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 Friday, one is allowed to do laundry immediately after the fast ends on Thursday night. This is in honour of Shabbat.
In general, if the build-up of unwashed clothing is a genuine threat to one’s mental health, I would allow him or her to press the washing machine into service as soon as the fast ends, even on other days of the week. The practice of waiting until after midday on 10 Av for laundry and other activities need not be maintained in the face of health (including mental health) considerations. In the absence of health issues, however, the default position is to wait until after chatzos. (See Guidelines for Tisha B’Av above.)
With best wishes for the Consolation of Yerushalayim
Rabbi Rashi Simon