Washing on Tisha BeAv

Parsha Halacha | June 25, 2025

One may not wash any parts of the body.
An area which becomes dirty may be washed.
One should wash Negel Vasser (the morning hand-washing) both upon awakening and when saying the bracha, but only until the knuckles.
Children (or others who are exempt from fasting) who are washing for bread may wash as usual. The same applies to Mayim Acharonim.
In general, if one needs to break one’s fast, it is best not to wash and have bread as there is an argument as to whether one should say Nachem in Birkat HaMazon (Grace after Meals).
Kohanim who are washing to say the blessing of the Kohanim (in Israel or in the Sefardic tradition of doing a daily Priestly blessing even in the Diaspora) as well as the Leviyim who are washing the hands of the Kohanim may wash as usual until their wrists.
After washing Negel Vasser in the morning, one may dry one’s hands and use his somewhat moist fingers to wipe his eyes.
If one’s eyes are encrusted, he may wash them as necessary.
One who uses the bathroom should wash his fingers until the knuckles. One who normally washes six times alternately after using the bathroom may do so on Tisha Be’Av as well but should wash only until the knuckles.
One who touched a part of his body that is normally covered may wash that hand up to the knuckles. One should refrain from touching these areas in order to minimize washing on Tisha Be’Av.
One should wash his hands up until his knuckles before praying.
A kallah within 30 days after her wedding may wash her face.
A woman may wash herself as necessary in order to do a hefsek tahara.
One who is preparing food (for children or for after the fast) may wash that food even though their fingers will get washed as well.
In addition, one may wash one’s hands to clean them before preparing food as needed.
One who needs to wash dishes for use on Tisha Be’Av may do so, preferably while wearing gloves.
Neither a man nor a woman may go to the mikvah on Tisha Be’Av.

One may not wash any parts of the body.
An area which becomes dirty may be washed.
One should wash Negel Vasser (the morning hand-washing) both upon awakening and when saying the bracha, but only until the knuckles.
Children (or others who are exempt from fasting) who are washing for bread may wash as usual. The same applies to Mayim Acharonim.
In general, if one needs to break one’s fast, it is best not to wash and have bread as there is an argument as to whether one should say Nachem in Birkat HaMazon (Grace after Meals).
Kohanim who are washing to say the blessing of the Kohanim (in Israel or in the Sefardic tradition of doing a daily Priestly blessing even in the Diaspora) as well as the Leviyim who are washing the hands of the Kohanim may wash as usual until their wrists.
After washing Negel Vasser in the morning, one may dry one’s hands and use his somewhat moist fingers to wipe his eyes.
If one’s eyes are encrusted, he may wash them as necessary.
One who uses the bathroom should wash his fingers until the knuckles. One who normally washes six times alternately after using the bathroom may do so on Tisha Be’Av as well but should wash only until the knuckles.
One who touched a part of his body that is normally covered may wash that hand up to the knuckles. One should refrain from touching these areas in order to minimize washing on Tisha Be’Av.
One should wash his hands up until his knuckles before praying.
A kallah within 30 days after her wedding may wash her face.
A woman may wash herself as necessary in order to do a hefsek tahara.
One who is preparing food (for children or for after the fast) may wash that food even though their fingers will get washed as well.
In addition, one may wash one’s hands to clean them before preparing food as needed.
One who needs to wash dishes for use on Tisha Be’Av may do so, preferably while wearing gloves.
Neither a man nor a woman may go to the mikvah on Tisha Be’Av.

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Parsha Halacha | August 08, 2024