The Three Weeks

A series of restrictions is associated with the period of time between the 17 of Tammuz and Tisha B'Av.

By Rabbi Robert Goodman

Reproduced with permission from Teaching Jewish Holidays: History Values and Activities (A.R.E. Publishing, Inc.). 

 

The three weeks prior to and ending with Tisha B'Av are known as Bayn HaMaytzarim,  which means "in the Straits." The haftarah portions[prophetic readings] for these three weeks are Jeremiah 1:2-28, 2:4-28, 3:4, and Isaiah 1:1-27. They call for the people to perform acts of repentance and to be firm in their faith. God will not abandon them even though all seems lost.

 

While these are three weeks of mourning, the nine days prior to Tisha B'Av are more intense in observance of the rules of mourning than the first 12 days. No weddings or other joyous festivities are held during the entire 21-day period. During the last nine days of the period, no meat is eaten, there are to be no haircuts, no clothes are washed unless they are to be worn again during these nine days, and no ironed clothes are worn.

 

The practice among Reconstructionist, Reform, and Conservative Jews ranges from full observance of the 21 days to observance of the nine-day period to observance of only Tisha B'Av itself.

 

Reproduced with permission from Teaching Jewish Holidays: History Values and Activities, by Robert Goodman. © A.R.E. Publishing, Inc. 1997,  ISBN #0-86705-042-X. Available from A.R.E. Publishing, Inc., 700 N. Colorado Blvd. #356, Denver, CO 80206 (800) 346-7779.  http://www.arepublish.com/