kosher fish During the Nine Days: A Practical Guide
Every year, as summer settles in and the Hebrew calendar turns to the month of Av, Ashkenazi Jews observe a period of mourning known as the Nine Days. During this time, fish becomes the centerpiece of the Jewish table — not by default, but by longstanding custom. If you are planning your menus for the Nine Days, this guide covers everything you need to know.
What Are the Nine Days?
The Nine Days span the first nine days of the Hebrew month of Av, from 1 Av through the fast of Tisha B‘Av on 9 Av. This period of mourning commemorates the destruction of both the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem, along with other tragedies throughout Jewish history.
In 2026, the Nine Days run from Sunday, July 26 through Saturday, August 1, with Tisha B’Av observed on Sunday, August 3. The one-day shift is because 9 Av falls on Shabbat in 2026, and fasts that coincide with Shabbat (other than Yom Kippur) are moved to the following day.
Why No Meat or Poultry?
The restriction on meat and poultry during the Nine Days is not a Torah prohibition — it is a minhag, a custom, rooted in mourning. Meat and wine are associated with celebration and festivity in Jewish tradition, and refraining from them is an act of solidarity with the mourning of the Temple’s destruction.
Ashkenazi practice is to avoid meat and poultry for the full Nine Days. Sephardic practice generally differs: many Sephardim restrict meat only during the week in which Tisha B’Av falls, known as Shavua She-chal Bo. As with most matters of minhag, consult your own family tradition or rabbi for the practice that applies to you.
Why Fish Is Permitted
Fish occupies a distinct category in Jewish law. It is neither meat nor poultry. The prohibition against meat and poultry during the Nine Days does not touch fish at all — fish is fully permitted throughout the period. Fish is also pareve, meaning it contains no meat or dairy, which gives it remarkable flexibility on the kosher table.
Which Kosher Fish Work Best During the Nine Days
Summer is an ideal time for fish. The heat makes lighter proteins appealing, grilling is at its peak, and many species are at their best. The top choices for the Nine Days:
- salmon — Versatile, widely available, and festive enough to anchor a holiday-level meal. Works grilled, baked, poached, or as a composed salad.
- tilapia — Affordable, mild, and cooks quickly. An excellent everyday fish for feeding a family through the Nine Days without strain on the grocery budget.
- tuna — Canned tuna is a Nine Days pantry staple. Fresh or sushi-grade tuna works beautifully grilled or seared.
- Flounder and sole — Light, delicate, and fast to prepare. Good for warm evenings when you want something easy.
- Cod — Firm, flaky, and adaptable. Works in tacos, baked with vegetables, or in a light broth.
- Sardines — Canned sardines are underrated during the Nine Days. High in protein and omega-3s, inexpensive, and require no cooking.
- Trout — Whole trout grills beautifully and makes a visually impressive meal for Shabbat during the Nine Days.
Practical Meal Ideas for the Nine Days
- Fish tacos — Cod or tilapia with cabbage slaw, lime, and avocado in corn tortillas. Easy, crowd-pleasing, and feels like summer.
- Baked salmon with roasted vegetables — Sheet-pan cooking keeps the kitchen cool and cleanup minimal.
- Tuna pasta — A classic Nine Days dish. Canned kosher tuna with olive oil, garlic, capers, and pasta is ready in under 20 minutes.
- Sardines on rye or crusty bread — A quick lunch that requires nothing more than opening a can.
- Grilled whole trout — Perfect for a Nine Days Shabbat when you want something that feels festive without meat.
A Note on Fish and Dairy Together
Since fish is pareve and dairy is permitted, it might seem natural to pair fish with cheese or cream sauces freely. There is, however, a widespread custom — and for many communities, a halachic ruling — not to eat fish and dairy together in the same dish or at the same meal. Practice varies: many Ashkenazim avoid fish and dairy together, while others permit it. Check with your own rabbi or follow your family custom. Fish with olive oil, lemon, and vegetables is always unambiguously fine.
Making the Most of the Nine Days
The Nine Days, for all their solemnity, are also an opportunity to cook and eat fish in ways that get overlooked during the rest of the year. A well-prepared piece of salmon or a beautifully grilled whole trout is not a consolation prize. With good fish, good technique, and seasonal produce at peak summer quality, the Nine Days table can be genuinely excellent.