During the three weeks, there are five levels of mourning – in ascending order: the first is 17 Tammuz, then Rosh Chodesh Av, followed by the week within which Tisha B’av falls, then erev Tisha B’av and finally Tisha B’av itself. The restrictions intensify as the three weeks progress. On 17 Tammuz, we stop having weddings for the three weeks. Regarding Rosh Chodesh Av it says “Mishenichnas Av, memaatin b’simcha,” as Av begins, we diminish joy. The week which Tisha B’av falls, is when some have the custom of no longer eating meat meals (our minhag is to refrain from eating meat for all nine days). On erev Tisha B’av, we refrain from taking pleasure walks, and on Tisha B’av we refrain from learning Torah. The Dzibo Dayan explains that these five levels of aveilus correspond to the chamisha chumshei Torah– measure for measure. The gemara tells us we were exiled ‘she’azvam es torasi,’ we forsook the Torah. When you forsake the five books of the Torah, it chas v’shalom causes the five levels of mourning. Sefer Bereishis is primarily about marriages – the marriages of the avos to the imahos. When we do not cling tenaciously to Bereishis, it brings the first level of mourning – 17 Tammuz – when one can no longer get married. Sefer Shmos is primarily about the greatest of joys – Yetzias Mitzrayim – Krias Yam Suf – Kabalas Hatorah. Abandoning Sefer Shemos corresponds to the second level of mourning – Rosh Chodesh Av – when we are told to diminish our joy. Sefer Vayikra teaches us about the korbanos. When we abandon Sefer Vayikra, It brings the third level of mourning – the week which Tisha B’av falls – we stop eating meat, corresponding to the meat of the karabanos. Sefer Bamidbar speaks about the travels of Klal Yisroel. When we don’t cling tenaciously to Bamidbar, it brings the fourth level of mourning, on erev Tisha B’av we can no longer enjoy our walks. Sefer Devarim is known as Mishna Torah, where we have a summary of the entire Torah. When we forsake Sefer Devarim, we experience the most severe level of mourning – Tisha B’av, when we are forbidden from learning Torah. May we be zoche during these three weeks to cling tenaciously and to learn and live by the five sefarim of the Torah – so that we no longer have these five levels of mourning and turn them into days of joy culminating in the ultimate simcha of the Geulah Shleimah.

By Rabbi Ephraim E. Shapiro – Congregation Shaaray Tefilah of North Miami Beach!