SUMMERTIME HALACHOS - THE 3 WEEKS

By: Rabbi Chaim Yeshaya Freeman

1.) Joyous activities - weddings (Rema O.C 551:2), singing, dancing, music, etc.

2.) Haircuts or shaving (Rema O.C 551:4)

3.) Reciting the bracha of “She’hechiyanu” (S.A O.C 551:17)

4.) Dangerous activities (S.A O.C 551:18)

According to the letter of the law it is permissible to have a wedding during the Three Weeks. However, being that it is a time of bad mazel, the minhag is to refrain from having a wedding during this period (Mishna Berura 551:14).
Engagement parties are acceptable even with a full meal (Mishna Berura 551:19). Singing is allowed, but no music or dancing (Mishna Berura 551:16).
Bris, Bar Mitzvah - Dancing and singing are allowed at a bris as well as at all other seudos mitzvah, but no music (Kovetz Halachos 4:22).
Sheva Berachos – Dancing and singing are allowed, but with no music (Moedei Yeshurun pg. 129 citing Rav Moshe. However, the Chazon Ovadia bein hamitzarim pg. 151 permits even music).

Even recorded music is not permitted (Igros Moshe O.C 1:161)
Music not for the sake of enjoyment is permitted (Moadei Yeshurun pg. 128 citing Rav Moshe) such as: elevator and office music, exercise music for rhythm, crib mobile or car music to calm children, teacher dancing with young school children, a musical ring tone on a phone.
If one’s livelihood is to play music for non-Jews or to give music lessons, he may do so until the week of Tisha B’Av (Shiurei Halacha Rav Felder pg. 11).
Music lessons for children - permissible until Rosh Chodesh Av (Kovetz Halachos 4:11).

Cutting nails is permitted until the week of Tisha B’av. A woman can cut her nails for the mikva even during the week of Tisha B’av (Mishna Berura 551:20).
The accepted minhag is for women not to cut their hair during the Three Weeks (Pri Megadim 551:13). However, there are some exceptions: For tznius reasons, to remove chatziza, hair on other parts of her body (Mishna Berura 551:79), fixing and cutting a shaitel until Rosh Chodesh Av (Shuirei Halacha pg. 14).
The custom is to not give haircuts to children of any age (S.A O.C 551:14).
A Baal Habris may shave during the Three Weeks (Shiurei Halacha pg. 13).
A chasson and kallah may get a haircut and shave during the week of Sheva Berachos (Shiurei Halacha pg. 14).
The father of the child at a Pidyon Haben and a Bar Mitzvah boy may not take a haircut in honor of the simcha (Shiurei Halacha pg. 14).
Until the week of Tisha B’Av one is allowed to shave for work not to incur a loss. If no loss will incur, he may not shave even if it is uncomfortable (Igros Moshe C.M 93).

The beracha of “Hatov V’Hameitiv” may be said (Kovetz Halachos 5:2).
She’hechiyanu for a mitzvah is permissible (ex: Pidyon Ha-ben) (S.A O.C 551:17).
One may say She’hechiyanu on Shabbos (Mishna Berura 551:98).
If one has purchased or owns a new fruit and it will be spoiled by Shabbos, he may eat it with the She’hechiyanu bracha (Rema O.C 551:17).