Rabbinic laws for year round recollection of the destruction of the Temple and Jerusalem.
Hilkhoth Ta'aniyyoth
5:12-13
After the 2nd Temple was destroyed, the Sages of the Mosaic Court instituted in that same generation the following edicts as expression of mourning over Temple's destruction:
One should never build a building whitewashed and with decorative molding, like the buildings of kings.
Rather, one should plaster his house with mortar and whitewash it, while leaving a an area of one cubit by one cubit exposed without whitewash. This place should be opposite the entrance.
One who takes possession of a courtyard which is beautifully whitewashed with decorative molding is not obligated to strip the walls of its beauty. It can remain as it was.
Likewise they instituted that one who arranges a table for a meal with guests should leave it a little bit incomplete, as an expression of mourning over the destruction of the 2nd Temple. He should leave an empty place on the table which is without a bowel that is suited to be place there.
When a woman makes silver and gold jewelry, she should exclude a piece of jewelry from the jewelry she is accustomed to, so that the jewelry will not be 100%completete.
When a groom gets married, ashes should be placed on his head in the location where tefillin is placed.
All of these these practices were instituted for the sake of remembering Yerushalaiyim (Jerusalem), as it is stated:
"If I shall forget you, O' Jerusalem, may my right hand be forget [its function] and may my tongue cleave to my gums - if I shall not remember you, if I shall not give Jerusalem precedence over even my most joyous occasion."
(Ps. 137:5-6)
[*halakha 14 will be covered in a separate clip*]
5:15 - 19
The Sages of the Mosaic Court later also decreed that a groom should not place upon his head a wedding crown, as it is stated: "Remove the ceremonial turban and take off the crown." (Ez. 21:31).
They decreed likewise regarding a brides coronet, if it was silver or gold; but if it was just decorative strands, then it is permitted to her.
One who sees the cities of Judah in their state of destruction should say, "The cities of Your holiness have become wilderness," (Is. 64:9), and he ripes his garment.
One who sees Jerusalem in its state of destruction should say "Our House of holiness and splendor, for which our forefathers praised You, has become for fire's burning; and all our beauty (MAHaMADeinu) has turned to destruction," (Is. 64:10), and he ripes his garment.
And from what point is one obligated to ripe one's garment? From Mt. Scopus.
And when he arrives to the place of the Holy Temple, he makes another ripe.
If he encountered the place of the Holy Temple first, as when coming by way of the Judean desert, he ripes his garment for the Temple and then adds to it over the destruction of Jerusalem.
All of these tears should should be made with one's hands while standing. One tears through all the clothing which is upon him, till he exposes his heart. None of these tears should ever be mended, but one is permitted to weave it back together in manner similar to ladder-steps.
If one goes and comes to Jerusalem often, if he returned within a 30 day period, he does not ripe his garment additionally. If he returned after 30 days, he again tears his garment.
All of the fasts of mourning will be nullified in the days of Moshiahh ('messiah'). Moreover, they will be turned into special days of happiness and jubilation, as it is stated, "ZECH 8.19"
