Tisha B'Av

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Woodcut tisha b'av

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Tisha beav

Tish'a B'av 1887

יהודים מתפללים בבית הכנסת בליל ט' באב (גלויה)

Tisha B'Av is an annual fast day in Judaism, marking the destruction of the First Temple and the Second Temple in Jerusalem. It is regarded as the saddest day in the Jewish calendar and a day that is meant for mourning the destruction of these temples and other major disasters that have befallen the Jewish people throughout history. The day falls on the 9th day of the Hebrew month of Av, which typically occurs in July or August in the Gregorian calendar.

Observances

On Tisha B'Av, observant Jews fast for 25 hours, abstaining from food and drink. The fast begins at sunset on the 8th of Av and ends at nightfall on the 9th of Av. In addition to fasting, several other restrictions are observed, similar to those on Yom Kippur, including refraining from washing, wearing leather shoes, and engaging in marital relations. The evening and morning services include the reading of the book of Lamentations, which laments the destruction of Jerusalem and the First Temple.

Historical Significance

The primary focus of Tisha B'Av is the destruction of the First and Second Temples, which occurred in 586 BCE and 70 CE, respectively. However, the day also commemorates other tragic events in Jewish history that are said to have occurred on the same date, including the expulsion of the Jews from Spain in 1492 and the outbreak of World War I in 1914, which led to widespread suffering for the Jewish people.

Customs and Traditions

In addition to fasting and prayer, it is customary to sit on low stools or on the floor, as a sign of mourning, during the evening service. The book of Lamentations is read by candlelight or with a dim light. It is also customary to refrain from studying the Torah, as studying is considered a joyful activity, except for certain parts that discuss the destruction of the Temples or mourning.

Modern Observance

While Tisha B'Av is traditionally a day of mourning, it also contains a message of hope. The afternoon service includes the reading of the Haftarah, which contains prophecies of consolation. In modern times, Tisha B'Av has also been a day for Jews to reflect on the current state of the Jewish diaspora and the importance of Israel to the Jewish people.

Controversies and Criticisms

Some modern Jewish movements, particularly within Reform Judaism and Reconstructionist Judaism, have reinterpreted or diminished the observance of Tisha B'Av, seeing it as less relevant in the aftermath of the establishment of the State of Israel and the reunification of Jerusalem. However, many argue that the day still holds significant importance as a time to mourn historical tragedies and reflect on the themes of loss, exile, and hope.