By Rabbi Doniel Neustadt

When Tisha B’Av falls on Thursday, the halachos of the Tenth of Av are different to usual.

The Nine Days begins on Rosh Chodesh Av and ends on the evening of Tishah B’Av. But because the Beis Hamikdash was actually destroyed on the tenth of Av, Ashkenazi custom dictates that many of the Nine Days restrictions continue to be in effect on the tenth of Av as well, until chatzos.

However, when Tishah B’Av falls on a Thursday, as it does this year, many of these restrictions aren’t practiced on Thursday night or Friday, since doing so might be in conflict with the important mitzvah of preparing for Shabbos.

There are many opinions and customs as to exactly which restrictions continue to be in effect on Thursday night and Friday, and which don’t. There are also various opinions as to when exactly these restrictions are lifted.

If you have a specific family custom regarding this issue, then continue to follow it. Otherwise, the list below can serve as a guide for you and your family to follow:

Business / Construction / Gifts                          – Thursday night

Cleaning (house) for Shabbos                            – Thursday after chatzos (if necessary)[1]

Embroidery / Crocheting                                        – Thursday night

Food shopping and preparation                    – Thursday after chatzos[2]

Haircut and Beard Trim                                           – Thursday night

Laundry / Dry Cleaners (all clothes)               – Thursday night

Laundry separation / preparation                     – Thursday after chatzos (if necessary)

Meat[3] and Wine                                                            – Friday after chatzos

Mending / Sewing                                                        – Thursday night

Music / Dancing                                                           – Friday after chatzos

Nail cutting                                                                      – Friday morning (Thursday night, if necessary)

Shaving (for Shabbos[4])                                            – Thursday night

Shaving (not for Shabbos)                                     – Friday after chatzos

Shower (cold / lukewarm, for hygiene)          – Thursday night

Shower / Bath (hot, for pleasure)                      – Friday after chatzos

Shower / Bath (hot, for Shabbos[5])                    – Friday morning

Shehecheyanu                                                              – Friday after chatzos

Shopping (Shabbos clothes)                                – Thursday night

Shopping (weekday clothes)                                – Friday after chatzos

Swimming (adults) / Boating                                – Friday after chatzos[6]

Swimming (small children) / Sprinklers        – Thursday night

Travelling                                                                           – Thursday night

Wearing laundered / new clothes                     – Friday after chatzos[7]

Wearing freshly set / new wig                              – Friday after chatzos[8]

Wig washing and setting                                     – Thursday night

[1] A regularly scheduled cleaning lady may come before chatzos as well.

[2] If necessary, food shopping permitted before chatzos as well.

[3] Clear chicken soup is permitted Thursday night. Meat and wine are permitted at a siyum on Thursday night.

[4] Not planning to shave again for Shabbos.

[5] Not planning to bathe or shower again for Shabbos.

[6] Swimming for exercise permitted Thursday night.

[7] If pre-worn or used is not available, fresh or new may be worn from Thursday night.

[8] If pre-worn or used is not available, fresh or new may be worn from Thursday night.