Taanit 29 - Shabbat December 11, 7 Tevet

Study Guide Taanit 29

How do we know that the five events mentioned in the Mishna as having occurred on the 9th of Av, were actually on that date? The Romans decreed to kill Rabban Gamliel but a Roman officer saved him in exchange for a promise by Rabban Gamliel that he would be promised a place in the World to Come. A story is told of young children of kohanim that committed suicide during the destruction of the Temple. When Av enters, we limit happy things, but when Adar enters, we increase happy things. The mazal is with the Jews in Adar and is not with the Jews in Av, and therefore one should try to push off court cases with gentiles in Av and try to have them in Adar. One cannot do laundry or get a haircut on the week of Tisha B'av. Is it only laundry one wants to wear or even if it is left for later? Is it only the days of the week before  Tisha B'av or is it the entire week including the days after Tisha B'av? What other opinions are there regarding the dates for these prohibitions?