עברית
Halachot and Customs
When Does the Week of Tisha B'Av Begin?
Question
I wanted to ask the rabbi something regarding this year in relation to Tisha B'Av. Since Tisha B'Av is postponed to Sunday this year, the question is whether this year there is what is called "the week in which Tisha B'Av falls," since the fast itself is on Sunday, and the week leading up to the postponed fast is not considered the week in which it falls because it has been delayed, correct? Thank you.
Answer
Shalom,
This year, when Tisha B'Av falls on Shabbat and is postponed to Sunday, the Sephardim do not observe all the halachot of the week in which Tisha B'Av falls. Nonetheless, it is correct to be stringent and not to get a haircut or shave at least on the eve of Shabbat Chazon.
Sources: Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim (Siman 554, Section 4) and Hazon Ovadia on the Four Fast Days (pages 270-271). Also see the book Or LeZion Vol. 3 (Chapter 27, Section 6).
Best regards,
Hillel Meirs
