Practical Halachos of Tishah B’Av
Written by Rabbi Simcha Stender
Reviewed and Approved by Harav Simcha Bunim Cohen Shlita

As Tishah B’Av approaches, here are practical halachos to keep in mind:

Erev Tishah B’Av

• Avoid leisure trips or recreational walks after chatzos.
• The final meal before the fast, the Seudah Hamafsekes, is traditionally eaten while sitting on the floor. The common custom is to wash on bread and eat a hard-boiled egg, dipping either the bread or egg into ashes while saying, “This is the Tishah B’Av meal.”
• Do not eat two different cooked foods at the Seudah Hamafsekes. Since an egg is considered a cooked food, no other cooked food should be eaten with it. Roasted foods have the same status. Bread is not considered a cooked food.
• Even someone exempt from fasting should eat a Seudah Hamafsekes.
• Three men should not eat the meal together to avoid the obligation of zimun.
• One may continue eating and drinking until shkiah unless the fast has been accepted verbally. It is preferable to state before bentching that you do not intend to accept the fast yet.

Washing & Personal Care

• Morning netilas yadayim and washing after using the restroom should be only until the knuckles.
• After drying your hands, you may wipe your eyes with the slight remaining moisture.
• If part of the body becomes dirty, it may be washed with cold water. Soap or hand sanitizer may be used when necessary for cleanliness or hygiene.
• After using the restroom, hands may be washed until the knuckles due to ruach ra. Many have the custom to first touch a normally covered part of the body.
• After changing a diaper or when needed for cleanliness, soap may be used.
• One should not rinse the mouth or brush with toothpaste. A dry toothbrush is permitted.
• If someone is in significant discomfort, they may brush with toothpaste or use mouthwash. Mouthwash is preferred over water, and care should be taken not to swallow any liquid.
• Medicated creams, Vaseline, lip balm for chapped lips, and deodorant are permitted when used for health or hygiene.

Additional Halachos

• Makeup and lipstick should not be applied on Tishah B’Av.
• The prohibition on leather applies only to shoes. Leather belts and watches may be worn.
• The common custom is that even children do not wear leather shoes.
• The harchakos of mitah echas and negiah apply on the night of Tishah B’Av.
• Greeting others (“hello,” “good morning,” etc.) is prohibited. Some permit saying “goodbye” or “good night.”
• A slight nod is permitted. If someone greets you unaware of the halachah, respond quietly and solemnly.

Miscellaneous

• Sleep with less comfort than usual, such as using one pillow instead of two.
• If you must leave Kinos early, ensure you recite the remainder of davening.
• Tallis and tefillin are worn at Minchah, not Shacharis. The common custom is not to make a berachah on the tallis katan in the morning, relying on the berachah over the tallis gadol later.
• Until chatzos, avoid activities that distract from the aveilus, including work, house cleaning, and washing dishes. A non-Jew may perform household work. If dishes must be washed, gloves should be worn to keep hands dry.
• Many poskim discourage smoking or vaping. Someone who is addicted may smoke privately after chatzos according to many opinions, though some permit earlier and others do not permit vaping at all.
• After the fast, many Nine Days restrictions continue until chatzos the next day, including no meat, wine, regular showers, haircuts, laundry, or music.
• Since this year Tishah B’Av falls on Thursday, laundry, haircuts, and showers needed for Shabbos are permitted beginning Thursday night. Many recommend delaying haircuts until Friday morning. The prohibitions on meat, wine, and music continue until Friday chatzos.

Prepared by Rabbi Simcha Stender and reviewed by Harav Simcha Bunim Cohen Shlita.