פרשת דברים | הלכות בין המצרים ב' ודברי מוסר לימי בין המצרים - הגאון רבי זמיר כהן ראש ישיבת אבני נזר

The lesson deals with the laws of the nine days beginning in the month of Av, the mourning customs practiced during this period, the laws of negotiations, construction, buying clothing and property, eating meat and drinking wine, as well as words of encouragement for those living among the Egyptians about the expectation of redemption, trust in God, and the sorrow of the Divine Presence in exile. At the beginning of the lesson, the sages' statement "When Av enters, one should reduce joy" is explained. It is explained that the intention is not to reduce joy and gratitude for God's grace, but to reduce physical actions that bring a person joy. Therefore, it is explained that negotiations are reduced in building for joy and planting for decoration and in any act that aims to expand the mind and pleasure, while matters of necessity, prevention of loss or danger are permitted even on these days. The lesson then deals with the laws of construction, purchasing property and renovating the house from the beginning of the month of Av. It is explained that a distinction must be made between a real need and an addition of comfort or luxury. Therefore, expanding a house for the purpose of living, repairing a dangerous wall or purchasing a vehicle for livelihood purposes are permitted, while decorative upgrades, purchasing a luxurious vehicle, furniture or objects that aim to increase joy should be postponed until after Tisha B'Av, unless there is a fear of significant financial loss. The special mourning laws for the week in which Tisha B'Av falls are explained. The lesson explains the prohibition on wearing clothes Washed, the preparation made earlier by wearing the clothes for a short time, and the permission for sweaty clothes. The laws of washing, washing in hot water, haircuts, and shaving are also presented, while clarifying the differences between Sephardic and Ashkenazi customs, as well as the permissions in cases of special need. The origin of the custom of not sewing new clothes on Rosh Chodesh Av is explained. According to the Jerusalem Talmud, it is explained that the custom stems from a reminder of the drinking stone from which the Ark of the Covenant was missing after the destruction of the Temple, and from this it is ruled that new clothes should not be sewn or made during these days, but it is permissible to repair old clothes, such as sewing on a button or mending a tear, since this does not create a new garment but rather repairs an existing one. The lesson then deals with the customs of eating meat and drinking wine during the nine days. It is explained that in principle the prohibition applies only to the meal that breaks the fast, but the Israelites took upon themselves the custom of abstaining from meat and wine as early as Rosh Chodesh or the 2nd of Av, according to the customs of the denominations. More The permissions on Shabbat and at mitzvah meals, such as circumcision, the redemption of a son, and the conclusion of a tractate, are explained, along with the emphasis that tractate endings should not be used artificially to circumvent mourning customs. In the second part of the lesson, words of encouragement are presented on the significance of the time between Egypt and the expectation of redemption. It is explained that one of the questions asked of a person after his death is "did you expect salvation," and it is emphasized that this does not refer only to the knowledge that redemption will come, but to constant expectation and a true longing for the building of the Temple. The lesson brings the words of the miraculous counselor that should be directed in the prayer "for in your salvation we have hoped all day long" both for the salvation of all Israel and for the salvation of the Shekhinah in exile, out of absolute confidence in God. The lesson concludes with a call to strengthen faith, confidence, expectation of redemption, and observance of mourning customs with the understanding that they express the longing for the building of the Temple soon in our day.