Havdala when Tisha b’Av is Delayed

For the first time in 14 years, Tisha b’Av falls out on a Shabbos this week, and the fast is delayed until Sunday. Since a proper Havdala on a cup of wine cannot be recited on Motzei Shabbos due to the fast, the relevant Halachos are somewhat complicated. While the same issues arise when Tisha B’Av falls directly on Sunday, it is uncommon enough of an occurrence that many people are uncertain regarding exactly what to do.

 

The ideal procedure is to delay the cup of wine and Berachos of Borei Pri HaGafen and Hamavdil until Sunday night. While anyone not reciting Atah Chonantanu in Ma’ariv must say Baruch HaMavdil immediately on Motzei Shabbos before doing any action forbidden on Shabbos, a proper Havdala can be delayed until later in the week. However, at that time the introductory Pesukim are not recited and one commences directly from Borei Pri HaGafen.

Since Borei Me’orei HaEish can only be recited on Motzei Shabbos, it is said independently. Generally, this is done in Shul immediately following Ma’ariv and prior to Eicha. Women, or anyone else not attending Shul should certainly make an effort to hear Borei Me’orei HaEish; however, there are differing opinions whether a woman may say this Bracha herself. Consequently, some Poskim suggest that a married man should not intend to fulfill his obligation with the Bracha in Shul, rather he should wait until returning home and say it for his wife as well. If for any reason the Beracha on the candle was not recited Motzei Shabbos, it may not be said later.

Borei Mini Besamim is not recited at all. On Motzei Shabbos it is not appropriate to indulge in luxurious fragrances due to the solemnity of Tisha b’Av, and Sunday night is already too late, as Besamim is also only utilized when Havdala is recited on Motzei Shabbos.

 

Family members who find it difficult to wait for the head of the household to return home from Shul following the conclusion of Tisha b’Av should make their own Havdala, or in the case of women, try to hear it at a neighbor’s home. If this is not feasible, there are grounds to permit drinking before hearing Havdala, though they should refrain from eating if possible.

Someone very ill who must eat on Tisha b’Av at night, should recite Havdala on Motzei Shabbos, including the Bracha on the cup and the candle. However, Besamim is omitted as well as the introductory Pesukim. He can even exempt the other members of his family, and they will not be required to hear Havdala a second time Sunday night.

If he does not need to eat before Sunday morning, he should wait to say Havdala until then, and must remember to make a Bracha on the fire separately, just like everyone else. Preferably he should use beer or brewed coffee and not wine or grape juice since it is Tisha b’Av, but if there is no alternative he must only drink the minimal quantity necessary.

If a woman needs to eat on Tisha b’Av, her husband should recite the Havdala as above, and give the cup to her to drink.

A child under Bar Mitzva who is not fasting need not recite Havdala before eating. Since when he grows older he will fast, there is no Mitzva of Chinuch to teach him do something he will not continue observing later.

4 thoughts on “Havdala when Tisha b’Av is Delayed

  1. if he didn’t say atah chonantanu motzei shabbos he has to daven shmone esrei again because he is not saying havdala that night

    • Thank you for taking the effort to read and comment on our articles. However, the Shulchan Aruch siman 294 seif 3 writes that it is NOT necessary to daven again since one will recite havdala motzei tisha b’av. While the Tehilla l’Dovid asks on this halacha, he does not argue and neither do any of the other poskim.

  2. i think the derech chaim writes that only if he makes havdala that night he doesn’t repeat shmone esreh which is usually the case but when tisha b’av is on sunday then l’chora you have to say shmone esreh again

Leave a Reply to Rabbi Peretz Moncharsh Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *