Three Weeks

The "three weeks" refers to a period from the fast of the 17th of Tammuz until the fast of Tisha B'Av. The period is considered one of mourning over the destruction of the Temples in Jerusalem and other calamities in Jewish history. In many communities, it is marked by mourning customs, such as avoiding weddings, events with live music, and haircuts.

Notable Sources

All Sources

Days of Calamity

MISHNAH

The Seventeenth of Tammuz and the Ninth of Av are days of fasting and mourning due to significant historical calamities in Jewish history. The Mishnah, a foundational Jewish legal text from the early third century, details the five major disasters that occurred on each of these dates and their lasting impact.

The mishna discusses the five major communal fast days. Five calamitous matters occurred to our forefathers on the seventeenth of Tammuz, and five other disasters happened on the Ninth of Av. On the seventeenth of Tammuz the tablets were broken by Moses when he saw that the Jews had made the golden calf; the daily offering was nullified by the Roman authorities and was never sacrificed again; the city walls of Jerusalem were breached; the general Apostemos publicly burned a Torah scroll…

Mishnah Ta'anit 4:6

From Temple to Torah

JEWISH THOUGHT

The destruction of the Second Temple led to a transformative shift in Jewish spiritual practice. Erica Brown discusses how Rabbi Yoĥanan ben Zakkai's strategic request to establish a center of learning in Yavne marked the transition from Temple-based rituals to Torah study and rabbinic leadership.

With every loss of sacred space comes a narrowing of identity. With the loss of the Beit HaMikdash we became less of who we were and who we wanted to be. Tragedy has that impact. Along with the destruction of buildings and the death of human beings, the Three Weeks mark changes in the existential psyche of the Jewish people. The destruction of Jerusalem and its sanctuaried centerpiece gave rise to an alternate route to God – sacred study. This relatively new and intensified spiritual occupation arose because one sage, Rabbi Yoĥanan ben Zakkai…

In the Narrow Places; Daily Inspiration for the Three Weeks, Introduction; When Memory Speaks 94

The Calamities of the 17th of Tammuz

COMMENTARY

The 17th of Tammuz marks the beginning of a three-week mourning period, commemorating significant calamities in Jewish history. The Mishnah Taanit 4:6:2 lists the historical events that occurred on this day, including the breaking of the tablets and the breaching of Jerusalem's walls.

There were five events that happened to our ancestors on the seventeenth of Tammuz and five on the ninth of Av.
On the seventeenth of Tammuz: The tablets were shattered; The tamid ( offering was cancelled; The [walls] of the city were breached; And Apostomos burned the Torah, and placed an idol in the Temple. There were five events that occurred on the seventeenth of Tammuz, which is considered a “minor” fast day, because the fast begins only at sunrise and the only prohibition is eating and drinking. 1) Moshe broke the first set of tablets…

English Explanation of Mishnah Taanit 4:6:2

Music in Mourning

HALAKHAH

During periods of mourning, such as the Three Weeks, there is a debate about whether recorded music is permissible while live music is not. Rabbi Chaim Jachter, in his contemporary halakhic work, explores the distinction between live and recorded music during these times of mourning.

An interesting argument appears in Rav Yaakov Breisch’s responsum on this issue (Teshuvot Chelkat Yaakov 1:62). He suggests that even according to the Magen Avraham and Bach, this prohibition applies only to live music, but not to recorded music. This ruling has been applied in practice by some individuals to the periods of time during which it is our custom to refrain from listening to music, such as during sefirat ha’omer, The Three Weeks, and the twelve-month mourning period for a parent. However, Rav Moshe Feinstein (in his aforementioned responsum and Y.D…

Gray Matter III, Music, Jewish Perspectives on Music 23

Prophecies of Distress and Destruction

COMMENTARY

The Haftarot read during this period are specifically chosen to reflect the themes of distress and destruction, particularly through the prophecies of Yirmiyahu. Rabbi Chaim Jachter explores the significance of these prophetic readings and their connection to the destruction of the Beit HaMikdash.

