What is done differently this year with Tisha B’av falling on Shabbat and being pushed off to Sunday?
Seuda Shlishit: The baraita (cited in
Ta’anit 29a) says that one may eat an extravagant meal on Shabbat even when
Tisha B’Av falls on Motzaei Shabbat. The Tur (Orach Chayim 552) cites
minhagim that one is allowed and would do best to curtail the Shabbat
meal. This is especially so at seuda shlishit, which is, in
effect, the seuda hamafseket (the last meal before Tisha B’Av, which
usually has strong elements of mourning). However, these considerations are
countered by the need to avoid displaying mourning on Shabbat. Therefore, there
are no real restrictions, even at seuda shlishit (Shulchan Aruch, OC
552:10). However, the mood should somewhat reflect the coming of Tisha B’Av, as
long as it does not bring on clearly noticeable changes (Mishna Berura 552:23).
One important halachic requirement is that one must finish eating before sunset
(Rama, ad loc.).
Havdala: One says Havdala in
tefilla or separately in the declaration of “Baruch
Hamavdil…,” which enables him to do actions that are forbidden on Shabbat.
Havdala over a cup of wine is done after Tisha B’Av (Shulchan Aruch, OC
556:1). If one forgot to mention Havdala in Shemoneh Esrei, he does not
repeat Shemoneh Esrei even though he will not make Havdala
over wine until the next day. Rather, he makes the declaration of Baruch
Hamavdil (Mishna Berura 556:2). Unlike Havdala during the Nine
Days, where we try to give the wine to a child (Rama 551:10), after Tisha B’Av
an adult can freely drink that wine (Mishna Berura 556:3). The beracha
on besamim is not said this week. On Tisha B’Av it is not appropriate,
because it is a reviving pleasure, and one can make this beracha only
on Motzaei Shabbat.
The beracha on the fire is
specific to Motzaei Shabbat, is not a pleasure, and does not require a
cup.
Therefore, we recite the beracha on fire in shul after
Ma’ariv, before reading Eicha (Mishna Berura 556:1). There are those
who say that a woman should, in general, avoid making Havdala. A major
reason is the doubt whether a woman is obligated in the beracha on
fire, which is not directly related to Shabbat and thus is a regular
time-related mitzva, from which women are exempt (Be’ur Halacha 296:8).
Therefore, it is better for one whose wife will not be in shul at the
time of the beracha to have in mind not to fulfill the mitzva
at that time, but to make the beracha on the fire together with his wife
(Shemirat Shabbat K’hilchata 62:(98)).
Taking off shoes:
As mentioned, one may not do a noticeable act of mourning before Shabbat
is over. While finishing eating before sunset or refraining from washing need
not be noticeable, taking off shoes is. There are two minhagim as to
when to take them off: 1) One waits until after Shabbat is out, says
Hamavdil, and then changes clothes and goes to shul. One can
do so a little earlier than the regular time listed for Shabbat ending, which is
usually delayed a little bit beyond nightfall to allow for a significant
extension of Shabbat. The exact time is not clear and depends on the latitude of
one’s location. It is advisable to start Ma’ariv a little late in order
to allow people to do so and make it to shul (ibid.:40; Torat Hamoadim
9:1), unless the rabbi has ruled that everyone should take the following
approach. 2) One takes off his shoes after Barchu of Ma’ariv.
One who takes the second approach should bring non-leather footwear and
Eicha/Kinot to shul before Shabbat to avoid hachana
(preparations for after Shabbat). However, if one uses these sefarim a
little in shul before Shabbat is out, he may bring them on Shabbat
(Shemirat Shabbat K’hilchata ibid.:41)
.
Restrictions
after Tisha B’Av:
Since much of the Beit Hamikdash burnt on 10 Av, the minhag
developed to not eat meat or drink wine on this day. Some are stringent on
laundering, bathing, and haircutting until midday of the 10th. On a year like this, only meat and wine are
restricted and only at night (Rama, OC ibid.; Mishna Berura ad loc. 4).
[Machon Eretz Chemdah]
