For the source text click/tap here: Taanit 30
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Aside from the five basic activities forbidden on Tisha be-Av (eating and drinking, washing, anointing, wearing leather shoes, and sexual relations), the baraita teaches that all of the restrictions that apply to someone who is in mourning for a close relative are applicable to all Jews on Tisha be-Av. A person is not allowed to learn Torah – neither Tanakh nor the Oral Law – except for things that are in the spirit of the day, like kinot, Sefer Iyov and the parts of Yirmiyahu that describe the destruction of the Temple.
Over the past millenia Tisha B'av also embodies the hope for the future rebuilding of the destroyed Beis Hamikdash as well as the birthday of the Messiah.
We explore the halachic parameters of learning on this day then look at false Messiahs who were born on this day. We end with the disturbing article by Sol Kirsch reviewing the academic analysis of Chabad Messianism.