to the Mishna (Ta'anit 4:6), "from the beginning of Av, happiness is decreased." The last nine days of the three weeks—which are also the first nine days of the month of Av, culminating in the Tisha B'Av fast—constitute therefore a period of intensified mourning in the Ashkenazic custom. Many Jewish communities refrain from partaking of poultry, red meat, and wine; wearing freshly laundered clothes; and bathing in warm water. Sephardim observe many of these restrictions only from the Sunday before Tisha B'Av, dispensing with them entirely in years when Tisha B'Av falls on a Sunday. Yemenite Jews do not maintain these customs. See also Events Assyrian Siege of Jerusalem Solomon's Temple Babylonian captivity Second Temple Herod's Temple Destruction of Jerusalem Jewish-Roman wars Western Wall Related holidays Seventeenth of Tammuz The Nine Days Tisha B'Av References External links The Three Weeks Guide (aish.com) The Three Weeks Guide (Chabad.org) The Three Weeks Halacha Database (Shulchanaruchharav.com) Atzvus, Yeiush and the Three Weeks- Shiratmiriam.com Tammuz (Hebrew month) observances Tabernacle and Temples in Jerusalem Av observances