.com 323-746-3279

There is no public display of mourning allowed on Shabbat and therefore the Shabbat before Tish’a Be’av is a regular Shabbat. Some Ashkenazim have a custom not to wear special clothing for Shabbat and they have what to rely on, however that is not the Sephardic custom. For the same reason we also do not say any of the kinot that some congregations say on Shabbat Hazon. It is also permissible to eat meat and have wine on Shabbat including for seuda shelishit as long as one finishes before shekia. It is not permissible to refrain from having these things unless one generally doesn’t eat them. This is true even when the ninth of of Av falls out on Shabbat as it does this year.


DSH is brought to you in memory of Rabbi Mordechai ben Daniel. Visit us online at sephardichalacha.org

Tuesday, July 17, 2018

Haircuts When Tish'a Be'av is Pushed Off



Haircuts When Tish’a Be’av is Pushed Off

Day: Tuesday
Date: July 17, 2018
Parshat: Devarim
Yalkut Yosef: O"H: 551

Sponsored by Skilled Moving and Storage. Professional and honest movers serving Los Angeles. www.SkilledMoving.com 323-746-3279

As mentioned previously, when Tish’a Be’av falls out on Shabbat and is pushed off to Sunday as it is this year, we do not consider the preceding week to be shavua shehal bo. Therefore, the prohibitions against laundering, bathing in hot water, and others do not apply this year. The exception is cutting one’s hair. Even though it is permissible to cut one’s hair because there is no shavau shehal bo, nevertheless it is inappropriate for a person to go into mourning looking freshly groomed and therefore one should be strict and not do so. Trimming or shaving one’s beard is permissible especially if one normally does so and not doing so will annoy the person. Ashkenazim and some Sephardim do consider this week to be shavua shehal bo and therefore refrain from the usual prohibitions.


DSH is brought to you in memory of Rabbi Mordechai ben Daniel. Visit us online at sephardichalacha.org