Fasting Tisha b'Av with a Migraine

(1) 1. Tisha b'Av is forbidden for washing, anointing, wearing leather shoes, and marital relations. It is also forbidden to read from the Torah, Nevi'im, and Ksuvim and to learn mishna and midrash and gemara and halacha and aggada, because it says, "The precepts of God are right, gladdening the heart" (Tehillim 19:9). Schoolchildren are idle on it. One may read Iyov and the bad things which are in Yirmiyah, but if there are between them passages of consolation, one must skip them.

(2) 2. It is permitted to learn the exegesis of Eichah and Perek Ein Megalchin (third and final perek of Moed Katan). Likewise, one may learn the interpretations of Eichah and Iyov.

(3) 3. There are those who prohibit learning by thought (and not out loud).

(4) 4. It is permitted to read the entire Order of the Day (of prayers) - the paragraphs of the Sacrifices, the Mishnah (Chapter) of Eizu Mekoman, and the teaching of Rabbi Yishmael. Note (Rema): It is permitted to review the Torah reading (of Tisha B'av) on Tisha B'av.

(5) 5. Pregnant and nursing women fast on the 9th of Av just as they fast and complete the fast on Yom Kippur. On the other 3 fasts they are exempt from fasting, nevertheless it is proper that eating and drinking should be solely for the purpose of sustaining the baby, instead of deriving enjoyment from the food and drink. Also see prior in Siman 550, Paragraph 1

(6) 6. A chayah (=a new mother) all 30 days (after delivery) and a sick person that needs to eat, it is not necessary to assess; rather, we feed to them immediately because in a place of sickness, the Rabbis did not decree. Note (Rema): However, we are accustomed to fast the whole time that there is not a great pain which would cause to worry for danger; however, a lenient approach doesn't lose.

(7) 7. Washing is forbidden on Tisha B'av whether with warm or cold (water) even to dip one's fingers into water is forbidden.

(8) 8. Mitzvah immersions in their proper time are allowed, but today we do not immerse in the proper time; therefore, one should not immerse on it (Tisha B'av) and so the is the custom.

(9) 9. If one's hand are dirty with dirt or excrement, it is allowed to wash to get off the dirt, yet he should not wash his whole hand rather according to the need to get off the dirt. Note (Rema): If one does their bodily needs (i.e. goes to the bathroom) if it is allowed to wash, the law is like Yom Kippur and further see Siman 613 Paragraph 3.

(10) 10. A person who pours (the water) on his hands in the morning (for the ritual hand-washing) needs to to be careful that he not pour on his hand except to the end of the joints of the fingers.

(11) 11. And after he dries his hands, and they are still a little moist, he can pass them on his eyes (to clean) if there is pus on his eyes and his normal matters to wash them with water and pass over. And he doesn't have to be concerned because that it is like dirt and excrement that he washes normally and there is no concern.

(12) 12. One who is going to visit his teacher, father, or one who is bigger (in Torah knowledge) than him, or for a Mitzvah need, can cross in water until his neck and he has no concern. And same on the return, it is allowed.

(13) 13. One who is going to guard his fruits, can cross in water until his neck and he has no concern. But on the return, it is forbidden.

(14) 14. One who returns from the road and his feet are darkened, it is allowed to wash them with water. Note (Rema): It is permitted to soak a cloth in water on the eve of Tisha B'av and take out from the water and let dry. And (on Tisha B'av) wipe with it one's face and feet even if one does only for pleasure it is fine since it is (Halachically) dry [Tur].

(15) 15. Anointing is not forbidden except for pleasure but one who has scabs on their head can normally anoint and he has no concern.

(16) 16. (The prohibition of) wearing shoes is specifically by leather but of garment or wood or cork explanation - word pieces or silk is allowed. Of wood covered by leather is forbidden.

(17) 17. A mourner or an excommunicant that is going on the road is allowed to wear shoes and when he reaches the city, he takes them off. And so too on Tisha B'av. Note (Rema): And same in a place that we dwell amongst Gentiles, he does not take off unless on a Jewish street, and so is the custom. [Tur and Haagos Maimoni, Haagos Mordechai beginning of the first Chapter].

(18) 18. There is one who says not to sleep on the night of Tisha B'av with his wife in (the same) bed. And the matter is fitting to do because "go go" (i.e. away from the orchard of grapes) that we say to a Nazir (who is forbidden in eating grape products).

(19) 19. If Tisha B'av falls out on Shabbos, it is permitted in all (i.e. all acts with his wife) even marital relations are allowed. Note (Rema): There are those that forbid marital relations, and so we are accustomed [Tur in the name of the Ri, Agur, and Minhagim.]

(20) 20. He should not greet "Shalom" to his friend on Tisha B'av. And fools that do not know and give "Shalom", we respond to them in a quiet tone and with solemnity.

(21) 21. There is one who says not to go and leisurely walk in the market (on Tisha B'av) in order not to come to laughter, irreverence, and mockery.

(22) 22. A place that is accustomed to do work on Tisha B'av, one can do. A place that is accustomed that they do not do work on Tisha B'av, one should not do. In all places, Talmud Chachim (Torah Sages) are idle (i.e. from work), and all who want to make themselves a Talmud Chacham regarding this matter, one can do. Even in a place that is accustomed not to do work, it is allowed via a Gentile even in his (the Jew's) house. (Regarding) doing business for profit or to get wages (i.e. as opposed to for preventing loss etc.), in a place that is accustomed not to do work, it is forbidden. In a place that is accustomed to do work, it is permitted. However, that it should be minimized, as even upon the entry of (the month of) Av, we reduce transactions. Note (Rema): It is not the custom in forbidding work except until Halachic Noon [Minhagim]. It is the custom to be strict until Halachic Noon in all work that there is some delay even a non-professional act. But something that does not have delay like lighting a candle, tying (a knot) and similar are permissible. Milking cows, it is good to do via a Gentile if possible with a Gentile.

(23) 23. Work that is a matter of loss (Davar Haavid) is permitted like the way that it is said by Chol HaMoed.

(24) 24. All that do work on Tisha B'av, one will not see a sign of blessing from that work.

(25) 25. All that eat and drink on Tisha B'av, will not see the joy of Jerusalem. And all that mourn on Jerusalem, will merit and see it in her joy. And that eat meat and drink at the Parting Meal, on him the verse says their iniquities are on their bones (Ezekiel 32:27).