[Avodah] minhagei 9 av

[Tal Moshe Zwecker]

We dont eat meat or drink wine for the taava to do so, we do so to lessen 
the depression and sadness brought one by excessive aveilus

It's the same reason we (I mean many Chassidim) have the minhag to always 
recite shir hamaalos before bentching and al naharos bavel only on 9 of av

The Mishna says 'mishenichnas Av mema'atin b'simcha' (as the month of Av 
approaches, we reduce our level of simcha) The simple reading of these words 
is "When Av enters we decrease in joy." However, as you know the Talmudic 
text contains no punctuation marks, and so this statement can be read in two 
ways.

On the one hand, yes, practically speaking, because of the tragedies that 
befell the Jewish people during the month of Av, we minimize our joy. That 
is why we fast on 17th Tammuz and 9th of Av etc.

However, we can also read it another way: "When Av enters we decrease, 
through joy." How do we diminish the pain and suffering which comes when Av 
enters? Specifically through the simchah, through a positive outlook and a 
joyous approach. That is why we have the minhag to make siyums during this 
time.

You may disagree with the Chassidic approach but remember the leaders of 
Chassidus were giants in Torah learning of Niglah as well and any argument 
you can muster they surely thought of as well.

Kol Tuv,
R' Tal Moshe Zwecker
Director Machon Be'er Mayim Chaim
Chassidic Classics in the English Language
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