Forbidden Activities on Tisha BeAv

Parsha Halacha | June 25, 2025

Torah Study

As mentioned above, one may not study Torah on Tisha Be’Av except for certain topics (see above). Even when studying those topics, one may not delve deeply into them and develop new insights.

One who will read from the Torah on Tisha Be’Av may review the Torah portion before the reading.
One should not think Torah thoughts.
One may only render a Halachic ruling if it is necessary for that time.
One should also not read secular articles or the news or do anything which will distract him from the mourning of the day.
Some permit one to learn from works that inspire a person to Teshuvah, such as Mussar. In addition, Chassidic discourses that explain Megillat Eicha (the Book of Lamentations) may be studied.
A mourner (or one who has Yohrtzeit) who normally recites Mishnayot after the prayers and then says a Kadish Derabanan should say the Mishnayot of Ta’anit or Mo’ed Kattan which one may study on Tisha Be’Av. At Mincha on Tuesday, one may say the regular Mishnayot.
Some say that after Mincha one may do the regular Torah study that is done by a community on a daily basis such as Chok LeYisrael or Chitat (Chumash, Tehillim, and Tanya). This is the Chabad custom (i.e., to study Chitat), but it doesn’t include one’s additional personal daily study regimen.

Sitting

From when the fast begins on Monday night until midday on Tuesday, one may not sit on a regular chair. This applies to both men and women as well as to children who have reached the age of education in this matter. One may sit on the floor, a pillow, or a low stool.
One may stand if he wishes. Only if one wishes to sit, should he sit in the prescribed manner.
A pregnant woman or elderly person for whom it is difficult to sit on a low stool may sit on a regular chair.
One may sit as usual when traveling by car.
When traveling by bus or train, one should stand if possible.
One may not sit on a bed.
One who does hagbah (lifting the Sefer Torah) may sit while holding the Torah afterwards. Similarly, a sandek (one who holds the baby during a brit) may sit during the brit.
A nursing mother may sit as usual while nursing.
When sitting on the floor or a low stool, one should make sure not to place one’s siddur or other holy book on the floor.

Sleeping as Usual

When going to sleep at night, one should be somewhat uncomfortable. For example, if one usually sleeps with two pillows, he should use one instead. If he usually uses one, he should use none.
Some have a custom to sleep on the floor with a stone as a pillow (placed under the mattress).
I heard that the Lubavitcher Rebbe would sleep with his mattress on the floor on Tisha Be’Av.

Torah Study

As mentioned above, one may not study Torah on Tisha Be’Av except for certain topics (see above). Even when studying those topics, one may not delve deeply into them and develop new insights.

One who will read from the Torah on Tisha Be’Av may review the Torah portion before the reading.
One should not think Torah thoughts.
One may only render a Halachic ruling if it is necessary for that time.
One should also not read secular articles or the news or do anything which will distract him from the mourning of the day.
Some permit one to learn from works that inspire a person to Teshuvah, such as Mussar. In addition, Chassidic discourses that explain Megillat Eicha (the Book of Lamentations) may be studied.
A mourner (or one who has Yohrtzeit) who normally recites Mishnayot after the prayers and then says a Kadish Derabanan should say the Mishnayot of Ta’anit or Mo’ed Kattan which one may study on Tisha Be’Av. At Mincha on Tuesday, one may say the regular Mishnayot.
Some say that after Mincha one may do the regular Torah study that is done by a community on a daily basis such as Chok LeYisrael or Chitat (Chumash, Tehillim, and Tanya). This is the Chabad custom (i.e., to study Chitat), but it doesn’t include one’s additional personal daily study regimen.

Sitting

From when the fast begins on Monday night until midday on Tuesday, one may not sit on a regular chair. This applies to both men and women as well as to children who have reached the age of education in this matter. One may sit on the floor, a pillow, or a low stool.
One may stand if he wishes. Only if one wishes to sit, should he sit in the prescribed manner.
A pregnant woman or elderly person for whom it is difficult to sit on a low stool may sit on a regular chair.
One may sit as usual when traveling by car.
When traveling by bus or train, one should stand if possible.
One may not sit on a bed.
One who does hagbah (lifting the Sefer Torah) may sit while holding the Torah afterwards. Similarly, a sandek (one who holds the baby during a brit) may sit during the brit.
A nursing mother may sit as usual while nursing.
When sitting on the floor or a low stool, one should make sure not to place one’s siddur or other holy book on the floor.

Sleeping as Usual

When going to sleep at night, one should be somewhat uncomfortable. For example, if one usually sleeps with two pillows, he should use one instead. If he usually uses one, he should use none.
Some have a custom to sleep on the floor with a stone as a pillow (placed under the mattress).
I heard that the Lubavitcher Rebbe would sleep with his mattress on the floor on Tisha Be’Av.

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Parsha Halacha | August 08, 2024