• All restrictions start at sunset on the eve of Rosh Chodesh Av. If certain situations one can be lenient until nightfall .
• Anything that’s not allowed during the three weeks is also not allowed during the nine days.
Eating meat
1. Meat/chicken shouldn’t be used as an ingredient in foods.
2. Better not to feed kids meat, but if necessary then below age six is fine.
3. Chicken can be fed to kids of all ages.
4. Kids who are going to sleep before Shabbos can eat meat/chicken Friday afternoon.
5. One who’s sick or one who can’t eat dairy can eat chicken.
6. One who’s given birth in the last thirty days can eat chicken if that’s what she normally eats.
7. Food can be cooked in meat utensils.
8. For cooking purposes, meat can be tasted and then spit out.
Wine
1. It’s better not to use wine as an ingredient in foods.
2. Grape juice is not allowed.
3. Beer and liquor is allowed.
4. Wine can be drunk for havdala.
Parties
1. Better not to have gatherings.
2. For a mitzvah it’s allowed.
3. Trips are allowed if they’re not dangerous. Some don’t because it’s not in the spirit of the times.
Siyum
1. At a siyum, wine and meat can be eaten.
2. Even if one comes late and misses the actual siyum, they can still eat.
3. A siyum should preferably not be timed specifically for the nine days. If it was timed then it’s allowed.
4. One should only participate in a siyum that they’d participate in during the rest of the year (no going to a strangers siyum).
Construction
1. Construction shouldn’t be done.
2. If it’s to make a house livable then it’s allowed.
3. If it’s to expand the house and the work is contracted, and you can’t push off the contractor then it’s allowed.
4. If it was started before the three weeks then it can be finished.
5. No moving into a new house, unless you have no place else to live.
6. Going to contract on a house is allowed.
7. No planting grass, flowers etc.
8. Mowing the lawn is allowed, if necessary.
Clothing/Washing
1. Washing clothing is not allowed.
2. Drying clothing is allowed.
3. This includes towels, tablecloths, and linen.
4. Drying wet clothing is allowed.
5. Giving clothing into non Jewish cleaners is not allowed even if it’s for after the 9 days (for shabbos after the 9 days, it’s allowed).
6. Clothing can not be brought into the cleaners.
7. Clothing that was previously cleaned can be picked up at the cleaners.
8. Soaking clothing is not allowed unless you need to soak to get out potential permanent stains.
9. Shaitels can’t be washed but they can be set.
10. Heavy house cleaning shouldn’t be done unless it’s very necessary.
Clothing/Washing/Exclusions
1. Laundry can be done for children that are of the age that they constantly soil their clothes (the age is dependent on each child. Up to age seven is definitely allowed).
2. Adult clothing is not allowed to be put into the washing machine at the same time as kids clothing.
3. Taking stains out of clothes is allowed.
4. One who’s entire wardrobe is dirty, can wash one article of clothing as necessary up until Shabbos of the nine days.
5. It’s better to wash clothing than to buy new clothing (as opposed to chol hamoed).
6. If it’s cheap clothing, buying is better.
7. One who has no clean clothing for shabbos can wash clothing but giving it to a non Jewish cleaners or a cleaning lady is preferred.
8. Shoes can be polished.
9. Hats can be brushed.
10. Linen can be washed If one is having guests and they need clean linen.
Clothing/New and freshly laundered
1. Wearing new or freshly laundered clothing is not allowed.
2. New or freshly washed underwear and socks are allowed to be worn but not washed.
3. New and freshly laundered clothing should be worn before the nine days.
4. Each article of clothing should be worn for the amount of time that it will take to remove the “freshness” from them.
5. Putting previously washed clothing on the floor to take out the “freshness” is fine.
6. Putting brand new clothing on the floor is not allowed.
7. Lying down on the clothes to take out the “freshness” is also fine.
8. This can be done on during the nine days too.
9. For Shabbos, new clothing can be worn.
10. Shabbos clothing can’t be worn during the week.
Clothing/Fixing
1. Clothing can’t be sewn.
2. Clothing can’t be sewn even if it’s not going to be finished until after the 9 days.
3. Tailoring can be given in to a non Jewish cleaners for use after the nine days.
4. Learning how to sew is allowed as long as clothing is not being sewn (learn on rags etc.).
5. Buttons can be put back on.
6. A hem that fell down is allowed to be fixed.
7. Shaitels should preferably not be fixed up etc. if necessary ask a Sheila.
Purchasing/Clothing
1. No new clothing can be purchased. Even if it won’t be worn until after the nine days.
2. Ordering online is not allowed.
3. Used clothing can be purchased if you don’t get a good feeling from buying them.
4. Better not to window shop but it’s not prohibited.
5. Clothing that’s on a very good sale can be purchased if they won’t be available later.
6. Clothing can be purchased if you’re in a place that has cheap clothing or clothing that’s not available elsewhere and you won’t be going back there.
7. Clothing for children can be purchased if necessary.
8. Shoes for Tisha B’av can be purchased.
9. Engaged couples can buy clothing for the wedding.
10. Clothing can be returned for a store credit but not to exchange.
Purchasing/Other items
1. Regular items can be bought.
2. Expensive items should not be bought (ex. Jewelry, furniture).
3. Appliances shouldn’t be bought unless they’re necessary.
4. Cars shouldn’t be bought/leased unless they’re for work.
Washing and bathing
1. Bathing is not allowed even with cold water.
2. The hands, face and feet can be washed with cold water.
3. One who’s used to bathing daily and therefore feels disgusting, can shower with cold water with just enough hot water mixed in so that it’s not uncomfortable. Soap can be used too.
4. Regular showers can be taken for shabbos. However cooler is better.
5. Kids up until age 8 can be bathed regularly.
6. The minhag is that children don’t go swimming.
7. A kiddie pool or sprinkler is allowed up until age eight.
8. Swimming for exercise is only allowed if it’s very necessary and there’s no alternative exercise.
Miscellaneous
1. Nails can be cut until the week of Tisha B’Av.
2. Hair removal for women is allowed.
3. Mikva preparation for women is done as normal with using hot water, cutting nails.
4. If Mikva falls out on Tisha Bav it gets pushed off until after Tisha Bav.
5. Preparation for mikva after Tisha Bav should preferably be done after Tisha Bav, after breaking the fast.
6. Needlepoint etc. is not preferable but if necessary is allowed.
Those that properly mourn the destruction of the Beis Hamikdash will merit to see its rebuilding.
