The Three Weeks lasts from the fast on the 17th of Tammuz (Shiva Asar B'Tammuz) and end on the end of the 9th day of Av (The fast of Tisha B'Av).
The mourning is divided into four levels of increasing severity:
- From 17 Tammuz until the end of Tammuz (Evening of July 10 to Evening of July 23)
- From Rosh Chodesh Av until the week that contains the 9th of Av (Evening of July 23 to evening of July 29th)
- The week where the 9th of Av falls (Evening of July 29th to evening of July 8th)
- The 9th of Av itself (evening of July 8th to the night fall of July 9th)
This chart shows you what is permitted and what is prohibited during that particular time period of the three weeks.
| Activity | 17 Tammuz - End of Tammuz | Rosh Chodesh until week | Week of 9th of Av | 9th of Av |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Getting Married | Permitted | Prohibited | Prohibited | Prohibited |
| Saying Sheehcheyanu | Prohibited except on Shabbat | Prohibited | Prohibited | Prohibited |
| Taking a Shower | Permitted | Permitted | Permitted with Cold Water | Prohibited |
| Listening to Music | Prohibited unless Depressed | Prohibited | Prohibited | Prohibited |
| Acapella Music (sans instruments) | Permitted | Prohibited (lechatehila) | Prohibited (lechatehila) | Prohibited (lechatehila) |
| Swimming / Kosher Beach | Permitted | Permitted | Prohibited | Prohibited |
| Blessing Hagomel | Permitted | Permitted | Permitted | Prohibited |
| Blessing of HaTov V'HaMativ | Permitted | Permitted | Permitted | Permitted |
| Buying new shoes, clothing, and furnature | Permitted | Only if on sale or the price will increase | Prohibited | Prohibited |
| Washing Clothes | Permitted | Permitted | Prohibited | Prohibited |
| Shaving and Haircuts | Permitted | Permitted | Prohibited | Prohibited |
| Ironing | Permitted | Permitted | Prohibited | Prohibited |
| Wearing New Clothes | Prohibited except on Shabbat | Prohibited | Prohibited | Prohibited |
| Cutting Nails | Permitted | Permitted | Prohibited | Prohibited |
| Getting Engaged | Permitted | Permitted | Permitted | Permitted |
| Eating Meat or drinking wine | Permitted | Only on Rosh Chodesh and Havdallah | Prohibited | Prohibited |
| Dancing | Prohibited | Prohibited | Prohibited | Prohibited |