1. Weddings, Singing, and Dancing
   1. No weddings should take place during this period. An engagement can take place and light refreshments may be served. Until Rosh Chodesh Av even a seuda may be served.
   2. One should refrain from singing and dancing during this period. This includes both playing musical instruments and listening to music, whether it be live, taped, with vocals, or just instrumental. Some poskim allow listening to classical and background music. Some poskim are also lenient for kindergarten teachers. However, children who have reached the age of chinuch should refrain from singing and dancing since they ought to participate in the public displays of mourning.
   3. On Shabbos these prohibitions do not apply and zemiros may be sung. This is also true for people who do not usually sing zemiros on Shabbos. Many poskim hold that even during the Nine Days there is no prohibition against singing nigunim without musical accompaniment.
   4. Some poskim allow someone who is learning how to play instruments to practice until Rosh Chodesh Av, but not afterwards.

2. Haircuts and Shaving
   1. One should refrain from getting a haircut or shaving during this period. This applies to children as well, even before the age of chinuch.
   2. The prohibition includes all body hair, however a woman whose hair sticks out from under her hair covering is allowed to trim that hair. Some poskim allow women to remove body hair for beautification.
   3. One is allowed to comb and brush his hair even though hairs fall out in the process.
   4. One may also cut his fingernails during this period. Some poskim limit this to mitzvah needs, such as Erev Shabbos, etc. One is allowed to use make-up during this period.

3. Saying Shehechiyanu
   1. There are a number of different opinions as to whether it is proper to say the brachah of Shehechiyanu during a period which is so obviously a time of mourning:
      1. The Arizal: No Shehechiyanu should be said, even on Shabbos. Rav Chaim Vital relates that he once was forced to eat a new fruit during this time and did so without making a Shehechiyanu.
      2. The G”ra. A Shehechiyanu may be said throughout the entire period.
      3. The Mishnah Berurah: Say Shehechiyanu only on Shabbos but avoid it during the week.
      4. The Aruch Hashulchan: Until Rosh Chodesh, Shehechiyanu is said even during the week. From Rosh Chodesh on it should not be said even on Shabbos.

2. As a result of the above, the following halachos apply to purchasing new clothing and eating new foods during this period.
   1. During those times that a Shehechiyanu would not be said, one should not purchase the type of new clothing that would necessitate such a bracha (i.e. clothing that causes a special happiness).
   2. From Rosh Chodesh on, however, one should refrain from purchasing even clothing that is unimportant and does not require a Shehechiyanu.
   3. If the clothing was bought before this period, and a Shehechiyanu was said at that time, the clothing may be worn for the first time during this period.

3. The above halachos would also apply to eating new fruit.
   1. A pregnant woman who has a craving for new fruit may eat it. In such a case, there are some poskim who say that she says Shehechiyanu, while others disagree. Some poskim say that she should not say Shehechiyanu now, rather she should eat another new fruit after Tisha B’Av and have in mind that her Shehechiyanu include the first fruit also. If the fruit will not be available after Tisha B’Av, some poskim say that a Shehechiyanu can be made, although it is best to wait until Shabbos if possible.
   2. In the case of a Bris or Pidyon Haben, Shehechiyanu is said as usual.

4. The Mishnah Berurah brings in the name of the Arizal that one should set aside some time each day in the afternoon to ponder the significance of the destruction of the Beis Hamikdash. If possible, one should try and cry over the destruction. One should refrain from hitting children or students during this period.

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