Featured Speakers:

Featuring:
HaRav Akiva Stolper

Tisha B'Av Symposium
Featured Speakers:

Suggested Donation: $8.00

All events are open to both men and women

Sponsored by:

Beth Israel Cong., Cong., Ohr Chaim, Miami Beach Community Kollel,
Talmudic University, Yeshiva Toras Emes/Toras Chaim, and Young Israel of M.B.

The Jewish nation commemorates the destruction of the Bais HaMikdash (Temple) and our exile from Eretz Yisroel by fasting four times during the year: the fasts of Tzom Gedalya, Asoroh B’Teves, Shiva Osor B’Tammuz, and Tisha B’Av. The Three Weeks, beginning with the fast of Shiva Osor B’Tammuz (the seventeenth of Tammuz, the day the walls of Jerusalem were breached), and culminating on Tisha B’Av (the ninth of Av, the day both temples were destroyed), is a period of mourning for the entire Jewish nation. As legislated by the Talmud and amplified by Minhogim (customs), the degree of mourning becomes more intense as we approach Tisha B’Av. We present an outline of these laws and customs, demonstrating the varying degrees of mourning.

The mourning practices of the Three Weeks begin on the Seventeenth of Tammuz.
1. It is the custom not to shave or take haircuts (even women) during the Three Weeks.
2. It is forbidden to get married. It is permitted to partake of a meal celebrating Tenayim, although music and dancing are forbidden.
3. It is forbidden to rejoice with music and dance. It is the custom to abstain from listening to any music, whether live or reproduced.
4. One should not bring upon oneself a requirement for a brocho of Shehechiyanu during the Three Weeks. Therefore, one should not buy items which would require the recitation of this brocho. A new garment which is not of importance, thereby not requiring a Shehechiyanu (i.e shoes, undergarments, socks, shirts) may be purchased and worn for the first time until Rosh Chodesh Av.
5. Expensive clothing which require alteration may be purchased since the brocho is not recited until they are worn. However, they should not be worn for the first time during the Three Weeks. Expensive items which are shared by other members of the family (i.e. a family car) may be bought during the Three Weeks up until the Nine Days, since a brocho of “HaTov VeHamaytiv” is recited in place of the Shehechiyanu.
6. Some Poskim allow the brocho of Shehechiyanu to be recited on Shabbos during the Three Weeks. Accordingly, one is permitted to wear a new suit on Shabbos.

The Nine Days

The laws of the Nine Days extend from Motzei Shabbos, Parshas Masei, August 6, until after Tisha B’Av.
1. It is forbidden to wash one’s clothing during the Nine Days, even to have it done by a non-Jew. It is also forbidden to iron clothing.
2. It is permitted to give clothing to the cleaners before the Nine Days even if one knows that they will be cleaned on the premises during the Nine Days. One may not, however, pick up the clothing until after the Nine Days.
3. If planning to leave on a trip immediately after Tisha B’Av, be sure to have a sufficient amount of laundered clothing to avoid the prohibition of cleaning during the Nine Days.
4. It is forbidden to wear freshly laundered clothing during the Nine Days except for underwear and socks. One should wear freshly laundered shirts for a short time before the Nine Days so that they will have been ‘worn’ already before the Nine Days. In case of need, one may rely on the opinions that permit wearing freshly laundered shirts. One may also change more often than usual on Shabbos and save the shirts for during the week. It should not, however, appear that one is preparing for the week.
5. One may wash clothing necessary for Shabbos if one has no other clothing.
6. If one’s clothing becomes soiled and one has no more clean clothing to wear, one may only wash during the week preceding Tisha B’Av, but not during the week in which Tisha B’Av falls.
7. It is permitted to wash all infant’s and little children’s clothing during the Nine Days.
8. It is forbidden to wear or purchase any new clothing during the Nine Days even if it will only be worn after the Nine Days. This prohibition includes socks, underwear, etc. If one forgot to purchase sneakers for Tisha B’Av, one may purchase them during the Nine Days.
9. Linen (except for a guest) and tablecloths should not be changed during the Nine Days. Freshly laundered tablecloths may be used on Shabbos.
10. One may wear freshly laundered clothing on Shabbos. One should not however wear a new shirt, etc., unless one does not have any old ones which can be cleaned.
11. It is forbidden to weave, sew or manufacture clothing in any way. Similarly, it is forbidden to perform any alterations on new clothing. Repairing torn garments or shoes is permissible.
12. It is permitted to make Tenayim during the Nine Days. While a meal may not be served, it is permitted to serve cake and drinks.
13. It is forbidden to eat meat or chicken during the Nine Days, with the exception of Shabbos. Any foods containing them may not be eaten. One who is ill, pregnant or nursing and requires “fleishig”, may eat chicken during the Nine Days, but should try to abstain from the seventh of Av onward.
14. Meat may be eaten at a Seudas Mitzvah, e.g., a Bris Miloh, Siyum, Bar Mitzvah or Pidyon HaBen. (Music should not be played at such affairs.)
15. It is forbidden to drink wine or grape juice during the Nine Days except for Shabbos. If possible, it is recommended that one give the Havdalah wine to a child who is older than 5 but less than 8-9 years old. If not, one may drink the wine himself.
16. It is forbidden to use a sauna, shower or bath for one’s enjoyment or refreshment. Swimming is likewise forbidden. If necessary, it is permitted to take a quick, lukewarm shower to clean oneself from sweat. It is also permitted to refresh oneself by washing his hands, face and feet with cold water. There are Poskim who permit bathing normally (hot water) on Erev Shabbos Chazone.
17. A woman preparing for the Mikvah may wash with hot water in the usual way.

