Tisha B'Av

Tisha B’Av is the saddest day in the Jewish Year. It is a day of national mourning which commemorates the destruction of both the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem in the years 586 BCE and 70 CE respectively. Throughout our long history, other calamities that have befallen our people have also been linked to this day, yet the destruction of the ancient Temples, Jerusalem, Biblical Judaism and the loss of our spiritual center remain the focal point of loss on this holiday.

On Tisha B’Av we observe many of the traditional customs of mourning. We dress in a manner that outwardly shows our sadness by not bathing or shaving on Tisha B’Av. We also do not wear new clothing or shoes with leather soles, an ancient sign of wealth and comfort. Additionally, we do not engage in behavior that is joyful or pleasurable on this day, such as listening to music, a behavior which is reflected in the service as we read, rather than sing the prayers. We do not wear Tefillin on the morning of Tisha B’Av, but wait until Mincha to do so, and we read Eicha, the Book of Lamentations, once by candlelight and sitting on the floor as Tisha B’Av begins in the evening and again in the morning. Most notably, we emphasize our grief on this day by fasting, Tisha B’Av being the only other full fast day, from sundown to an hour after sundown, just like Yom Kippur.

We hope that you will join us this year in marking Tisha B’Av, and helping to commemorate the tragedy of this day and the impact it has had on our religion and national history.