Shabbat Parshat Debarim Hazon
8 Av 5781
July 16-17, 2021

Friday Candle Lighting 7:58 PM
Early Minha 7:00 PM
(If you attend the early Minha, your wife should light by 7:20 PM)

Shabbat Shaharit 8:30 AM
Latest Time for Shema: 8:12 AM

Shabbat Minha: 6:00 PM
Shabbat Ends: 9:09 PM
Rabbeinu Tam: 9:30 PM

Tisha B'Av

Fast Begins, Shabbat 8:18 PM
Motzaei Shabbat Arbit 9:40 PM

Shaharit Sunday 8:00 AM (No Talit and Tefillin)

Sunday Minha 7:45 PM
Fast Ends 9:08 PM

Weekdays

Shaharit Monday thru Friday: 7:00 AM

Minha and Arbit Monday Thru Thursday: 7:30 PM

LAWS OF THE THREE WEEKS & THE NINE DAYS OF MOURNING, ACCORDING TO THE SEPHARDIC CUSTOM

This year, the fast of 17 Tammuz falls out on Sunday, June 27. From that day till the fast of 9 Av (Sunday, July 18), we enter the three week mourning period for the destruction of Jerusalem and the Holy Temple. There are various degrees of intensity of mourning as we get nearer to the fast, the 9th of Ab. The mourning also lapses into the tenth of Ab, being that the holy Sanctuary was still burning on this day.

The blessing of Shehekheyanu is not recited during the three weeks on a new fruit or a new garment. One should refrain from wearing a new suit or dress, or eating a seasonal fruit for the first time this year during the three weeks, even on Shabbat. It is advisable not to even buy new clothing during the three weeks even if you intend to wear it afterwards.

Playing music or dancing is not permitted at any occasion during this period. Likewise, attending a concert or opera, or listening to recorded music is not permitted.

Singing is permitted, without musical accompaniments.

The general Sephardic custom is to permit haircuts until the week of Tisha BeAv.

During the nine days of Av (July 10-18), it is prohibited to eat meat or drink wine and grape Juice. This prohibition includes chicken as well. Fish is permitted to be eaten. Also, beer, whiskey, and other liquors may be drunk. Wine vinegar is permitted to be used. (Note: this prohibition of eating meat or drinking wine does not apply on Shabbat or Rosh Chodesh one may honor these days with meat and wine.

Painting and wall papering one's home is prohibited during the nine days. Likewise, a new linoleum may not be placed on the floor.

One may not buy any new clothing until after the fast. The wearing of any new clothes (which were bought previously) is also prohibited. If one forgot, one may buy and wear new sneakers or other cloth or canvas shoes, even on the week of the fast, to be worn on the fast day.

Weddings are not performed all throughout the nine days. (There are some Sephardic communities that don't perform weddings throughout the whole three week mourning period, starting from the 17th of Tammuz). Engagements are permitted all nine days, provided that there is no music or that any celebration feast is served.

One should avoid surgery, or even any minor operation, during the nine days.

It is advisable to avoid a court case with a gentile during this period.

One should also avoid making long trips during these nine days.