Laws and Customs of the Three Weeks

Daily Halacha

The days between the seventeenth of Tammuz and the ninth of Av are called "Bein HaMetzarim" (Between the Straits), based on the verse (Lamentations 1:3): "All her pursuers overtook her between the straits." Our Sages taught that these days between the seventeenth of Tammuz and the ninth of Av were when enemies entered Jerusalem, our holy and glorious city, and wreaked havoc upon Israel, until the ninth of Av when they destroyed the Holy Temple due to our many sins. Since then until today, the Jewish people have not dwelled in security, and enemies constantly rise against them both internally and externally. Even though we have merited to return to our Holy Land freely, we have not yet merited complete redemption, for our Temple lies in ruins, and the nations of the world harass the Jewish people daily, with troubles increasing more and more. Above all, from a spiritual perspective, we are very far from the true redemption, until Hashem returns and has mercy on His inheritance, and returns to redeem us completely, an eternal redemption.

During these days, several mourning customs are observed. Pious individuals and those of exemplary practice recite "Tikkun Chatzot" after midday during the Three Weeks. They recite "Tikkun Rachel," which contains verses of weeping and sorrow over the destruction of the Temple. This is a well-established custom, as mentioned by the Chida in his book "Moreh B'Etzbah," who wrote that this was the practice in the Land of Israel according to the teachings of the Arizal. He also mentioned this in his responsa "Yosef Ometz." He wrote that the custom is to recite "Tikkun Rachel" because it is founded on weeping and lamentation over the destruction of the Temple. He further quoted the Arizal who wrote: "It is a good and proper custom for every spiritual person to sit in mourning after midday during all the days of the Three Weeks, and to truly weep over the destruction of the Temple."

Blessing on New Fruit During the Three Weeks

It is advisable to refrain from reciting the "Shehecheyanu" blessing during the Three Weeks, from the night of the seventeenth of Tammuz until after the ninth of Av, on new fruits or new garments. One should set aside the fruit or garment until after the ninth of Av, and not eat it without reciting the Shehecheyanu blessing.

On Shabbatot during the Three Weeks, it is permissible to recite Shehecheyanu on new fruits or new garments. However, after the beginning of the month of Av, it is proper to be stringent and not recite Shehecheyanu on new garments even on Shabbat. Nevertheless, for new fruits, one may be lenient and recite the blessing even on the Shabbat after the beginning of the month of Av. The reason for distinguishing between garments and fruits is because according to the Rema, it is forbidden to wear new garments after the beginning of the month of Av, regardless of the Shehecheyanu blessing, but there is no prohibition against eating new fruits in themselves, only against reciting the Shehecheyanu blessing during these days. Therefore, new fruits may be eaten on Shabbat even after the beginning of the month of Av, but for garments, it is proper to be stringent, as ruled by Rabbi Ovadia Yosef in his responsa Yechaveh Da'at (Vol. 1, No. 37).

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