The laws of the Nine Days
extend from sunset Tuesday evening, July 25th, 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.
|