For the source text click/tap here: Moed Katan 21
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One is prohibited from learning Torah while in mourning because it is a source of joy
(Our daf Mo’ed Katan 21a and Rashi s.v. “v-assur”).
Yet, R’ Soloveitchik asserts that the learning of Torah on Tish’ah be-Av in order to appreciate and consequences of the events on that day, is a fulfillment of mourning:
While the study of Torah is prohibited on Tish’ah be-Av, the study of the events that happened on Tish’ah be-Av is not only permitted but is, in itself, a fulfillment of avelut (mourning).
Understanding what Tish’ah be-Av means – a retrospective reexperiencing and reliving of the events it commemorates, appreciating its meaning in Jewish history and particularly the consequences and results of the catastrophe that struck us so many years ago that it commemorates – is identical to kiyyum avelut (a fulfillment of mourning).
On Tish’ah be-Av avelut means to understand what happened, and that understanding or intellectual analysis is to be achieved… in the light of both Torah she-bi-khtav and Torah she-be-al peh, the Written and Oral Law. These are our only frames of reference…
We explore notions of Torah joy, learning, aveilus and the niggun of Torah joy...