Thursday Tisha B’Av

Question: As Tisha B’Av falls on Thursday this year, are the restrictions of the Nine Days lifted before chatzos on Friday?

Answer: The Gemara (Taanis 29a) records that although the Beis Hamikdash was set alight towards the end of the ninth of Av, it continued burning throughout the tenth. Nevertheless, the fast remains on the ninth because the beginning of the calamity is considered the defining moment. The Yerushalmi (Taanis 4:6) records that some Amoraim fasted on both the ninth and tenth of Av.

Based on this, the Tur (OC 558:1) records the minhag not to eat meat or drink wine on the tenth of Av. Accordingly, the Shulchan Aruch (OC 558:1) prohibits meat and wine throughout the tenth, while the Rema limits this until chatzos. The Maharshal (92) extends the restriction to bathing, haircuts and laundry, and the Mishna Berura (558:3) records this as the accepted Ashkenazi practice. R’ Ovadia Yosef (Yechave Daas 5:41) rules that Sefardim follow the Shulchan Aruch and restrict only meat and wine.

Tosafos (Taanis 30a) permits laundering and haircuts from chatzos on Thursday when Tisha B’av falls on Thursday, to ease preparation for Shabbos. The Magen Avraham (551:18; 558:1) permits laundering on Thursday night or Friday in honour of Shabbos, and the Mishna Berura adds that bathing and haircuts are likewise permitted lekavod Shabbos.

R’ Yaakov Emden (Sheilas Ya'avetz 1:96) and R’ Ephraim Greenblatt (Rivevos Ephraim 2:155:6) permit bathing and haircuts immediately after the fast. The Kitzur Shulchan Aruch (124:20) and Aruch Hashulchan (OC 558:2), however, rule that one should wait until Friday morning.

R’ Shlomo Zalman Auerbach (Shemiras Shabbos Kehilchasa 42:n16; Halichos Shlomo, Tisha B’av 15:16 n27) permits laundering on Thursday night only for clothing needed for Shabbos. In cases of significant need, such as limited communal laundry facilities, R' Moshe Stern (Baer Moshe 3:79) permits all laundering on Thursday night.

The Aruch Hashulchan (OC 558:2) writes that meat and wine remain prohibited until chatzos on Friday, as eating them earlier is not considered preparation for Shabbos, although they remain permitted at a seudas mitzva.

In conclusion, one may launder clothing needed for Shabbos after the fast,. Bathing and haircuts should preferably be delayed until Friday morning, while music, meat and wine remain prohibited until chatzos.

In conclusion, when Tisha B’av falls on Thursday, Sefardim may resume bathing, haircuts and laundry immediately after the fast. Ashkenazim should wash only Shabbos laundry on Thursday night; other laundry should ideally wait until Friday morning unless there is a significant need. Bathing and haircuts should likewise be postponed until Friday morning. Meat, wine and music remain prohibited until chatzos on Friday.

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