The 3 Weeks Archives

According to Halacha is it permissible for one to hit their child? And if not, why was it so common to do so up until just a few years ago?

According to halacha a parent is allowed to hit their child for chinuch purposes (including to teach proper behavior, ethics etc.), because it's being done for the child's good.…

Is it true that Minhag Chabad is to refrain from eating meat even after making a Siyum during the 9 days?

I have not heard of such a Minhag as an official Chabad Minhag. In Sefer Haminhagim it relates: כ"ק אדמו"ר (מהרש"ב) נ"ע הי' נוהג לעשות סיומים בט' ימים שבין…

השאלות להלן הם הן בנוגע לגדר ההלכתי של סיום (בנוגע לאכילת בשר סעודת מצוה תענית בכורות וכו’) והן בנוגע למנהג עריכת סיומים בתשעת הימים:

א. אם נכנס אדם באמצע הסעודה אחרי הסיום, האם נחשב שהשתתף בהסיום? הדבר שנוי במחלוקת. (המקילין: ראה שו"ת מהר"ם בריסק ח"א סי' קל"ג לענין תענית בכורות, וכ"כ המנח"י ח"ט…

I was watching a video about whether Chassidim consider Tisha B’Av a day of mourning which got me a little confused. Am I supposed to make an effort to be sad or just focus on rebuilding the Beis Hamikdash and Moshiach? In general I’m a bit confused about whether Chassidim can ever be sad or we should push away any sad emotions and always be happy.

I can’t comment about what you heard or saw somewhere else. As for your actual question: There is an halachic obligation to mourn the destruction of the Beis Hamikdash…

Are you allowed to get professional manicure and pedicure in honor of Shabbos during the 9 days, if you don’t cut the nails?

This week this should be avoided, as tomorrow is Rosh Chodesh, unless you do this every week. See here: https://asktherav.com/can-should-i-cut-my-nails-on-rosh-chodesh-which-falls-on-erev-shabbos/ Next week, better to avoid it, however, there is…

Can I get a manicure / pedicure / eyebrows waxed in 9 days?

All three should be avoided this week. Cutting nails this week is a Machlokes. Every manicure and pedicure involves filing which is considered cutting. Since it’s more than plain…

May one mend clothing during the nine days?

Yes. מועד לכל חי י, יח. כה״ח תקנא, קז. ולהעיר משו״ת שאילת יעבץ א, פב. #5018

Can a tear in pants be patched and/or sewn during 9 days?

Yes. בא״ח דברים י. #5015

Am I allowed to wear new clothes on Shabbos of the 9 days?

No. Sources: שו"ע תקנא יז. קיצור שו"ע קכב, ב. וראה היום יום כ"א תמוז. #5011

Can someone be “Yotze” a Siyum via Telephone etc.?

A Siyum on the radio, phone or video is acceptable and one may eat meat. However, L'Chatchilla one shouldn't rely on this and should make or hear a proper…

Each week the women of our community gather for a class on Shabbos Afternoon. On Shabbos Tisha B’Av it is my turn to host. What are the rules as far as what we could do with our time? Can we learn Inyonei Moshiach and Geula? Is there anything we are NOT permitted to learn? Can we share stories, Divrei Hisorerus?

There are deferring opinions regarding Torah study on this Shabbos. After Chatzos it is proper to study only those topics that are permitted on Tisha B'Av. If this is…

יש לנו מקוה ואנשים באים ומשתמשים במגבות של המקוה, האם מותר לכבס את המגבות שיהיו נקיים ליום הבא?

מותר. מקור: ראה שו״ת שלמת חיים שי-יא. הליכות שלמה בין המצרים יד בהע׳ 42. קובץ פסקי הלכות (קמינצקי) יא, כה (ע׳ קנה). ועוד. וכ״ה בכ״מ לענין אורחים, בתי מלון…

By mistake I ate a Schnitzel sandwich today and only realized after I had eaten it that it’s the nine days. I feel terrible and want to know how I could do Teshuva.

You should remove your mind from this completely and serve Hashem in a happy manner. It should be noted that according to the strict Halacha one may eat meat…

My son is coming home from overnight camp today, and usually everything he brings home needs to be washed. All his clothing, linen, towels, blankets, sleeping bag, pillows, etc. A lot of times it has a wet, mildew smell even if it was washed in the camp laundry. Am I allowed to wash anything he brings home in the washing machine? I’m afraid if I leave it for another week, things might ruin. There are also things he will need for Shabbos.

You may wash anything which you are concerned might get ruined. Other items should not be washed. טעמים ומקורות: כיבוס בדבר האבד - כך נתפשטה ההוראה, שאי״ז היסח…

If someone has an investment property that they need to close in the 9 days, otherwise they will lose the property and the deposit on the property. Is that allowed?

When there would be a substantial loss involved otherwise, you may close the investment property deal during the nine days. This is especially the case if this is you…

Can one buy new glasses in the 3 weeks? And if I already ordered it, should one wait until after 9 Av to wear it?

You may buy glasses during the three weeks unless it's just for pleasure. עיין משנ״ב תקנא, מה. #4969

I am purchasing a 2nd hand couch from a friend in the next day, as she will be moving shortly, she asked me to pick it up during the nine days, as she will be leaving during the nine days as well and she is not frum, I am wondering that being that I am paying for it before the nine days, am I allowed to pick it up during the nine days being that for me it is a new item?

You may purchase the couch. You should pay for it before the nine days begin. You may pick it up in middle of the nine days but you should…

באם קטן עושה סיום מסכת בבית הכנסת לגדולים, האם יוצאים בזה לענין סיום בתשעת הימים?

כן. מקורות: ראה שו״ת צפע״נ ב, י. והובא בלקו״ש חכ"ו ע׳ 73 הע׳ 39. וראה גם שם הע׳ 42. וכ״ה ע״פ המבואר שם בלקו״ש בפנים. וראה גם לקו״ש חי״ז ע׳…

What is the Lubavitch Minhag regarding showers on Erev Shabbos Chazon? Do we do it as on a regular Shabbos, hot water, soap/shampoo, whole body at once?

Nowadays the common custom is to take a regular shower. ראה משמרת שלום. והאריך בזה בקובץ בית אהרן וישראל תשע''ז. #807

Is it better to iron clean childrens cloths or wash dirty ones?

For litlle kids that soil their clothing frequently they are both acceptable. Even for older kids, this year they areboth acceptable. Generally, ironing without water better than washing. בגדי…