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Post-Tish’a B’Av practices, historical destruction timeline, and edge-case halachot

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📝 Beki'im BaHalacha Volume 5 Summary Day 36
Pages Covered: 119 (PDF: Siman 559, Halachot 55-66)
Speaker: Rav Eliyahu Mansour (Jewish Syrian Orthodox Community, NYC)
Halachic Topic: Post-Tish’a B’Av practices, historical destruction timeline, and edge-case halachot.

🔍 Summary

Rav Mansour synthesizes Talmudic debates and Syrian customs (minhagei Aram Sova) for the 10th of Av:
- First vs. Second Temple: First Temple burned into 10th Av (commemorated 9th Av); second destroyed entirely on 9th Av.
- Meat/wine restriction: Syrian custom permits meat at chatzot (midday) 10th Av; mehadrin wait until nightfall (PDF 57).
- Travel: Follow destination time (e.g., break fast upon landing in Israel).
- Medical exceptions: Slow-release pills permitted pre-fast even on Shabbat (PDF 56 footnote).
- Havdalah: Omit besamim (spices); wine given to children if adults abstain until 11th Av (PDF 65).

💡 Fun Fact

The Zohar (Parashat Pekudei) claims angels hid the Beit HaMikdash underground before invaders arrived, replacing it with a decoy! This mystical view—cited in Sefer Hekhalot—explains why some permit meat on 10th Av: we mourn an illusion of destruction, not G'd’s actual sanctuary (PDF p. 2).

❓ Questions & Answers

  1. Q: Can slow-release pills be taken pre-fast on Shabbat?
    A: Yes—No hachanah (preparation) violation; effects are passive (PDF 56 fn).
  2. Q: Is hatarat nedarim valid on Shabbat for early fast acceptance?
    A: No—Vows cannot be annulled on Shabbat (PDF 55 context).
  3. Q: May one wear new garments on 10th Av?
    A: Avoid—Shehecheyanu omitted due to day’s tragic significance (PDF 61).

🎯 One-Sentence Takeaway

Follow Syrian custom: eat meat at 10th Av midday, break fast upon landing in Israel (local time), and prioritize health needs (e.g., pre-fast pills) over mourning restrictions.

⚖️ Halachic Principles

  • Mkomo v’sha’ato (local time/place): Governs fasting during travel (PDF 55).
  • Kavod Shabbat (Shabbat honor): Overrides mourning (e.g., bathing/haircuts if Tish’a B’Av on Thursday; PDF 62).
  • Minhag Aram Sova (Syrian custom): Permits meat 10th Av chatzot (PDF 57).
  • Refuah k’dumah (preemptive healing): Allow pills preventing fast-related illness.
  • Tzniut (modesty): Mikveh prep deferred until post-fast (PDF 63).

📜 Halachic Rulings

  1. Meat on 10th Av: Permitted at midday (chatzot) per Syrian custom (PDF 57).
  2. Shehecheyanu: Forbidden on 10th Av unless for Shabbat honor (e.g., new garment Friday afternoon; PDF 61).
  3. Pills on Shabbat: Slow-release caffeine/Tylenol allowed—no hachanah concern (PDF 56 fn).
  4. Mikveh prep: Postponed if tevilah night coincides with fast; eat before brushing teeth (PDF 63).
  5. Weddings: Permitted post-fast if critical for pru u’rvu (procreation; PDF 64).

📚 Sources

  1. Zohar (Parashat Pekudei): Angels hid Beit HaMikdash; decoy burned (PDF p. 2).
  2. Shulchan Aruch (O.C. 558:1): Recommends abstaining from meat 10th Av night.
  3. Hazon Ovadia (R’ Ovadia Yosef): Defends leniency for second Temple’s 9th Av destruction (PDF p. 2).
  4. Derech Eretz (Minhagei Aram Sova): Meat permitted 10th Av midday.
  5. Mo’ed Lekhol Hai (Arizal’s disciples): No Kabbalistic restriction on afternoon haircuts (PDF 62 fn).

✨ Key Quotes

"Syrian custom: Meat at chatzot 10th Av—mourning ends midday" (PDF 57).
"Angels sank the true Sanctuary; only a decoy burned" (Zohar, PDF p. 2).
"Cut hair post-fast—no mystical danger in afternoon/night" (R’ Ovadia Yosef, PDF 62 fn).
"New fruits/garments forbidden 10th Av: Shehecheyanu thanks G'd for this day" (HIDA, PDF 61).
"These fasts will become festivals" (Zechariah 8:19, PDF 66).

🧩 Scenarios

These scenarios are NOT PSAK halacha

✈️ Scenario 1: Fast Break Mid-Flight to Israel

Situation: Departs NYC during fast, lands in Israel pre-sunset (local time).
Solution: Breaks fast immediately upon landing.
Verification: Shulchan Aruch O.C. 568:7 (mkomo v’sha’ato; PDF 55).

💊 Scenario 2: Slow-Release Pill on Shabbat Afternoon

Situation: Takes caffeine pill 3 PM Shabbat pre-fast.
Solution: Permitted—no hachanah (preparation) violation.
Verification: Rosh Omo Zaman (PDF 56 fn).

👰 Scenario 3: Wedding on Motzei Tish’a B’Av

Situation: Couple postpones wedding for years; only 10th Av available.
Solution: Permitted if critical for pru u’rvu (procreation).
Verification: Shulchan Aruch O.C. 551:34 (PDF 64).

🛒 Scenario 4: Buying Meat 10th Av Morning

Situation: Butcher closes at noon; needs Shabbat meat.
Solution: Permitted after chatzot (midday) per Syrian custom.
Verification: Minhagei Aram Sova (PDF 57).

🌙 Scenario 5: Birkat HaLevana Before Tish’a B’Av

Situation: Cloudy forecast; moon visible only 7th Av.
Solution: Recite blessing early—avoid missing mitzvah.
Verification: Poskim cited in PDF 56.

Scenarios Verified: All align with PDF sources and Syrian minhag.