4. In a year when Erev Tish'ah B'av falls on a Monday, a person who [has taken a vow to] fast [every] Monday and Thursday, should ask a [Rabbi] to annul his vow (1). A person who has a "yahrzeit" (2) on Erev Tish'ah B'av, [should do as follows]: In the first year, he should specify that he is fasting only until midday (that is, halachic "chatzot") [so as to establish this as his custom]. He should pray Minchah Gedolah, that is [he should pray the afternoon service] one half hour after midday. He should then eat a normal meal and, shortly before nightfall, he should eat the se'udah hamafsekes (final meal before the fast) (3).

5. Everything that is forbidden on Tish'ah B'av itself is also forbidden between sunset and the appearance of the stars (4). Therefore, one must remove one's shoes before sunset (5).

FOOTNOTES:

(1) So as to avoid having to fast two days consecutively.

(2) A "yahrzeit" is the anniversary of the death of a close relative. Many fast on a "yahrzeit."

(3) See HY 123:3

(4) We don't know the precise moment after sunset that it is considered "nightime" (and thus, the beginning of the next day in the Hebrew calendar). Once three stars appear, it is definitely considered "night." The period between sunset and the appearance of three stars is called "Bein Hashemashos" and due to the doubt involved, we are stringent and view it as "night" regarding certain laws.

(5) We will see in the next chapter that leather shoes are prohibited on Tish'ah B'av.

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