Editing Jewish holidays (section)

====The Three Weeks and the Nine Days====
{{main article|The Three Weeks|The Nine Days}}
* The Three Weeks: 17 Tammuz – 9 [[Av (month)|Av]]
* The Nine Days: 1–9 Av
* The Week of Tisha B'Av (beginning at the conclusion of Shabbat preceding Tisha B'Av)

The period between the fasts of 17 Tammuz and 9 Av, known as the "Three Weeks" (Hebrew:  בין המצרים, "between the straits"<ref>{{bibleref|Lamentations|1:3|HE}}</ref>), features a steadily increasing level of mourning practices as Tisha B'Av approaches. Ashkenazi Jews refrain from conducting weddings and other joyful events throughout the period unless the date is established by Jewish law (as for a [[bris]] or ''[[pidyon haben]])''. They do not cut their hair during this period.<ref name=sa551>{{cite wikisource |wslink=Shulchan Aruch/Orach Chaim/551 |title=Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 551 |noicon=yes |postscript=.}}</ref> Starting on the first of Av and throughout the nine days between the 1st and 9th days of Av, Ashkenazim traditionally refrain from eating [[meat]] and drinking [[wine]], except on Shabbat or at a ''Seudat Mitzvah'' (a [[Mitzvah]] meal, such as for a bris or ''[[siyum]]'').<ref name=sa551 /> They also refrain from bathing for pleasure.<ref name=sa551 /> Sefardic practice varies some from this; the less severe restrictions usually begin on 1 Av, while the more severe restrictions apply during the week of Tisha B'Av itself.<ref name=sa551 />

Subject to the variations described above, [[Orthodox Judaism]] continues to maintain the traditional prohibitions.  In [[Conservative Judaism]], the [[Rabbinical Assembly]]'s Committee on Jewish Law and Standards has issued several [[halakha|responsa (legal rulings)]] which hold that the prohibitions against weddings in this timeframe are deeply held traditions, but should not be construed as binding law. Thus, Conservative Jewish practice would allow weddings during this time, except on the 17th of Tammuz and 9th of Av themselves.{{refn|group=Note|See, ''e.g.,'' {{cite book|title=Proceedings of the Committee on Jewish Law and Standards of the Conservative Movement 1927–1970|year=1998|volume=III|publisher=The Rabbinical Assembly and The Institute of Applied Halakhah|location=Jerusalem|editor=Rabbi David Golinkin}}. Based on these responsa, many Conservative rabbis will only perform small weddings in the rabbi's study between 1–9 Av.}} Rabbis within [[Reform Judaism]] and [[Reconstructionist Judaism]] hold that halakha (Jewish law) is no longer binding and follow their individual consciences on such matters. Nevertheless, the rabbinical manual of the Reform movement encourages Reform rabbis not to conduct weddings on Tisha B'Av itself "out of historical consciousness and respect" for the Jewish community.<ref>{{cite web|title=Ask the Expert: Wedding Timing|url=http://www.myjewishlearning.com/ask_the_expert/at/Ask_the_Expert_wedding_timing.shtml|website=MyJewishLearning.org|access-date=June 11, 2013|archive-date=January 9, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150109090525/http://www.myjewishlearning.com/ask_the_expert/at/Ask_the_Expert_wedding_timing.shtml|url-status=dead}}</ref>