DailyHalacha.com for Mobile Devices Now Available

Click Here to Sponsor Daily Halacha
"Delivered to Over 6000 Registered Recipients Each Day"

      
(File size: 846 KB)
The Status of the Week of Tisha B’Ab When it Falls on Sunday

Several mourning practices are observed during the week of Tisha B’Ab, from Mosa’eh Shabbat before Tisha B’Ab until after the fast. These include haircutting and shaving. The Halachic authorities addressed the question of how these Halachot apply in years such as this year, when Tisha B’Ab falls on Shabbat and is thus observed on Sunday (as fasting is inappropriate on Shabbat), or, for that matter, if Tisha B’Ab actually falls on Sunday. In these situations, Tisha B’Ab begins immediately after Shabbat, and thus there is no "Shabu’a Sh’hal Bo Tisha B’Ab" (week of Tisha B’Ab). Do the restrictions of the week of Tisha B’Ab apply in such a case, and, if so, when?

Hacham Ovadia Yosef ZT"L ruled that strictly speaking, the Halachot of "Shabu’a Sh’hal Bo Tisha B’Ab" do not apply in such a case. Since Tisha B’Ab begins immediately after Shabbat, there is no "week of Tisha B’Ab," and one may shave and take a haircut throughout the previous week. However, in Halichot Olam (vol. 2), Hacham Ovadia notes the ruling of the Ben Ish Hai (Rav Yosef Haim of Baghdad, 1833-1909), in Parashat Debarim (12), that in such a case one should preferably abstain from shaving and haircutting the Friday before Tisha B’Ab, so he does not appear perfectly groomed on Tisha B’Ab. This is also the position of Rav Haim Palachi (Turkey, 1788-1869), in his work Mo’ed Le’chol Hai. Hacham Ovadia notes that this is the position of the Kolbo, as well.

Elsewhere in his writings, Hacham Ovadia noted the custom observed by some to refrain from haircutting and shaving throughout the entire week before Tisha B’Ab when it falls on Sunday. Rabbi Biton, in Yalkut Yosef, writes that this is the preferred practice.

As for the final Halacha, then, it is permissible to shave and take a haircut during the week before Tisha B’Ab when the fast is observed on Sunday, though one who wishes to be stringent should refrain from shaving and haircutting the Friday before Tisha B’Ab, and those who wish to be extra stringent should refrain throughout the previous week.

Summary: Strictly speaking, when Tisha B’Ab is observed on Sunday, one is allowed to shave and take a haircut the week before Tisha B’Ab, without any restrictions. However, many have the custom to refrain from shaving and haircutting in such a case on the Friday before Tisha B’Ab, and there are those who refrain throughout the entire week before Tisha B’Ab.

 


Recent Daily Halachot...
The Priceless Value of Serving as Sandak
The Connection Between Berit Mila and Speech
The Importance of the Berit Mila Meal and the Meal on the Friday Night Before the Berit
Which Kind of Kohen Should One Select for a Pidyon Ha’ben?
Pidyon Ha’ben – When is a Pidyon Required For a Firstborn Son?
Pidyon Ha’ben – May the Money be Given to a Kohenet?
The Pidyon Ha’ben Meal
If the Day of the Pidyon Ha’ben Falls on Shabbat, a Holiday, or a Fast Day
When Should a Pidyon Ha’ben be Performed for a Child Who Cannot Yet be Circumcised?
Using an Object of Value for Pidyon Ha’ben
Pidyon Ha’ben – If the Kohen Foregoes on the Money
May the Kohen Return the Money Received for a Pidyon Ha’ben?
Keeping One’s Word After Designating a Kohen for Pidyon Ha’ben
Pidyon Ha’ben – Appointing an Agent; Performing the Pidyon Far Away From the Baby
Naming a Baby at a Berit; the Permissibility of Naming an Ill Newborn Before the Berit
Page of 239
3585 Halachot found