The Laws of Tisha B’av vol.4, no.25
Tachanun is not recited
during the Mincha service on afternoon before Tisha B’av.
Two meals are eaten on the afternoon before Tisha B’av. The first meal is customarily
eaten before Mincha. One should not fill up to the extent that he will not be able to eat
the second meal, the seudah hamafsekes.
The seudah hamafsekes ( literally the dividing meal) is eaten after Mincha, as Tisha
B’av approaches. The custom is to eat the meal while sitting on the ground. The
custom is to eat only bread, a cold hard-boiled egg and water. Some dip the bread in ashes
and recite “This is the meal of Tisha B’av.” Three men should avoid
eating together so that they will not be obligated to recite Bircas Hamazon with a
mezuman.
After the meal one should preferably make a verbal or mental declaration that he is not
accepting upon himself the fast until sunset in order that he can eat and drink until
then.
One should remove his leather shoes before sunset.
On Tisha B’av one is not allowed to eat, drink, bathe or wash, anoint oneself, have
marital relations, wear leather shoes, or learn Torah (with various exceptions as will be
explained).
All adults, even pregnant women are required to fast. If fasting may cause a risk to
one’s health he should consult a competent halachic authority. Those who must eat
should try not to indulge or eat more than necessary.
One may wash off dirt from his body. One may wash his hands up to the joints at the end of
his fingers. A bride within thirty days of her wedding may wash her face.
One may not learn or teach Torah on Tisha B’av, except for the ollowing: the Book of
Job; portions of Jeremiah dealing with the destruction; the Book of Lamentations,
its Medrash and commentaries; the third chapter of Moed Katan; Gittin (56-58);
Sanhedrin (104); the book of Josephus; the laws of Tisha B’av and
mourning. The one who reads the Torah for the congregation can prepare the portion he will
read.
One should try to limit his business dealings or even avoid business the entire day.
