We are now in the time period of the Three Weeks, known as Bein Hameitzarim. This term is based on the pasuk in Eichah (1:3): “כָּל רֹדְפֶיהָ הִשִּׂיגוּהָ בֵּין הַמְּצָרִים – All those who pursue her [the Jewish nation], caught her between the boundaries.” Rashi explains that this term is referring to the period between Shiva Asar B’Tamuz and Tisha B’Av.
In the first haftorah read during the Three Weeks, we read in Yirmiyahu (1:11) about a makal shakeid, a branch of an almond tree. Rashi writes that the punishments will come quickly, just like the almonds grow quickly. Then he adds that this is alluding to the fact that just like the almonds take three weeks to grow, similarly it took 3 weeks from when they broke through the walls of the city, until the Churban of the Beis Hamikdash.
We previously discussed that the minhag of Sefardim is to allow haircuts and laundry until the week of Tisha B’Av, from Shabbos until the fast. The Mechaber quotes three minhagim in regards to the issur of eating meat and drinking wine: only during the week of Tisha B’Av, during the Nine Days, and the entire period of the Three Weeks. The Rama, however, writes that the prevalent custom of the Ashkenazim is to refrain for the 9 days.
Shehechayanu
Besides the issur of eating meat and drinking wine, there are a number of other halachos that apply during the entire Three Weeks, even according to the Mechaber.
The Mechaber writes that we do not recite the brocha of shehechayanu during this period. Although the Mechaber rules that we do not start mourning, which is why he allows haircuts. But being that it is a time of puraniyus – punishments, it is not appropriate to thank Hashem for being able to come to this time period.
Similarly, the Mechaber writes not to walk alone at certain times of the day or hit talmidim because one should not do things which can be dangerous. The Mekor Chaim adds that many refrain from swimming in the river, to stay away from danger. Rav Moshe Feinstein explains that this is only if the swimming is done in a place in which there is some element of danger.
The Mechaber also writes that some fast every day during this period.
Summary
The minhag of Sefardim is that haircuts and laundry are only prohibited during the week of Tisha B’Av, from Shabbos until the fast. The Mechaber quotes three minhagim in regards to the issur of eating meat and drinking wine: only during the week of Tisha B’Av, during the Nine Days, and the entire period of the Three Weeks. The Rama, however, writes that the prevalent custom of the Ashkenazim is to refrain eating meat and drinking wine for the 9 days.
We do not recite the brocha of shehechayanu during the 3 weeks. Similarly, the Mechaber writes not to walk alone at certain times of the day or hit talmidim because one should not do things which can be dangerous. The Mechaber also writes that some fast every day during the Three Weeks.
Rabbi Scheiner
