Stories on the Parsha & The Three Weeks
A Derashah During The Three Weeks That Made A Lasting Impression
Rav Moshe Katz the AvBeisDin of Nitra related how on the year that Rav Yoel was appointed the Rav of Újhel during the month of Tammuz he delivered his first derasha - opening sermon during which he told his new congregants the following with fiery enthusiasm:
My brothers do not believe the rumors that I am only strict and that I never rule leniently, in fact I do not only have stringencies and chumros regarding our holy laws of the Torah, in fact this year I am also meikel to rule leniently and I will now permit for you three things that our sages, Chazal expressly forbade.
These are the three kulos and leniencies:
From Rosh Chodesh Av through Tisha B'Av Chazal forbade three things: they forbade the consumption of meat, they forbade the wearing of new clothes and they forbade us to get haircuts. I am now permitting these under the following circumstances:
For those of my brethren who cannot afford or are unable to purchase Cholov Yisroel products I hereby permit you to eat kosher meat instead, for it is certianly preferable to eat kosher meat even during the three weeks as opposed to Cholov akum and butter or cheese made by gentiles that are completely forbidden issur gamur!
Second, regarding the wearing of new clothes that our sages forbade, I hereby permit all the women who own immodest clothes and short skirts to go shopping and purchase a new wardrobe of long skirts and modest clothes. It is better that they wear these new clothes during the three weeks as opposed to transgressing against the Torah by wearing forbidden immodest, short or tight fitting clothes!
Finally, my third kulah and leniency to permit shaving and haircuts, I hereby permit all those women who leave their hair uncovered to get proper haircuts and shave, even during the three weeks, so that they can cover their hair properly according to Das Moshe veYisroel! Needless to say his powerful words made a lasting impression. (Melitzei Aish)
