The Three Weeks: An Overview

the fast of the 17th of the month of thomas on this day moshe descended from mount sinai and upon finding the jews worshiping the golden calf he broke the tablets of the law the luchos that god had given him also on this day the roman army that had laid siege to jerusalem managed to breach the walls of the city which led to the destruction of the second temple several other tragedies befell the jewish nation on this day and because of all these tragedies the rabbis designated the 17th day of thomas as a day of mourning all males above the age of our mitzvah and all females above the age of bas mitzvah must refrain from eating and drinking from dawn until nightfall pregnant and nursing woman should consult a rabbi washing oneself is permitted but there are those who refrain from bathing or showering with hot water for pleasure slijos and avino malcano are recited as well shivas are tamas also marks the beginning of the three weeks the period of national mourning over the destruction of the temple which culminates on tisha above from shiva sir with thomas until rosh chodesh ave we do not take haircuts shave listen to music or make weddings it is also customary to avoid activities that contain an element of danger try to avoid making expensive purchases that bring a person excessive happiness during this time now if you follow this far to custom taking a haircut and shaving are permitted until the week of tish from roshav until midday the day after tish above which is known as the nine days the morning intensifies bringing with it additional prohibitions it is forbidden to eat meat and drink wine except for shabbos and for asudas mitzvah such as a brass mila or a siem it is also forbidden to launder an iron clothing or even to wear freshly laundered clothing clothing that you intend to wear during this time should be tried on in advance for a certain period of time it is permitted to wear clean clothes in honor of shabbos while may not shower or bathe unless absolutely necessary to remove the sweat from one's body showering in honor of shabbos is permitted swimming is not permitted during the nine days for inspired him laundering clothing wearing fresh clothing and bathing are only forbidden during the week of tish above it is customary to refrain from traveling during the nine days unless absolutely necessary to avoid any dangerous situations we pray to god that he rebuild the holy temple speedily in our days and these laws will no longer apply