Chazal (cited in Tosafot Megillah 31b s.v. Rosh Chodesh Av) ordain that in the three weeks leading up to Tishah Be’Av, we read three Haftarot of distress (Gimmel DePuranuta), beginning with Yirmiyahu 1, followed by Yirmiyahu 2, and climaxing with Yeshayahu 1. The choice of Yirmiyahu is very obvious. Yirmiyahu is the prophet of the Churban. The first Haftarah presents Hashem’s mission statement to Yirmiyahu, which states that his primary mission is to communicate the message of the upcoming destruction of the Beit HaMikdash and Yerushalayim…

From David to Destruction, Yoshiyahu and the Churban, The Haftarah for Shabbat Chazon 4

Reinterpreting the Fast Days

MIDRASH

Rabbi Simeon ben Jochai provides a unique interpretation of the fasts associated with tragic events in Jewish history, such as the seventeenth of Tamuz. Ein Yaakov explores these four fasts, including their chronological significance and the teachings of Rabbi Akiba, shedding light on their observance and meaning.

(22) We are taught in a Baraitha, R. Simeon b. Jochai said: "There are four matters that R. Akiba expounded, but which I interpret differently. The fast of the fourth, means the seventeenth of Tamuz, on which the city was broken in; as it is said (Jer. 52, 6, 7) In the fourth month, in the ninth when the famine was severe, and further it is written, The city was broken. And why is it called the fourth? Because it is the fourth month. The fast of the fifth, means the ninth of Ab, on which the Temple of our Lord was burnt. And why is it called the fifth? Because it is the fifth month…

Ein Yaakov, Rosh Hashanah 1:25

Guidelines for Mourning

HALAKHAH

During the Three Weeks, a period of mourning, it is important to limit enjoyment and avoid potentially dangerous activities. Rabbi Eliezer Melamed’s contemporary halakhic work, Peninei Halakhah, provides practical guidance on how to observe this period, including refraining from activities like hiking and swimming.

Some maintain that one must refrain from hiking and swimming or bathing in the sea or a swimming pool during the Three Weeks, in order to limit our enjoyment during this mournful period. Furthermore, since these days are prone to calamity, one must avoid potentially dangerous activities.

Peninei Halakhah, Zemanim 8:6:2

Chronology of the Fasts

TOSEFTA

The Tosefta provides a unique chronological and logical ordering of the fasts, offering a historical perspective on significant Jewish tragedies. This early rabbinic text discusses the four major fasts in the Jewish calendar, commemorating the destruction of the Temples and other calamities.

Rabbi Akiva expounded, behold, it says (Zech. 8:19), "Thus said the Lord, the fast of the fourth, and the fast of the fifth, and the fast of the seventh, and the fast of the tenth [shall be for the House of Judah for joy and for happiness]." The "fast of the fourth" -- that is the 17th of Tammuz, on which the city was breached. And why is its name called "fourth"? Because it is the fourth of the months (i.e., starting with Nissan). The "fast of the fifth" -- that is the 9th of Av, the day that the Holy Temple was burned. And why is its named called "fifth"? Because it is the fifth month…

Tosefta Sotah 6:7

Mourning the Destruction of the Temples

HALAKHAH

The period from the 17th of Tammuz to Tisha B'Av is marked by specific customs and practices of mourning that reflect the deep historical and spiritual significance of the destruction of the Temples. The Kitzur Shulchan Arukh, a condensed version of Jewish law, outlines these customs, including the recitation of Tikun Chatzos, restrictions on celebrations, and dietary limitations.

Since the Seventeenth of Tammuz, marks the beginning of the anguish of the destruction of the Beis Hamikdash, it is customary to observe a partial mourning, from that day until after Tishah beAv. It is proper for every God-fearing person to recite Tikun Chatzos (the special midnight order), daily, in the afternoon. No weddings are performed, even for a person who has not yet fulfilled the mitzvah of Piryah Verivyah ("Be fertile and have many children.") But engagement parties, even with a meal, are permitted until Rosh Chodesh Av…

Kitzur Shulchan Arukh 122:1

Mourning the Temple's Destruction

LITURGY

The collective mourning for the destruction of the Temple is a profound spiritual and communal loss for the Jewish people. The Kinnot, elegies recited on Tisha B'Av, express the deep sorrow and historical significance of the Temple's destruction.

א. Then, for our sins, the Sanctuary was destroyed, and for our violations, the Temple building was burnt. ב. On Earth, they gathered to her, compiling a eulogy. And the host of the Heavens raised a lament. "How long..."

Kinnot for Tisha B'Av (Ashkenaz), Kinot for Tisha B'Av Night 5:2

Explore Topicsנושאים כלליים

Sheetsדפי מקורות

Related Sheets