Laws of the Three Weeks

Laws of the Three Weeks

Sunday, the 17 of Tammuz/July 13 to Monday, 10 Menachem Av /August 4

Following are the basic laws that apply during this time. For more details, please see the Code of Jewish Law, Orach Chaim Simanim 549 – 559. According to most opinions, the laws relating to the Three Weeks begin on the night before the fast (Motzei Shabbat, July 12).

During the Three Weeks the following rules apply:

She’hechiyanu and Purchasing New Items

• One should not say the blessing of Shehechiyanu which blesses the time since this is considered a “negative time.” Some say that one may recite the Shehechiyanu blessing on Shabbat and on Rosh Chodesh Av. According to Chabad custom, one does not say Shehechiyanu on Shabbat.
• If one will not be able to have this fruit later on because it is going out of season, one may say Shehechiyanu and eat the fruit even during the Nine Days. In this case, it is better to wait until Shabbat if possible.
• If one began to make a blessing on a new fruit and remembered that it is the Three Weeks after he already mentioned G-d’s name, he should complete both blessings (the Shehechiyanu and the Borei Pri Ha’etz) and eat the fruit in order not to transgress the sin of saying a blessing in vain.
• If one is doing a Pidyon Haben during these weeks or if one has a baby girl, the Bracha of Shehechiyanu should be said.
• One may say the blessing of HaGomel or Hatov Vehameitiv (on hearing news that is good for oneself and for others or when drinking plentiful wine) during the Three Weeks.
• It is customary not to move to a new house or apartment during these weeks.
• One who needs to move into a new house (or apartment) should put some important furniture into the house before the Three Weeks begin.
• One may purchase an investment property during these days.
• It is customary not to do major renovations or paint one’s house during the Three Weeks, one who began these activities before the 17th of Tammuz may complete them. One who needs to paint or make urgent repairs may do so. (See below regarding the Nine Days.)
• It is customary not to purchase a new home during this time as it is not an auspicious time. Nevertheless, as this is not forbidden by the letter of the law, one may do so if a financial loss would result. This is certainly true if the closing will not take place until after Tisha Be’Av.
• One should not purchase new clothes (that are significant) or other important items. Some are lenient in this regard for those who do not customarily say Shehecheyanu on these items. (See below regarding the Nine Days.) One may purchase (and wear) clothing that aren’t particularly significant, such as underwear and socks.
• One who needs a new Talit or Talit Kattan may purchase and wear it during this time.
• If one finds clothes on a sale that will not be available for that price after Tisha Be’Av, one may buy them during the Three Weeks but not during the Nine Days. This is particularly true when buying for one’s children and is not paying all of the money at the time of sale (i.e., when purchasing on “layaway”).
• It is best not to purchase important pieces of furniture during this time. One who needs these items urgently or if one finds them at a significantly reduced price may purchase them.

Music

• It is customary not to listen to music during the Three Weeks, including recorded music. Regarding vocals only (acapella): Some are strict while others are lenient.
• One should also not allow his children who have reached the age of chinuch (education) to listen to music.
• One may sing while davening (praying) or studying Torah or while at a farbrengen or the like, as this adds to one’s inspiration in serving the Almighty. Otherwise, one should refrain from singing.
• A music teacher who would suffer financial loss by not teaching music at this time may teach up until the week of Tisha Be’Av. Nevertheless, the students should not practice at home during this time unless they are learning music to make their parnassah (livelihood).
• One may not watch movies or TV shows that include music. It is best not to watch these ever, as many of them contain immodest or violent themes and scenes. (Besides the fact that they are, for the most part, a waste of time.)
• One who is listening to the news on the radio (or other permissible content) need not turn off the radio if there is an occasional musical “jingle” as an interlude since he does not intend to pay attention to these.
• One may listen to music while exercising if this helps them exercise since they are not listening for pleasure.

Weddings

• It is customary not to get married at this time (all of the Three Weeks).
• The Sefardic and Yemenite custom is to refrain from marriage only during the Nine Days. Some Sefardim refrain during all of the Three Weeks.
• It is permissible to have an engagement party in the Three Weeks, but there should not be music or dancing. (See below that during the Nine Days, one may get engaged but may not have an engagement meal.) Also, one should serve snacks at an engagement party rather than a full meal. It is permissible to sing (without music) at such occasions, but it is best to minimize this as well.

Dangerous Activities

• One should refrain from engaging in dangerous activities during the Three Weeks as this is considered an inauspicious time.
• For example, one should try to refrain from:
  • Having a non-urgent operation or other optional medical procedure.
  • Hiking in places that are considered dangerous.
  • Hitting one’s children (As a general rule, this isn’t recommended.)
  • Swimming in dangerous areas.

Haircuts

• It is customary for Ashkenazim not to take haircuts during this time.
• Sefardim only refrain from taking haircuts during the week of Tisha Be’Av.
• If one’s mustache is getting in the way of his eating, he may trim it until the week of Tisha Be’Av. (See below)