Novardok Yeshiva Ate Meat Every Meal During Tisha B'Av Nine Days by Holding Daily Talmud Completions

By ישראל שפירא

First reported by Kikar HaShabbat · Jul 15, 2026

What happened

The Novardok Yeshiva, facing severe food shortages during World War I, held a Talmud tractate completion at every meal during the Nine Days to permit eating meat, a practice historically recognized by various Jewish authorities despite the general prohibition of meat during this mourning period.

• 01The Nine Days traditionally forbid eating meat and wine, except in Yemenite communities.
• 02The Shulchan Aruch permits meat at a siyum meal, but some authorities restrict intentional timing.
• 03Novardok Yeshiva held daily siyums during WWI to legally eat meat amid food shortages.
• 04Historical sources show other rabbis and Hasidic leaders also completed tractates during the Nine Days to permit meat.
• 05This practice has rabbinic legitimacy across Lithuanian and Hasidic traditions.
• 06The article underscores the balance between halachic observance and practical needs in Jewish law.

Summary translated & synthesized from the sources below by baba. Read each original for the full report.

Full coverage · 2 outlets

The same event, reported separately by each newsroom. Open a few to compare what each emphasizes — and what they leave out.

Kikar HaShabbatRight · HebrewJul 16, 2026

Novardok Yeshiva Ate Meat Every Meal During Tisha B'Av Nine Days by Holding Daily Talmud Completions

Behadrei HaredimRight · HebrewJul 15, 2026

Rabbi Shabtai Levi Addresses Eating Meat at Talmud Completion During The Nine Days

Kikar HaShabbatRight · HebrewJul 15, 2026

Rabbi Yaakov Sinai Explains Why Finishing a Talmudic Tractate During Nine Days Does Not Permit Eating Meat

Related stories

Sephardic Jews Permitted to Eat Meat-Based Broth During Nine Days, Rabbi ExplainsJul 19, 2026Rabbi Yaakov Sinai Explains When Eating Meat Is Permitted During the Nine Days of AvJul 14, 2026Israeli Rabbi Condemns Using Talmud Study to Justify Meat and Parties During Mourning DaysJul 19, 2026Rabbi Shabtai Levi Explains Which Meal Ends the Tisha B'Av Fast and Permissible Foods for Break-FastJul 22, 2026Jewish Community Observes Mourning Customs During Nine Days Leading to Tisha B'AvJul 15, 2026Singer Yuval Dayan Reflects on Tisha B'Av Fasting and Its Spiritual MeaningJul 23, 2026