The three week period between the seventeenth of Tammuz and Tisha B’Av has been relegated by rabbinical sages as time to mourn the destruction of the Temple, Jerusalem and the Kingdom of Judah. Jewish law codified in the Shulchan Aruch mandates certain restrictions during this period aimed at reduction of joy. For three weeks there are no weddings conducted, no music can be listened to or played, no new clothing is worn, no new fruit is eaten, as well as no haircuts or shaving.

The restrictions become a lot more stringent from the first of the month of Av until the fast day of Tisha B’Av. For those nine days aside from continuing the restrictions of the three weeks, there is an added prohibition to eat meat and drink wine as those are signs of rejoicing. Those who follow Sephardic traditions shave and cut their hair during the three week period and start the strict mourning restrictions on the week that Tisha B’av falls, rather than on the first of the month of Av.

כל המתאבל על חורבנה של ירושלים זוכה ורואה בבנינה

Mazor Guide to Shiva-ah Asar b'Tamuz (17th Day of Tamuz) brings you much more about the holiday, its meaning and its traditions... See the links below.

• Shiva-ah Asar b'Tamuz - 17th Day of Tamuz General Information
• Fast Days Commemorating Destruction of Temple
• 17th Day of Tamuz - a Day of Calamities
• 17th Day of Tamuz - a Day of Joy?
• The Three Weeks of Mourning Commence