Prayers on Tisha Be’Av

The Night of the Fast of Tisha Be’Av, Motzei Shabbat, August 2

• It is customary to remove the parochet (curtain) from the aron kodesh (holy ark) or at least to leave it drawn to the side.
• Some have the custom of also removing the cloth that covers the Bimah (table used for the Torah reading) and the chazzan’s shtender (lectern).
• The lights should be dimmed for Maariv and the reading of Eicha.
• One should sit on the floor (or a low bench) for the Maariv prayer and the reading of Eicha.
• As mentioned above, the congregation should make the bracha of Borei Me’orei Ha’Esh on a (multi-wick) candle before the reading of Eicha.
• The reader should pause slightly between each verse and slightly longer between each chapter. He should read the final verse in every chapter in a louder voice than the rest of the chapter. The last verse should be said aloud by the congregation and then repeated by the reader.
• After the reading of Eicha, several kinot (lamentations) are recited.
• We do not recite Viyhi No’am on Motzei Shabbat as this prayer commemorates the dedication of the Sanctuary. This is not appropriate on the day of its destruction. We do, however, say Ve’Atah Kadosh.
• We don’t recite the verses of Veyiten Lecha that are usually recited on Motzei Shabbat.
• As mentioned above, one should not wish another person a Gut Voch or Shavuah Tov on this night.
• It is customary in many communities to learn the story of the destruction after the nighttime prayers.

Shacharit/Morning Prayers

• In the morning, we do not say the blessing of She’asah li Kol Tzarki since this blessing is to thank G-d for shoes and we may not wear (regular) shoes on Tisha Be’Av. The bracha is also not recited at night at the end of Tisha Be’Av according to the Chabad custom (based on the Arizal).
• According to the Mishnah Berurah one may say this bracha on Tisha Be’Av.
• We do not wear a Talit Gadol or Teffilin for Shacharit, only for Mincha.
• One should not say a blessing on their Talit Katan in the morning.
• The Chazan should be someone who is fasting so that he can say Aneinu in the repetition of the Amidah.
• One should not hold the tzitzit of his tallit katan for Baruch She’amar or for the reading of the Shema.
• It is customary not to recite the Song of the Day or Ein K'elokainu until the afternoon.
• We do not recite Tachanun (confessionary prayers). After the amidah, the Chazzan recites Half Kaddish.
• Only those fasting may receive an aliyah.
• After Shachrit it is customary to read kinot until Chatzot (midday). The final chapter 'Eili Tzion' should be recited verse by verse responsively.
• One may not walk outside or converse during the recital of the kinot so as not to remove one’s mind from mourning.
• It is proper for each individual to recite Eicha privately after completing kinot.
• After Kinot we recite Ashrei, Uva L'tzion (omitting the verse V'ani Zos Briti), Kaddish (without the verse of Titkabel), Aleinu, Mourner’s Kaddish.
• A mourner during the shiva may come to shul during the morning of Tisha Be’Av.
• If there is a brit on Tisha Be’Av, it should take place after the completion of Kinot. The parents, Mohel, and Sandak may wear Shabbat clothes during the Brit. They may not, however, wear leather shoes or break their fast.
• It is mentioned in the Shulchan Aruch that it is customary to visit the cemetery after morning prayers of Tisha Be’Av. The Chabad Rebbes didn’t follow this custom. The reason for this may be that on Tisha Be’Av one may not go to the Mikvah, and it is customary in Chabad for men to immerse themselves in the Mikvah before going to a cemetery.

Afternoon Prayers

• At Mincha time (which is after midday), one may say the Tehillim of the day as well as the Chumash and Tanya (see above).
• It is important to give additional Tzedakah on this day.

The order of Mincha is:

1. The Parochet (curtain) should be replaced on the Aron Kodesh (holy ark) and the cover returned to the Bimah.
2. One should don Tallit and Tefillin with a Bracha.