The Three Weeks · Bein HaMetzarim

Culture of origin: Jewish · Cultural

Holiday sources: Israel · Judaism

The Three Weeks, Bein HaMetzarim ("between the straits"), run from the fast of 17 Tammuz, when the walls of Jerusalem were breached, to Tisha B'Av, when the Temple was destroyed. It is a time of mourning: Ashkenazim hold no weddings, listen to no music and do not cut their hair, and the last Nine Days, from 1 Av, are stricter still. The period is counted from 17 Tammuz even in years when that fast moves to Sunday.