Tending While Rending
Question:
Hertzl from Ramat Beit Shemesh asked:
My mum is coming to visit immediately after Tisha B'Av, and I want the garden to look neat and clean upon her arrival. On what days are we permitted to hire a gardener to do work such as trimming trees and shrubbery, mowing the lawn, and removing weeds? During the three weeks? The nine days? How about before noon on the 10th of Av?
Answer:
You can have a gardener do all the work that you mentioned throughout the aveilus period. On Tisha B'av itself, you should not have a Jew do that work for you.
Planting for aesthetic purposes is prohibited. You should not have a gardener plant trees, flowers, grass, or other plants in order to have a pleasant garden for scenery or relaxation. The issur is effective from sunset at the beginning of Rosh Chodesh Av until chatzos on the tenth of Av.
However, if the primary reason for planting the tree is a practical consideration such as to have aravos for Succos or to benefit from the fruit, it is permitted.
Only planting is prohibited. One can water an existing garden or trim shrubs and plants.
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