The Three Weeks or Bein ha-Metzarim (, "Between the Straits", cf "dire straits") is a period of mourning commemorating the destruction of the first and second Jewish Temples. The Three Weeks start on the seventeenth day of the Jewish month of Tammuz—the fast of the Seventeenth of Tammuz—and end on the ninth day of the Jewish month of Av—the fast of Tisha B'Av, which occurs exactly three weeks later. Both of these fasts commemorate events surrounding the destruction of the Jewish Temples and the subsequent exile of the Jews from the land of Israel. According to conventional chronology, the siege of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar II occurred in 586/7 BCE, and the second siege of Jerusalem (70) by the Romans, in 70 CE. Jewish chronology, however, traditionally places the first destruction at about 421 BCE: see Missing years (Jewish calendar) for more information.

Observances

The mourning observances during the Three Weeks are divided into four levels, increasing in intensity:

  1. From 17 Tammuz until the end of the month
  2. From Rosh Chodesh Av until the week in which Tisha B'Av falls
  3. The week in which Tisha B'Av falls until the Eighth of Av
  4. Tisha B'Av itself

Standard Ashkenazic custom, or minhag, restricts the extent to which one may take a haircut, shave or listen to music with instruments. However, communities and individuals vary their levels of observance of these customs. No Jewish marriages or other major celebrations are allowed during the Three Weeks, since the joy of such an event would conflict with the expected mourning mood during this time.

Many Orthodox Jews refrain from eating meat during the Nine Days from the first of the month of Av until midday of the day after the fast of Tisha B'Av, based on the tradition that the Temple burned until that time.

Time of danger

The Three Weeks are considered historically a time of misfortune since many tragedies and calamities which befell the Jewish people are attributed to this period. These tragedies include the breaking of the Tablets of the Law by Moses, when he saw the people worshipping the golden calf; the burning of a Torah scroll by Apostomus during the Second Temple period; the destruction of both Temples on Tisha B'Av; the expulsion of the Jews from Spain shortly before Tisha B'Av 1492; and the outbreak of World War I shortly before Tisha B'Av 1914, which overturned many Jewish communities.

As a result, some Jews are particularly careful to avoid all dangerous situations during the Three Weeks. These include: going to dangerous places, undergoing a major operation that could be postponed until after Tisha B'Av, going on an airplane flight that could be postponed until after Tisha B'Av, and engaging in a court case if it can be postponed until after Tisha B'Av.

The Nine Days

According to the Mishnah, "from the beginning of Av, happiness is decreased." The last nine days of the three weeks—which are also the first nine days of the month of Av, culminating in the Tisha B'Av fast—constitute therefore a period of intensified mourning in the Ashkenazi custom. Many Jewish communities refrain from partaking of poultry, red meat, and wine; wearing freshly laundered clothes; and bathing in warm water. Sephardic Jews observe many of these restrictions only from the Sunday before Tisha B'Av, dispensing with them entirely in years when Tisha B'Av falls on a Sunday. Yemenite Jews do not maintain these customs.

See also

; Events

  • Assyrian Siege of Jerusalem
  • Solomon's Temple
  • Babylonian captivity
  • Second Temple
  • Herod's Temple
  • Destruction of Jerusalem
  • Jewish–Roman wars
  • Western Wall

; Related holidays

  • Seventeenth of Tammuz
  • The Nine Days
  • Tisha B'Av

References

  • The Three Weeks Guide (aish.com)
  • The Three Weeks Guide (Chabad.org)
  • The Three Weeks Halacha Database (Shulchanaruchharav.com)
  • Atzvus, Yeiush and the Three Weeks- Shiratmiriam.com
  • The “Three We

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