Buying, building and renovating during the three weeks

Yesterday we explained some of the customs that are prevalent among Sephardic and Ashkenazi Jews during the three weeks between the 17th of Tamuz and the 9th of Ab. We mentioned, for example, that according to the Shulhan 'arukh during the three weeks it is appropriate to refrain from reciting the blessing Sheheheyanu for a new fruit or a new garment.  It is also customary to refrain from buying new clothing after the beginning of the month of Ab, except if the article will be more expensive after Tisha beAb. It is also appropriate to abstain from buying gold or any jewelry from Rosh Hodesh Ab. Except when done as an investment or as a business operation.   For Sephardim it is permitted to buy, rent or move into a new house until Rosh Chodesh Ab.  Many Sephardim however, will not abstain from buying a new house even after the beginning of the month of Ab. Particularly when the buying or renting of a property is considered more a business deal than a joyous act. Why? Because what it is forbidden during this period of time is any form of superfluous purchasing, building or renovation, i.e., when is done for joy and pleasure. That is not permitted because we are in a time of mourning. But any purchase or operation that is done for a need or as a business it is permitted.      If one is building his new home he can continue doing so and one does not have to discontinue his work (or the work of the company in charge of building his house) during the nine days.  One may not paint his home or do any unnecessary renovations in his house or buy any unnecessary new furniture during the nine days. But one can do any reparations or fix anything which needs to be fixed in his house, etc.  Purchasing something which is meant for a Mitzva is permitted. For example: buying Tefilin or a new book of Tora.    It is also permitted to buy non-leather shoes to wear them on Tish'a beAb.

Read  More on the Ashkenazi customs of  The Three Weeks  here  by Rabbi Shraga Simmons,  from Aish

THE THREE WEEKS: Mourning the destruction of the Bet haMiqdash

As we have previously explained (see here), on the 17th of Tamuz of the year 68 of the CE, after many months of siege, the walls of the city of Yerushalaim were destroyed by the Roman legions.       During three week the invading army pillaged the holy city, and thousands of Jews were tortured, killed or taken as slaves.   The second Bet haMiqdash was destroyed and burned three weeks after the Romans enter the city: the 9th of Ab. More than 600 years earlier, --in 586 BCE-- the first Bet haMiqdash was destroyed also on the 9th of Ab.   As we approach the 9th of Ab --the National day of Mourning for the Jewish People-- we observe certain restrictions associated with mourning. The restrictions are stricter as we get closer to the 9th of Ab. These customs differ from community to community.    A few illustrations:  WEDDINGS: The Rabbis of the Talmud (and Maimonides) did not mention any restrictions to be applied before the beginning of the month of Ab. For Sephardim it is not forbidden to have a wedding ceremony between the 17 of Tamuz and the beginning of the month of Ab. The Ashkenazi custom however, is to avoid wedding ceremonies from the 17th of Tamuz.  However,  and although technically permitted, the practical custom in our days is that Sephardic Jews do not celebrate weddings during the three weeks.   SHEHEHEYANU: The Shulhan Arukh mentions that it is good to refrains ourselves from eating a new fruit that will require the recitation of the blessing Sheheheyanu during the three weeks. The custom in this case is to allow the recitation of Sheheheyanu in Shabbat (for Sephardim and Ashkenazim, penine halakha).   HAIRCUT: For Sephardim it is permitted to get a haircut or shave until the week of Tisha beAb. The Ashkenazi tradition (and of some Moroccan Jews as well) is different: haircut or shaving is forbidden from the 17 of Tamuz. (Haircut restrictions do not apply to women).

Read  More on the customs of  The Three Weeks  here  by Rabbi Shraga Simmons,  from Aish

Why do we fast on the 17th of Tamuz?

Tomorrow June 25th we will commemorate the Fast of the Seventeenth of Tamuz.  Why is the 17th of Tamuz a day of fasting?   Five tragedies happened to the Jewish people on the 17th of Tammuz: 1. In Biblical times, Moses descended from Mount Sinai and upon seeing the Jews worshipping the golden calf, he broke the first set of tablets which carried the Ten Commandments. 2. King Menashe --a Jewish King and the worst sovereign of the Kingdom of Yehuda-- placed on that day an idol in the Holy Sanctuary of the Temple of Jerusalem, around the year 700 BCE. 3. In the time of the First Temple, in 587 BCE, the Kohanim (priests) were forced to discontinue the offering of the daily sacrifice. This sacrifice (qorban hatamid) had been given by the Jews since the time of the exodus of Egypt (matan Tora).  On the 17th of Tamuz of that year the sacrifice could not be offered anymore due to the shortage of animals caused by the siege of the city of Jerusalem by the Babylonian army. 4. Around the year 50 of the Common Era, Apostomus, a Roman captain, seized a Tora scroll and with abusive and mocking language burned the Tora in public. (According to Maimonides it was Apostomus who besides burning the Tora placed an idol in the Holy Temple as well). 5. In the year 68 CE the walls of Jerusalem were breached after many months of siege by the Roman army. Three weeks after the breach of the wall, the Bet haMiqdash was destroyed on the 9th of Ab. Because of these five tragedies we will fast tomorrow. We will also recite special prayers (tahanunim) which inspire us to mourn and repent for our transgressions and the transgressions of our ancestors.  The fast begins at dawn and ends with the appearance of the three stars.  (From Buenos Aires)

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