"The Three Weeks"
Every summer is marked by a period of three weeks wherein Jews around the world mark two major calamities that befell our people in ancient times. These three weeks are inaugurated by the Seventeenth of Tammuz, and they conclude on the Ninth of Av. Historically, the first date was when the city of Jerusalem went under siege. The city of Jerusalem fell three weeks later, on Tisha B'Av. The schedule this summer is -
Tisha B'Av Eve (Monday, August 12) -
Minchah - 7:45pm
Fast begins - 7:54pm
Maariv - 8:00pm, followed by reading of Eichah
Tisha B'Av (Tuessday, August 13)
Shacharit & Kinot - 7:00am
Minchah and Maariv 7:30pm
Fast ends - 8:28pm
Traditions and Observances
The intensity of the mourning mounts as the days pass. For the duration of the three weeks, we abstain from haircuts, live music concerts, and elective occasions when it might be appropriate to recite the blessing of "Shehechiyanu". Weddings are not performed during these three weeks; and when possible, we postpone major purchases and major projects. Shaving should be avoided by men whose employment performance would not be detrimentally impacted by a scruffy face. Beginning with the first day of the month of Av (Monday, August 5), we eliminate meat and wine from our daily diets (except for Shabbat); and we also eliminate recreational bathing. Some men abstain from shaving during these final nine days. We try to avoid wearing freshly laundered clothing during these nine days, and washing clothes is kept to a minimum. The Temple of Jerusalem fell on Tisha B'Av and it was set on fire near the end of the day, and the fires burned into the next day. Therefore, meat and wine are avoided at the dinner that breaks the day's fast; meat and wine are not consumed until after noon of the following day.
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