29 Jul KASHRUS QUESTIONS & ANSWERS WITH RABBI MOSHE ELEFANT

Beginning Rosh
Chodesh Av until
after Tisha B’Av
(the Nine Days) the
custom of Ashkenazim
is not to eat meat
or drink wine, in remembrance of the
destruction of the Beis Hamikdash. What
about a food that was cooked with meat,
or a pareve soup that was cooked in a
fleishig pot? Can they be consumed? Also,
can one eat foods that contain red wine
vinegar?
The Mishna Berura (551:63) writes that the
common custom is not to eat foods that were
cooked together with meat. For example, one
should not eat a potato from a fleishig cholent,
even though it does not contain actual meat.
Since it is absorbed from the meat, we
refrain from eating it. He adds that one
may cook a pareve food in a fleishig pot,
even if the pot had been used to cook
meat immediately beforehand.
Rama (OC 551:9) writes that using wine
vinegar is acceptable during the Nine
Days. He explains that wine vinegar
does not promote simcha (joy), and was
not included in the wine restriction.
Wine “vinegar” refers to wine that has
fermented to the point where one would
not drink it (MB 551:57).

Why don’t we eat meat during the nine
days?
The custom is to not eat meat or wine during
this time, because they bring happiness.Chazal
say “there is no rejoicing except with meat and
wine.” During the nine days, we are in a state
of mourning over the destruction of the Beit
Hamikdash, so we reduce our joy. Another
reason given is because meat and wine remind
us of the Korbanot, which consisted of meat
and wine. These offerings stopped when the
Beit Hamikdash was destroyed and therefore,
we too refrain from eating these foods during
this time.
May one go swimming or canoeing during
the Nine Days?
Since bathing and showering one’s entire body

are prohibited during the Nine Days, the
same restriction applies to swimming as well
(Aruch HaShulchan OC 551:35). Rav Moshe
Feinstein, zt”l prohibited canoeing during the
Nine Days because the unstable canoe might
overturn and one would fall into the water.
The Mishnah Berurah (O.C. 554:41)
rules that saying “Tzafra Tova” “Good
Morning” is prohibited on Tisha B’Av,
just as greeting one’s friend is by saying
“Shalom Aleichem” (Mechaber 554:20).
I am attending a Bris on Tisha B’Av. May
I say “Mazal Tov” to the baby’s father? If
I meet a sick person on Tisha B’Av, may
I wish him a “Refuah Shleimah” (a full
recovery)? Are these also prohibited
forms of greeting?
Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach, zt”l rules that
Mazal Tov for a recent Simcha may be said
on Tisha B’Av since it is considered a blessing
and not a greeting (Dirshu M.B. Beiurim and
Musofim 554:63 citing Halichos Shlomo Bein
HaMitzorim Vol. 15 Orchos Halacha 30).
However, if at all possible, one should wait for
a different day to express this Mazal Tov (Chut
Sheini Vol. 2 p. 327).
Our minhag is to perform a Bris on Tisha
B’Av after the Kinos are completed, even if it is
before Chatzos (mid-day), because of Zerizim

makdimim l’Mitzvos, those who serve
Hashem with alacrity, do mitzvos as quickly as
possible (Mechaber, Rama 559:7 and Mishna
Berurah ibid s.k. 26). Rav Shlomo Zalman
was of the opinion that one can certainly say
“Mazal Tov” at the Bris even before Chatzos
(ibid). Rav Moshe Feinstein, zt”l however
rules that the Mazal Tov for the Bris should
only be said after Chatzos (Dirshu M.B. ibid
citing Shmaitza D’Moshe p. 431) so as not to
lose focus that one is in a state of mourning.
Although “Sholom Aleichim” should not be
said to an Avel (one who is in mourning), the
Gesher HaChaim (21:67:7) permits wishing
“Refuah Shleima” to an Avel who is ill, since
this is considered a blessing and not a greeting.
For the same reason it is permitted on Tisha
B’Av to wish a “Refuah Shleima” to a person
who is ill (Dirshu M.B. ibid).