29 Jul TISHA B’AV THAT FALLS ON SUNDAY

Seudah Shlishit
(Third Meal):
This year, Tisha B’Av
falls on Sunday and
begins immediately
after Shabbat ends.
Since it is forbidden
to display any signs of
mourning on Shabbat, there are several
halachot relating to the pre-fast meal (Seudah
Mafseket) that differ from other years, as will
be explained.
Unlike other years when the Seudah Mafseket
is eaten in a manner of mourning—meaning
one may not eat two cooked dishes, nor meat,
nor drink wine, and many eat lentils with eggs
(foods associated with mourners) while sitting
on the ground—when Tisha B’Av falls on
Sunday, one may eat meat during Seudah
Mafseket (which in this case is the regular
Seudah Shlishit), drink wine, and may set the
table lavishly, even like the feast of Shlomo in
his glory. Also, one who is not accustomed to
eating meat during Seudah Shlishit may eat
meat and drink wine this time.
One may also sing Shabbat songs for
enjoyment and study or speak words of Torah.
Someone who normally eats Seudah Shlishit
with others should do so this Shabbat as well,
since refraining would constitute public
mourning, which is prohibited on Shabbat.
Likewise, one should recite the zimun and may
drink from the cup used for the zimun.

However, the meal must be concluded before
sunset.
Unlike in other years, when one may not eat
anything further after completing the Seudah
Mafseket and verbally accepting the fast, on
this Shabbat one may continue eating after
Birkat Hamazon as long as it is still before
sunset.
Although it is appropriate and advisable to eat
and drink well to help prepare for the fast, one
should not explicitly state that this is the
intention. As the Magen Avraham writes
(Siman 290), one should not say on Shabbat,
“Let us sleep in order to perform work after
Shabbat.”
The tablecloth should be removed only after
Shabbat has ended.
Preparing for the Fast:
Bein HaShemashot—the twilight period
between sunset and the appearance of three
stars—is considered a doubtfully day,
doubtfully night. Therefore, even though
eating becomes prohibited right after sunset,
one should not remove leather shoes until after
nightfall, as one is not permitted to walk
barefoot or in non-leather Tisha B’Av footwear
(like socks alone) on Shabbat, since they are
considered garments of mourning. Some
opinions hold that one should remove his
shoes, but he must do so in a manner that does
not appear as an act of mourning.
Even those who are stringent to wait until the
time of Rabbeinu Tam should not remove their

shoes before that time.
Likewise, sitting on the floor or on a low stool
is also prohibited until nightfall, as doing so
displays mourning.
The custom is to delay the Maariv prayer
slightly to give people time to change from
their Shabbat clothes to weekday clothes. After
Shabbat ends, one should say Baruch
HaMavdil Bein Kodesh LeChol, remove
leather shoes and Shabbat clothing, and then
change into weekday attire.
Preparing on Shabbat for Tisha B’Av:
Since it is prohibited to prepare on Shabbat for
a weekday, one may not bring fabric shoes to
shul on Shabbat—even if worn in a way
resembling clothing—because it is clearly for
preparation. Nor may one bring a Kinot book
unless he intends to study from it on Shabbat.
Additionally, benches should not be moved,
mats should not be laid out, and the parochet
(curtain over the ark) should not be removed
until after nightfall.
Because it is prohibited to wear laundered
clothing on Tisha B’Av, if one realizes on
Shabbat that he has no unlaundered garments,
he may wear them on Shabbat for the sake of
Tisha B’Av in a way that is not obvious—for
example, by changing clothes after his night’s
sleep or afternoon nap.
Fasting Aids (Kalei Tzom):
It is permitted to take fasting aid pills (kalei
tzom) on Shabbat, and doing so does not
violate the prohibition of taking medicine on

Shabbat or the prohibition of preparing on
Shabbat.
This is not considered a medical act, since
medicine is only forbidden for someone who is
ill, not for a healthy person. Some are stringent
and recommend dissolving the pill in a drink
or mixing it into food to avoid it being
noticeable.
As for the issue of preparation, many halachic
authorities explain that only active
preparation—such as cooking on Shabbat to
eat on weekday or washing dishes to be used
during the week—is prohibited. Eating the
food or using the washed utensils is a tangible
act, whereas taking a pill to help one fast is not
considered an act of preparation in the same
halachic sense. Others write that preparation
for the sake of avoiding loss is permitted—and
if one does not take the pill, they may end up
unable to take it later or struggle with the fast,
which is considered a loss.
Other opinions hold that since the pill already
begins to take effect on Shabbat, it is not
considered preparation for a weekday.