Monday August 12th, 2024 commences 9 Ab, the Fast Day of the Fifth Month. It lasts like Yom Quipur for 25 hours. Spanish & Portuguese Israelites enjoy traditionally a meal with bread and hard boiled eggs prior to evening services. Like on Yom Quipur we may not eat or drink. We may not wear leather shoes or festive clothing. Shoes made of cloth, rubber, or plastic are permitted, but leather shoes may be worn for medical reasons or if a substitute can't be found. We may not take haircuts or shave. We may not engage in marital relations, apply ointments, creams, or perfumes, or sit on our regular seats in synagogue until after morning prayers on the 9th of Ab. We should also refrain from greeting others, sending gifts, or engaging in pleasurable activities. At the end of the evening service we say Morir Havemos. Moreover we postpone the Sanctification of the Moon until after Ngarbith after the fast. Customarily we refrain from traveling this week until Wednesday Evening unless it's absolutely necessary. Kindly notice that like on Yom Quipur a Brith Mila celebration has preference over mourning but the Sengudath Misva is postponed until after the fast. While our clergy reading the services sit on special seats the congregation is seated in the sanctuary on a seat opposite where one is normally seated. Sitting low or on the floor isn’t permitted for regular congregants and also not for Ashquenasi guests. We will have black vestments covering the Tebah, Hekhal, and the large candles on the Tebah. The order of services is in accordance with the fast day of Ab liturgy. Kindly notice the changes commenced under Rabbi Dr. Marc D. Angel for the special section on the 9th of Ab in the Ngamida. Nobody is called by name to the Torah. The ones called for Cohen, Levi and Maftir last Shabbat are called once again in the morning. Immediately following the morning services the synagogue is restored into its regular fashion. During Minha the special Nahamu Nahamu verses are read immediately following the Ngamidah. Evening services including the prayer for the new moon may be recited like on Friday evening but one cannot consume Food & Beverage until the end time of the fast.