The Gemara in Taanis tells us that one cannot study Torah on Tisha B’Av because Torah brings a person joy. The only exception is learning sad parts of the Torah, such as the pesukim in Tanach and the Gemara that discuss the Churban. The Shulchan Aruch adds that one can also learn the Midrash and the laws of aveilus. Here is a partial listing of what is permissible to learn:
- Eichah, Iyov, and Yirmiyahu, with the Midrash and commentaries
- Third perek of Moed Katan and the Shulchan Aruch (in Yoreh Deah), which discuss the laws of aveilus
- Gemara – Gittin (55b-58a) Sanhedrin (104a-104b), Yerushalmi at the end of Taanis
- Josephus – all discussing the Churban
- Hilchos Tisha B’Av
LEARNING BRINGS SIMCHA
The Rama writes that we have the custom not to learn on Erev Tisha B’Av in the afternoon, even when it falls on Shabbos. If there is no aveilus on Erev Tisha B’Av, and certainly not on Shabbos, why do we refrain from learning?
The Chasam Sofer explains that the reason we do not learn on Tisha B’av is because learning brings simchah. Therefore, even learning on Erev Tisha B’av is not allowed since this learning will affect a person’s mood on Tisha B’Av itself. When one learns before Tisha B’Av, he will continue to think about what he learned as Tisha B’Av begins, and this will bring the person to be joyous on Tisha B’Av. Thus, the prohibition to learn on Erev Tisha B’Av is not because of Erev Tisha B’Av per se but because it will cause joy on Tisha B’Av itself.
The Tur writes that there are some who have the custom to skip the pasuk "ואני זאת בריתי" in Uva L’tzion because we don’t learn on Tisha B’Av, and this is a bris on the words of Torah. He adds that others do have the custom to recite this pasuk on Tisha B’Av and do not skip it. The B’tzeil Hachachmah wonders how we can understand the opinion that says to skip these words. Since there are many topics one is allowed to learn on Tisha B’Av, why should we skip this pasuk? He answers that since we are only learning about “sad topics,” we do not want to mention a bris about this kind of learning.
LEARNING ON TISHA B’AV – ALLOWED OR REQUIRED?
As mentioned, there are many topics that one is allowed to learn on Tisha B’Av. Is there a chiyuv to learn these topics, just like there is a requirement to learn every day, and Chazal just limited what one is allowed to learn, or does the mitzvah of learning Torah not apply on Tisha B’Av, but they did allow someone to learn these topics?
One could possibly prove that there is a mitzvah from the fact that we recite Birchas Hatorah, which is only recited for learning. At first glance, if there were no mitzvah to learn, there would be no reason to recite the brocha. However, this is not a proof. Since we recite Shema, as well as many other pesukim in the davening, that can be the reason why we recite Birchas Hatorah.
The Kaf Hachaim quotes the Aruch Hashulchan, who says that just like an aveil is not required to learn, the same should be for Tisha B’Av. The Sdei Chemed, on the other hand, maintains that on Tisha B’Av, one does have the mitzvah to learn. He proves this from the fact that Tisha B’Av is of rabbinic nature, and Chazal would not uproot the mitzvah of learning, which is in the Torah. The Divrei Yatziv also rules that on Tisha B’Av, one does have the mitzvah to learn.
Thus, we see that this question of whether there is a mitzvah to learn on Tisha B’Av is a machlokes in the poskim.
SUMMARY
One cannot study Torah on Tisha B’Av, with the exception of learning sad parts of the Torah, because Torah brings a person joy.
Even learning on Erev Tisha B’av is not allowed, since this learning will affect a person’s mood on Tisha B’Av itself.
There is a machlokes if learning on Tisha B’Av is required or allowed.
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