What is forbidden on Tisha bAv?
The day of Tisha b’Av is unique in its restrictions, combining two sets of prohibitions. Firstly, it is a public fast with laws comparable to Yom Kippur. Secondly, it is a day of mourning with laws comparable to those of shiva. There are five prohibitions similar to Yom Kippur: – Eating and drinking. – Bathing. – Applying oils. – Wearing shoes. – Marital relations. In addition, there are four prohibitions similar to shiva: – Learning Torah. – Greeting people. – Working. – Sitting on a chair. 192. Why is Tisha b’Av a day of such severe mourning? Five major tragedies happened to the Jewish nation on Tisha b’Av: – It was decreed upon the generation of the wilderness that they would not enter Eretz Yisroel. – The first holy Temple was destroyed. – The second holy Temple was destroyed. – The great city of Beitar was captured by the Romans, and tens of thousands of Jews were slain. – The wicked Turnus Rufus plowed the site of the Temple and the surrounding area. Following the episode of the
