The laws of the three weeks begin on Monday night, at sunset (5:25pm). During the Three Weeks, the following activities are forbidden:
- Haircuts – even an Opshernish. (Other practices associated with an Opshernish – such as training the child to wear Tzitzis and recite Brochos, Shma and Bentching – should not be deferred.)
- Weddings.
- Eating new fruit, unless for health purposes.
- Wearing new clothing, or buying new clothing that can be purchased later at the same price. (These restrictions do not apply to undergarments or socks.)
- Listening to live music.
- Listening to recorded music for enjoyment or festive purposes.
During the Three Weeks, the following activities should be avoided:
- Travelling for leisure. Whenever travelling is necessary, it is appropriate to at least begin one’s preparations (such as beginning to pack) beforehand.
- Non-urgent medical procedures.
- Siyum Sefer Torah.
The following activities are permitted:
- Engagement L’Chaims (without music or dancing).
- Cutting nails.
- A man may trim his moustache if it interferes with eating. Similarly, a woman may groom or wax her eyebrows etc.
During these days, it is appropriate to increase one’s Torah studies, with special focus on the Halachos of the Three Weeks, as well as learning about the Beis Hamikdash (e.g. chapters 40-48 of Yechezkel, tractates Middos and Tomid, and Hilchos Beis Habechira in the Rambam).
It is appropriate to give increased amounts of Tzedakah, especially towards the upkeep of a Mikdash Me’at (e.g. a Shule or Beis Midrash).
During each Shabbos of the Three Weeks, care is taken not to display any signs of mourning. In fact, one should be even more joyous than usual. Even so, the prohibitions of the Three Weeks apply even on Shabbos.
See separate Halacha Guide for laws and customs of the Nine Days.