Shabbos Chazone - Erev Tisha B'Av

This year Erev Tisha B'Av coincides with Shabbos Chazone, August 13, so the usual restrictions do not apply and one does not eat a special Seudah HaMafsekes. Rather one may eat even meat and wine at Seudah Shlishis if he so desires. This meal, however, must be concluded by sunset (7:58 PM) since that is when the fast begins, even on Shabbos. There will be two minyonim for Mincha; the first one at 5:45 PM and the second one at 7:40 PM. Leather shoes are not removed until after Borchu for Maariv; only the Chazan removes shoes before Borchu.
It is advisable for everyone to bring their non-leather sneakers to Shul before Shabbos so they will be available immediately on Motzei Shabbos. Shabbos is over at 8:36 PM. Maariv will begin at 9:00 PM. Eicha will be recited at 9:10 PM.
Havdalah is not recited on Motzei Shabbos but one makes the brocho of "Boray meoray hoaish" over havdalah candles. Weekday activity is permitted after reciting "Atta chonontanu" in Maariv. Women should say "Boruch hamavdil bein kodesh l'chol" before engaging in weekday work. Therefore, they should recite those words before driving to Shul to hear Eicha.

Shacharis on Sunday morning, August 14, is at 8:00 AM. Recitation of Kinnos begins at 8:45 AM. Chatzos (midday) is at 1:25 PM. Mincha is at 2:00 PM and 7:35 PM. Fast ends at 8:33 PM.
1. The fast of Tisha B'Av is different in that it begins at sunset of the previous day (like Yom Kippur), unlike the other fast days which begin at daybreak.
2. A pregnant or nursing woman must fast unless she is ill or would be greatly distressed by fasting. A woman who gave birth during the past 30 days is not obligated to fast.
3. It is forbidden to wear shoes which contain any leather in the construction of the shoe (ornamental strips of leather are permitted). It is permitted to wear shoes of wood, rubber, plastic or cloth.
4. It is forbidden to wash any part of one’s body, even with cold water. Upon rising in the morning, one should wash his hands three times, to the end of the knuckles. Upon drying your hands, even though they are still damp, you are permitted to wipe your eyes and the rest of your body.
5. If one becomes soiled he may wash in a manner necessary to remove the dirt.
6. It is forbidden to have marital relations. If a woman is supposed to go to the Mikvah on Tisha B’Av, she postpones it until after the fast.
7. One should minimize personal pleasure on Tisha B’Av. For example, one should use only one pillow if he usually sleeps with two pillows. One should not sit on a chair on Tisha B’Av until after midday, 1:25 PM. The night Tefillos are recited with minimal light. One does not greet a friend on Tisha B’Av. If you are greeted by someone ignorant of this law, you should answer him in a solemn manner and explain your actions to prevent ill will.
8. It is forbidden to use moisturizing creams or oils. Likewise, one may not use perfumes or colognes. One may use antiperspirant or deodorant to prevent unpleasant odor. It is permitted to use a salve on a skin irritation.
9. It is the custom not to work on Tisha B’Av until after midday (1:25 pm). One should certainly not work until after the Kinnos have been completed. One should not spend his time in idleness.
10. Preparations for the meal after the fast should not begin before midday.
11. Tallis and Tefillin are not worn at Shacharis, but are worn at Mincha. Tallis Koton is worn all day without a brocho.
12. Only the Chazan says Aneinu at Shacharis. Everyone says Nachem and Aneinu at Mincha.
13. It is forbidden to learn Torah on Tisha B’Av, except for the Halachos of mourning and topics relating to the Churbon.

