Tisha BeAv- Is It Permissible To Learn Torah On Erev or Day of Tisha BeAv

The Pasuk writes, "Pikude Adonai Yisharim Mesameche Lev." The Pasuk in Tehilim tells us that Divre Torah is considered Mesameach Lev, that learning Torah brings gladness and happiness to the heart. For that reason, Chachamim said that on Erev Tisha BeAv, from mid-day and on, at about 1:00 PM in the Northeastern USA, it’s more appropriate to begin learning things that have to do with Chorban. For example, the different Nevi’im; prophet Yirmiyahu, the book of Yov, etc., or to review the Kinot (the Lamentations) that are going to be read (Rama 553:2.) Hacham Obadya Yosef in Hazon Obadya, page 248, allows the study of all subjects of Torah even after mid-day on Erev Tisha BeAv. He bases his opinion on the Maharshal, brought down by the Taz (ibid, s"k 2), and Rav Hida in Birke Yosef (S"K 3.)

Now on Tisha BeAv, the day itself, it is forbidden to learn Torah. Based on the Pasuk we opened up with, the Torah is Mesameach, and there is no enjoyment of Tisha BeAv. However the Chachamim did allow us to learn Gemara Gittin, page 56, and also a couple of pages in Gemara Sanhedrin, and also the book of Eyov, and the book Echa, and a couple of other morbid prophecies that were said over in Tanach (Hazon Obadya, page 308.) More than that however, the Chachamim did not allow, and even those things they advised not to study in depth to the point where the subjects are understood to its highest level, since that would bring enjoyment and understanding it to the highest degree. This decree also precludes us from learning Chok Yisrael on Tisha BeAv (Hazon Obadya, page 309.)

Reading Tehilim is also prohibited on Tisha BeAv. So for those people that read some special Tehilim every single day, they need to skip their quota on Tisha BeAv, and they can make it up the next day. However, to read Tehilim for a sick person or for someone who does not know how to learn anything else, may be lenient to read Tehilim (page 311.)

Regarding teaching little children, also one should try to teach them only the subject that pertains to the Chorban. (Page 310.)