Nine Days - Annual re-enactment of sadness

Hello,

With the start of the month of Av, and the Nine Days of mourning preceding Tishah b'Av, we participate in a national re-enactment of the sadness of this time of year during years gone by. Therefore, we decrease our joy and celebrations as the month begins.

We also consider ourselves to be exceptionally vulnerable during this time, and so we postpone activities which could take advantage of our vulnerability. Thus, for example, we avoid litigation during this period of time.

(Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 551:1)

Have a good day,
Mordechai