3 Weeks/9 Days

Dear Rabbi Simon, Lauren would like to know if she can launder clothes after the end of the fast of Tisha B’Av or must she wait until noon on the following day. Laundry is important to her for her mental health. Many thanks Benzi Dear Benzi, Thank you for your question. This year, as the 10th of Av is on…

Dear Rabbi Simon, I have a question for you.  Are there any leniencies around shaving during the 3 Weeks/9 Days, such as on Erev Shabbos or for important business meetings? Thank you, Dave Dear Dave, Thank you for your question. There are grounds to permit shaving on Friday for the honour of Shabbos. This was our practice in Yeshiva (based…

Dear Rabbi Simon, Is it possible to travel and more specifically to Israel during the 3 weeks/9 days? Thanks Dinah Dear Dinah, Thank you for your question. Three Weeks is fine. To travel to Israel I would allow during Nine Days as well. Avoid 8 or 9 Av. And stay safe. Best wishes, Rabbi Rashi Simon

Dear Rabbi Simon, I have heard that air travel should be avoided in the Nine Days. Is it true that flying is not allowed from Rosh Hodesh (beginning of the month) until after the Fast of Av? Many thanks, Francis *** Dear Francis, For a mitzvah purpose (such as Aliyah or even visiting Israel, parents, Torah study, etc), I would…

Dear Rabbi Simon, What rules apply to sewing/alterations during the Three Weeks? Many thanks, Sue Dear Sue, Thank you for your question. Sewing, ie weaving or fashioning a new garment should be avoided during the period known as the Three Weeks (ie the 22 days from the Fast of 17 Tamuz until 9 Av, inclusive). If you refer only to…

Dear Rabbi Simon I am trying to organise some activities for the kids during their holidays. Would I be correct to assume not to book either sewing/dressmaking camp or canooing /windsufing/sailing during the 9 days? Kind regards Miriam Dear Miriam, Even children should avoid water sports during 9 Days. There are grounds to allow sewing lessons if the garment is…

Dear Rabbi Simon, Shimi has applied for a gliding scholarship to take place during the summer holidays for the period of one week. They asked during the interview if there were any weeks he could not do. I have already told him to let them know that he could not do the scholarship during the week of 9 Av (ie effectively…

Dear Rabbi Simon, I’ve recently agreed with my siblings that we will be taking my late parents’ dining room table (and moving ours on). Unfortunately, the timing seems problematic, as they would like to move the table later this week. We are uncomfortable doing this during the Nine Days of Av [up to and including the Fast of 9 Av, when commercial activity should be…

Dear Rabbi Simon, With reference to the 3 Weeks [period of national mourning in memory of the Destruction of the Temple and the Exile] approaching [starting on Thursday 6 July 2023] – are we able to go to the theatre before the 9 Days [up to and including the Fast of Av] begin? Thank you. Kate Dear Kate, Thank you…