The three weeks
The three weeks ( Hebrew שלושת השבועות) are the period between the 17th of Tammuz and the 9th of Av in the Jewish calendar . They are days of mourning over the destruction of the Jerusalem temple . In Hebrew, these days are also referred to as "days in the midst of distress" (יִמיִ בין המצריִם bein ha-metzarim ), according to lamentations 1.3 EU : “All of their persecutors caught up with them in the midst of distress”.
During this period, writes Halacha ago
- not to cut the hair,
- not to host weddings,
- not wearing or buying new clothes,
- from 1st to 9th Av not to enjoy meat or wine, with the exception of Shabbat and a religious celebration (Se'udat Mitzvah),
- not moving into a new apartment.
According to Jewish tradition, in the days of the Messiah the days of mourning of the three weeks will turn into days of exuberant joy.