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Is there a proper greeting for the Three Weeks and Tisha B'av? For some reason "goodday" or "shalom aleichem" don't seem like good greetings for a period of mourning.

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    You're not allowed to greet people on Tisha bav...
    – Double AA ♦
    Jul 31, 2017 at 0:34
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    During the 3 weeks, you can greet people in the same "normal" way you would every other day of the year, e.g. "Hello", "Good morning", "Yo guy", etc. Tish'a B'av you shouldn't greet someone else in any way; not even a wave or acknowledgement. If someone else greets you, you respond in a curt and quiet voice so that they don't feel offended. But, otherwise, absolutely no greeting should be given to anyone.
    – DanF
    Jul 31, 2017 at 1:39
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    There's someone I know who greets people with "Not hi" on Tisha B'Av. Not sure how halachically sound that is, but there you have it.
    – DonielF
    Jul 31, 2017 at 5:03
  • @DonielF Weird. That sounds like the same idea of counting people in the minyan by "Not one; not two.." You're still counting with a number, and there you're still greeting. In the answer, I'm a bit surprised that waving is acceptable. I guess one could state that's its a way to get attention and not necessarily a greeting.
    – DanF
    Jul 31, 2017 at 14:36
  • As per this discussion, you might want to specify if you're looking for a source in halacha or if you're just looking for good suggestions (the latter probably being either too broad, opinion-based, or both).
    – DonielF
    Jul 31, 2017 at 17:52

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Based on (O.C. 554:21) אֵין שְׁאֵלַת שָׁלוֹם לַחֲבֵרוֹ בְּתִשְׁעָה בְּאָב, וְהֶדְיוֹטוֹת שֶׁאֵינָם יוֹדְעִים וְנוֹתְנִים שָׁלוֹם, מְשִׁיבִים לָהֶם בְּשָׂפָה רָפָה וּבְכֹבֶד רֹאשׁ,

Rav Ari Enkin concludes his article saying,

While it may just be that those who choose to be strict and not offer any greeting whatsoever when in mourning or on Tisha B'av are following a preferred course, it cannot be suggested that a simple social acknowledgment is in violation of halacha. Those who feel that it is rude or uncomfortable to pass others without an acknowledgement of some sort should feel free to offer a somber "hello" without reservation.[Be'er Moshe 4:106] Often merely saluting another person in a somewhat formal manner and tone of voice ("Mr. Levine") accomplishes the same thing as well.

Although Guidelines (Q:263) writes not to nod in greeting on Tisha B'Av, this pamphlet put out by the Agudah (p26) writes

Nodding and Waving are Permissible

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I always say "have an easy fast".

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  • Welcome! When you get enough reputation, you'll be able to comment on anyone's post.
    – DonielF
    Jul 31, 2017 at 17:00
  • that was a answer, that's honestly that I would say tbh.
    – Bonastruc
    Jul 31, 2017 at 17:07
  • If you interpret the question as "what would you say on Tisha B'Av" then it would be closed as opinion-based. The intent seems to be looking for sources in Halacha as to what is appropriate and what is not, as the other answer does.
    – DonielF
    Jul 31, 2017 at 17:08
  • I like this answer. ;) Although the other answer is what I was looking for. +1 on this one, though.
    – ezra
    Jul 31, 2017 at 17:17
  • @DonielF The OP said nothing about halakha. It asked what is proper, and this user answered what seems proper. You can critique the OP for being vague, but not this post for answering it.
    – mevaqesh
    Jul 31, 2017 at 17:27

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