The Three Weeks in Jewish Law: Halachot, Spiritual Guidance, and a Lesson in Faith

Practical Halachot for the Three Weeks

1. Reciting Shehecheyanu

It is preferable not to recite the blessing Shehecheyanu over a new fruit during the Three Weeks. However, a young child or someone who is ill and whose appetite depends on eating the fruit may do so. On Shabbat, everyone may recite Shehecheyanu over a new fruit.

2. Haircuts and Shaving

Many have the custom not to cut their hair or shave from the Seventeenth of Tammuz until after Tisha B'Av. This is the custom followed by Ashkenazim.

The Sephardic custom, however, is different. Sephardim refrain from haircuts and shaving only during the week in which Tisha B'Av falls. Therefore, according to Sephardic custom, it is permitted to get a haircut or shave as usual during the early part of the Three Weeks.

3. Weddings

Some communities avoid holding weddings throughout the entire period from the Seventeenth of Tammuz until Tisha B'Av.

The custom of Sephardim and many Eastern Jewish communities is to permit weddings until Rosh Chodesh Av. Beginning with Rosh Chodesh Av, weddings are no longer held, in keeping with the teaching of the Sages: "When the month of Av begins, we reduce our joy."

4. Exercise Extra Caution

The Sages teach that during these days, until after Tisha B'Av, the Attribute of Divine Judgment is especially pronounced.

For this reason, one should be particularly careful to avoid unnecessary risks. Activities that might ordinarily seem relatively safe can involve greater danger during this period. A person should avoid placing themselves in situations that involve unnecessary risk.

5. Avoid Dangerous Activities

Accordingly, it is advisable to avoid hiking in dangerous areas, skydiving, rappelling, deep-water swimming, and similar activities.

One should also be careful about walking alone at night. While this is wise throughout the year, during the Three Weeks additional caution is recommended, including avoiding walking alone during the daytime.

6. Avoid Physical Punishment

In previous generations, it was common for parents or teachers to administer mild physical punishment as a form of discipline.

Today, however, experience has shown that this approach is ineffective and often produces the opposite result.

Nevertheless, halachic sources specifically emphasize that during the Three Weeks, both parents and teachers should be especially careful not to strike children at all, even lightly, because of concerns for safety during this period.

Weekly Reflection

Returning Good for Evil

King Solomon, the wisest of all men, teaches: "Whoever repays good with evil, evil will never depart from his house." (Proverbs 17:13)

At first glance, this verse raises a different question: How is it possible to do good for someone who has harmed you?

With faith, everything becomes possible.

A person who truly believes that everything comes from God and that everything He does is ultimately for our good no longer sees the person who caused the pain as the true source of it. Instead, they understand that the individual was merely an agent, while everything ultimately comes from the Creator for a higher purpose.