Motzei Tisha B'Av

Since Havdalah was not recited on Motzei Shabbos, it must be recited on Sunday night. Havdalah is said on a cup of wine or beer. Havdalah only consists of the Brocho on the wine or beer and "Hamavdil". Since the Bais HaMikdash continued burning on the Tenth of Av, therefore, the custom is not to eat meat or drink wine until noon of the day after Tisha B'Av (Monday at noon). Bathing, haircuts, washing clothes and listening to music are likewise prohibited until Monday at noon.
In the merit of our scrupulous adherence to these laws of mourning over our Temple's destruction, may we be worthy of the blessing issued by our sages:
"All those who mourn sincerely over Jerusalem will surely be privileged to rejoice in its reconstruction." Taanis 30a

***Joseph & Dorita Perelis upon the birth of a grandson.
The proud parents are Ronnie & Tammy Perelis.
***Rav Kalman & Rucha Baumann upon the birth of a grandson.
The proud parents are Nachum & Penina Meth.
***Zvi & Debbie Gold upon the birth of a
grandson, Daniel Shlomo. The proud parents are Efraim & Atara Marcus.
and the birth of a granddaughter, Aliza Tova.
The proud parents are Dovid & Aviva Gardin.
***Robert & Rita Galbut upon the marriage of their daughter, Erica to Ari Newman.
***Steven & Dahlia Oppenheimer upon the marriage of their son,
Doni to Miriam Shapiro.
***Jim & Yael Putney upon the engagement of their son,
Jonah Honeyman to Chana Dina Alper.
***Bob & Marlene Heller upon the engagement of their son,
Aaron to Shira Schamroth.

Happy Anniversary to...

Ron & Miriam Baron on their 43rd anniversary!
Benjamin & Ellen Befeler on their 40th anniversary!
Dov & Carol Dunaevsky on their 43rd anniversary!
Murray & Chaya Kirschner on their 43rd anniversary!

***Shimon Farmer upon the loss of his beloved mother, Mrs. Patsy Hancock
***Rita Galbut upon the loss of her beloved mother, Mrs. Lillian Horowitz

Channa Lee Stolper, Melissa Drachman, Chaim Peppard, Moshe Yaakov Peppard,
Zvi Gold, Aaron Gluck, Chaim Lampert, Ariel Gross, Morton Furst, Nathan Katz,
Ellen Goldberg-Katz, Dahlia Mingel, Asher Sova, Yitzchok Manaster,
Fred Mingel, Rifka Pomper, Chaim Herman, Jordan Frohlinger,
Mordechai Gluck, and Racheli Kahn.

BB Brecher, Debbie Gold, Sheila Bistritszky, Mark Drachman, Dovid Peppard, Deborah Furst, Ariel Benmergui, Toby Kahn, Jack Levine, Sorah Levine, Ezra Pomper, David Smith, Sami Kissel, Rachel (Schechter) Kutner, Lidia Resnick, Matilde Tropp, Joel Mingel, Amanda Gordon, Benjamin Glueck, Rafael Katz, Mark Pomper,
Nina Yarus, & Randi Gordon.