HaRav Netanel Levihim - Question May I do laundry, use a dry cleaner, or wear freshly laundered clothing during the week in which Tisha B'Av falls? Answer The Mishnah in Gemara Taanit 26b teaches that one may not launder clothing during the week in which Tisha B'Av falls. The Gemara debates whether this applies even to clothing meant to be worn only after Tisha … [Read more...]
LOST ARCADE CARD
HaRav Yishai Natan - I was at the arcades yesterday with my eight-year-old son. We were waiting at a racing game for another little Jewish boy to finish playing. When he got up, we noticed that he had forgotten his play card on the machine. I knew it was his because I remembered seeing him place it on the machine before he sat down. I looked around to see if I could find … [Read more...]
HALACHOT OF THE 9 DAYS AND SHAVUA SHE’HAL BO
Harav Yishai Natan - The Mishnah's Restrictions The Mishnah (Ta’anit 26b) records three restriction: Those are the only restrictions found explicitly in the Mishnah. Additional Customs Beginning on Rosh Hodesh Av The additional restrictions observed during the Nine Days come from a Beraita brought in Yevamot (43a). One example is neti'ah shel … [Read more...]
I WAS JUST JOKING
HaRav Yishai Natan - I run a barber shop that usually closes at 5:00. Today, someone came in close to closing time and asked for a haircut that normally takes twenty minutes. I wanted to go home already, so I told him, “I’m sorry, it is too close to closing.” He said, “I’ll give you $200 if you do it now.” I agreed and gave him the haircut. Afterward, he said he was … [Read more...]
Q&A – Meat and Wine During the Nine Days
HaRav Netanel Levihim - Question: When does the minhag against eating meat and drinking wine begin before Tisha B'Av, and are there exceptions? Answer The Mishnah (Taanit 26b) says the restriction on meat and wine only starts after midday on Erev Tisha B'Av, by the Seudat Hamafseket, according to the Tanna Kamma. The Gra (551:9) explains that this whole minhag comes … [Read more...]