Tisha B'Av begins on Shabbos evening at 8:01 pm (the third meal of Shabbos must be completed by then) and ends on Sunday at 8:45 pm.
Just for some background, when someone yearns for something, by definition, he is connected to that something. When we yearn, when we mourn for our past, for the beauty that once was, there is still a connection to that glory, to that holiness, to that greatness that once existed. But the moment that yearning is severed chas v'shalom, the moment we stop yearning for the Beis Hamikdash, we are torn away from that past and it doesn't exist for us.
Napolean was once walking the streets of France when he heard crying from a small little house. He sent one of his soldiers to investigate what was going on. He came back and told Napolean, "2,0000 years ago, they had a Temple that was burned down. They're crying over their losses." Napolean who was a very smart man became very excited and said, "I swear that there's hope for these people."
If Napolean would pass by our houses this Tisha B'Av, would he be concerned or interested to find out what our cries are about? Would we be crying?
When you go to a wedding, it's sometimes hard to tell who the close relatives are because everyone looks the same and everyone's dancing and for the most part, is happy. But when r"l, one goes to a funeral, it's very clear who is very close to the deceased and who is far.
During the year, when we celebrate our different holidays, it is not always clear who is a true servant of Hashem, whose heart is in it; most of us are happy. But when it comes to Tisha B'Av, when Hashem's pain and our losses are being mourned, it is very clear to see who is close to Hashem... Do we feel the pain? Do we express it by observing Tisha B'av properly? This is the true litmus test.
Nothing secular at all should be done during this day... nothing at all! We don't want to miss the boat... Remember, Hashem wants our heart, our feelings, and our teshuva.
The following post (beneath this one) is a general summary of the laws of Tisha B'Av for any person who is truly searching to know the correct conduct and who wishes to be guided through this important time of the Jewish year. Just click on the article to read the larger version. If there are any questions that you have that are not included here, feel free to call, email or post me a comment on our blog and I will try my best to find the correct answer for you.
I will be posting articles, links and video presentations on our blog and through our group email throughout Tisha B'av, so look out for them.
Have a wonderful Shabbos and an easy and meaningful fast.
Morah Greenes
p.s. Try to eat fiber and protien and drink lots of water before the fast. Try not to have any caffiene or salt. Watermelon and grapes are also supposed to be good to eat before a fast.
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