Activities Forbidden on Tisha B’Av
In addition to eating and drinking, on Tisha B’Av it is forbidden to wash, apply lotion or cream, wear leather shoes, and engage in intimate relations (and at night, harchakos as well—see note).
Pregnant and nursing women must fast on Tisha B’Av. If it will be difficult, a Rov should be consulted in advance.
After using the restroom, you may wash your hands until the knuckles.
We do not greet each other on Tisha B’Av. If someone greets you, return his greeting briefly and without fanfare.
Until chatzos, we do not sit on a chair or bench, perform melachos that require focus, or prepare for the post-Tisha-B’Av meal.
Torah Study
We do not study Torah on Tisha B’Av, because Torah “gladdens the heart.”
Texts related to mourning and the destruction of the Beis Hamikdash may be studied. Examples include Eichah, Iyov, certain parts of Yirmiyahu, the last chapter of Moed Katan, Midrash Eichah, and the Gemara in Gittin that describes the churban (55b–58a).
Watch a video class on Gittin: www.chabad.org/949898
See below regarding the study of Chitas, Rambam and inyanei beis habechirah.
A siyum (on Maseches Moed Katan) should be arranged on Tisha B’Av as well. Watch a live broadcast at www.chabad.org/siyum.
“The obligation to learn Torah every spare moment applies on Tisha B’Av as well. The only difference is that the study is limited to subjects appropriate for this day.” (Sefer Hasichos 5750 vol. 2, pp. 547–575)
