An easy fast

I was able to take the day off, so that I wouldn't have to deal with commuting while fasting. Aside from going to synagogue last night and this morning, I haven't left my air-conditioned apartment. My Tisha B'Av is so much easier than my ancestors' Tisha B'Av was.

I hasten to add that we're also fortunate that Tisha B'Av took place in mid-July this year, rather than two-three weeks later. The brick building in which we live is like a pizza oven in that it takes a long time to heat up, but once it's heated, even our air conditioners aren't completely effective.

It also turns out that I cheated through ignorance--according to the Rosenfeld Tisha B'Av Tefillot and Kinnot book, one is supposed to eat dinner before Minchah (Afternoon Service). I'd already said Minchah at my usual time, during my lunch hour at the office, so I took my time finishing dinner and going to synagogue, figuring that it was okay to show up for Maariv/Arvit (Evening Service). Oh, well, I'll know for next year.