Monday, August 4, 2014

The Tisha b'Av Demeanor

Hi,

On the fast of Tishah b'Av (observed this Monday night and Tuesday), one should not greet others in the normal manner of "Good morning, Hello, How are you." If one is greeted by a person who does not know better, one should respond politely but in a manner which indicates that the day is a day of mourning, and teach his interlocutor about the mournful fast if possible.

One also does not give gifts on this day.

We also minimize our comfort and dignity on the fast of Tisha b'Av, just as a mourner cares little for his own comfort or dignity when in his most intense grief. Therefore, there is a practice of minimizing one's comfort while sleeping. Those who ordinarily sleep with a pillow will sleep without a pillow that night; some people sleep on the floor.

(Code of Jewish Law Orach Chaim 554:20, 555:2; Mishneh Berurah 554:41)

המצפה לישועה,
Mordechai

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