The week of Tish'ah b'Av is calculated from the Shabbath preceding it to Tish'ah b'Av.
During this week, cutting of hair is prohibited, and this is the Minhagh of most Sepharadim.
Ashkenazim prohibit it for the twenty-two days.
Some Sepharadim have adopted this custom also.
Washing clothes is not permitted (except for children's diapers and – some say – babies' clothes).
Bathing on the eve of Shabbath Eicha (also known as Shabbath CHazon) is permitted. However, as the opinions about washing oneself from Rosh Hodesh vary on the precise details, one should consulta leader/Rabbai
.
On Shabbath Eicha Sepharadim wear Shabbath clothes, in honor of the Sabbath. Hassidim also have this Minhag,We have other minhagiem, some by Ashkenaziem other by Spharadiem.
. It is common among Sepharadim to break the fast of Tish'ah be Ab with a chicken meal. The Ashkenazi custom, however is to postpone this till the day after.
On Tish'ah be Ab it was decreed upon our forefathers that they should not enter the Land of Israel (because of the sin of the Ten Spies), the First Temple was destroyed, so too the Second, Bittair was seized and the City of Jerusalem ploughed up."
