The question was asked in the laws of Tisha BeAv, if it is permissible or not to wash dishes on Tisha BeAv. Chacham Ben Tzion addresses this question in his sefer Or L’Tzion, Helek 3. This question applies to all years no matter what day of the week Tisha BeAv falls out on, but the question carries more weight this year for us as Tisha BeAv falls out on Motzae Shabbat, on a night that we will have the dishes from Shabbat to clean. According to Chacham Ben Tzion, one should not wash dishes unless the dishes are needed.
Now what about the pots and serving platters? Chacham Ben Tzion answers on this, that one should wait until Chatzot (mid-day) to clean them. In the New York, New Jersey area, that would be at about 1:00 PM.
Chacham Ben Tzion gives a reason for these rules. On Tisha BeAv, one should be concentrating on the mourning of the Bet Mikdash. Doing chores like washing dishes, would take one’s mind off the mourning and the fast. Therefore, it is preferred that one avoids these chores so as not to lose focus on the purpose of the day.
Another question in Chacham Ben Tzion’s sefer Or L’Tzion addresses the topic of sleeping patterns on Tisha BeAv. Some people sleep on the floor on Tisha BeAv in an expression of great mourning. Some people take their mattress from atop the box spring and place it on the floor on Tisha BeAv. Although sleeping on the floor or displacing a mattress is not Halacha, according to Chacham Ben Tzion, it nevertheless is praiseworthy. Chacham Ben Tzion says those people are considered Chasidim, and upon them will come blessing.
The Rama also discusses sleeping on Tisha BeAv. He suggests for a person to alter his sleeping habit for that night as well. The Rama writes to sleep with one pillow if two pillows are normally used. But again, this is not Halacha, and according to Chacham Ben Tzion, modifying one’s sleeping habits in such a way is praiseworthy. One does not need to change his sleeping habits if he will not be able to sleep, but if he does change it a little in a show of mourning, upon him will come blessing.
