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Guide to Tisha B’Av 5786/2026

ByNusach Hari Bnai Zion (NHBZ)

Tisha B’Av is the day in the Jewish calendar where we mourn for the destruction of both Temples, and many other calamities that have befallen the Jewish people throughout history. Our sages tell us that one who mourns for the destruction of Jerusalem will merit to see it be rebuilt (Taanit 30b). Here is an outline of the laws and customs of the day:

Erev Tisha B’Av – Wednesday, July 22

The Final Meal
It is the practice to have a minimal final meal of just bread, water, and a hard-boiled egg, before the fast begins (Shulchan Aruch and Rema OC 552:5).
We eat it sitting on the floor. People eat apart from each other so that they do not form a Zimun (Ibid. 552:7-8). It is customary to dip a piece of bread into ashes and declare, “This is the meal of Tisha B’Av” (Mishnah Berurah 552:16).

One may have a larger meal prior to this meal in order that they be sufficiently prepared for the fast. This is as long as one has a slight break between the meals, and that they leave some room for the final meal (Rema OC 552:10; Mishnah Berurah 552:22).

Tefillot and Eichah
Mincha/Maariv will be at 8:05pm. The fast begins at 8:20pm.
After Maariv, we read the book of Eichah, which recalls the destruction of Jerusalem. Afterwards, we recite a few Kinnot (lamentations).

Tisha B’Av – Thursday, July 23

The sages mention five national tragedies that occurred on the 9th of Av, including the destruction of both Temples (Taanit 26a). Many subsequent tragedies have also auspiciously befallen the Jewish people on this day. On this day, we mourn for all of the tragedies and try our best to re-experience them. As such, we keep the following restrictions, beginning on Wednesday night from 8:20pm:

Eating and Drinking – We do not eat or drink.

  • One may swallow a non-chewable, unflavoured pill without water, as this is not considered
    eating (Igrot Moshe OC 111:91).
  • Pregnant and nursing women who do not have health complications are required to fast
    (Shulchan Aruch 554:5).
  • One who suffers from an illness that prevents them from functioning as normal to the extent that they need to lie down, need not fast (Aruch HaShulchan OC 554:7). This does not apply to common side-effects of fasting, such as weak headaches. If you have any questions about fasting, please contact Rabbi Rubin.
  • One who is not fasting, including children, should still avoid eating delicacies and fancy foods, in order that they participate in mourning with the community (Mishnah Berurah 550:5).

Wearing Leather Shoes – We do not wear leather shoes.

Bathing and Anointing – We do not bathe or anoint ourselves, including putting on perfumes or deodorant.

  • When washing one’s hands in the morning or after using the restroom, one should only wash up to the knuckles (Shulchan Aruch OC 554:10).
  • These restrictions apply to washing and anointing for pleasure. One who becomes dirty may wash the dirt of themselves. Similarly, one who has a skin condition may use lotion (Ibid. 554:14-15).

Marital Relations – We do not engage in marital relations.

Greetings – We do not greet others throughout the day.

  • One who is greeted by someone else who is not aware of this restriction, may respond, but in an undertone (Ibid. 554:20).

Torah Study – We do not engage in Torah study, as Torah study promotes joy.

  • One may study Eichah with the Midrash and commentaries, Iyov (Job), and parts of the Talmud that discuss the destruction of Jerusalem and other tragedies; though, one should avoid studying them in significant depth (Ibid. 554:1-3; Mishnah Berurah 554:4).
  • One read any Torah sections that are part of the daily prayers (Shulchan Aruch OC 554:4).
  • If a practical Halakhic question arises, one may ask it and receive an answer (Mishnah Berurah 554:5).

Sitting on Chairs – It is customary to avoid sitting on a regular chair until Halakhic midday, at
1:07pm (Rema OC 559:3).

  • Until this time, one may sit on a chair that is lower than usual (Mishnah Berurah 559:11).
  • One who is physically weak, for whom for whom it would be difficult to sit on a low chair,
    may sit on a regular chair (Aruch HaShulchan YD 387:3).
  • At night, one should try to make their sleep less comfortable, such as by reducing the number pillows they use, or by sleeping on the floor (Rema OC 555:2).

Work on Tisha B’Av – It is preferable not to perform work or other activities that distract one from mourning, at least until Halakhic midday, at 1:07pm (Ibid. 554:21).

Tefillot on Tisha B’Av

  • We refrain from wearing Tallit and Tefillin in the morning, and they are both worn at Mincha (Shulchan Aruch OC 555:1).
  • We do not say Tachanun or Avinu Malkeinu, as Tisha B’Av is called a ‘festival’ (Ibid. 559:4).
  • After Torah reading in the morning, we recite a number of Kinnot (lamentations) to to mourn for the destruction of Jerusalem and a number of subsequent calamities.
  • At Mincha, in addition to the prayer of ‘Aneinu’ for fast days, we insert the prayer of ‘Nachem’ in our Amidah, in the blessing of ‘Boneh Yerushalayim’ (Rema OC 557:1)

Conclusion of Fast
This year, the fast concludes at 8:54pm.

Tenth of Av – Friday, July 24

Since the burning of the Temple continued into the 10th of Av, the mourning practices of the Nine Days (see the guide to the Nine Days) remain in place on the 10th, until Halakhic midday, at 1:07pm.

However, since this year, the 10th of Av is on a Friday, one may do laundry, bathe, and get a haircut immediately after the fast, in honour of Shabbat (Siddur Yaavetz; Mishnah Berurah 558:3).

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me: rabbirubin@nhbz.org
May we soon merit to see the rebuilding of the Temple and the full redemption of the Jewish people.

Rabbi Rubin

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