Chief Rabbi Issues Guidelines on Washing, Haircuts, and Cooking for Tisha B'Av Amid Sabbath Proximity

Ahead of Tisha B'Av, Israel's Chief Rabbi Kalman Bar released a special letter detailing the spiritual significance of the fast day alongside halachic instructions. The letter emphasizes the solemn nature of the day as one of mourning and destruction, yet also as a "moed" (appointed time) symbolizing future redemption and divine love. Rabbi Bar explains that the day’s sorrow reflects a father’s love for his children and hope for their return.

The letter outlines the laws for the fast's eve, including avoiding travel and eating a simple meal of one dish without meat, poultry, fish, or wine, often including bread with salt and hard-boiled eggs, sometimes dipped in ashes. Eating is done seated on the floor, and no invitations for meals are made. While the fast prohibits eating, drinking, bathing, anointing, wearing leather shoes, marital relations, and joyous Torah study from sunset until nightfall, Sephardic Jews refrain from work all day, whereas Ashkenazim observe restrictions until midday.

Special leniencies apply this year because the day after Tisha B'Av, the 10th of Av, falls on Friday, the eve of the Sabbath. These include permission to wash clothes and get haircuts on Thursday night after the fast ends, and to prepare Sabbath meals starting from Thursday midday if time is tight. Tasting meat dishes before midday Friday is also allowed to ensure proper seasoning. However, restrictions remain on listening to musical instruments and wearing freshly laundered clothes until after midday Friday, and bathing is limited to one wash for Sabbath preparation.

The Chief Rabbi’s letter serves to guide the public through the unique halachic challenges posed by the proximity of Tisha B'Av to the Sabbath, balancing mourning customs with Sabbath honor.