Tisha B Av is a solemn and important day in the Jewish calendar, marked by the remembrance and reflection on historical tragedies. It is a day of fasting and mourning for the Jewish people, commemorating the destruction of the two significant Temples in Jerusalem that occurred in 586 B.C.E. and 70 C.E.
In addition to this, the day is also held for the mourning of the other tragedies that the Jewish people have suffered. The Tisha B Av holiday serves as a symbol of resilience and faith of the Jewish people all throughout history.
This blog will serve as a guide that aims to inform both Jewish individuals who are seeking deeper understanding of this fast day and non-Jewish readers who are curious about Jewish customs. If you happen to be in the Poconos close to the time of this special day of mourning, then HolidayKeepers provides some kosher vacation rentals to stay in while observing the fast with your family.
Historical Origins of Tisha B Av
Let us first explore the historical origins of this day of mourning. The origin of the festival is pretty old, dating back to biblical times. It is mostly connected to the destruction of the two Temples in Jerusalem. Below are a few events from the past that mandate the keeping of the Tisha B Av fast.
- The twelve spies who were sent by Moses to spy the land of Canaan completed their mission. Only two of the spies brought positive news while the rest spoke badly of the land. The bad news made the Israelites cry and despair of never conquering and entering the “Promised Land.” This led to an entire generation of people wandering in the desert for forty years unable to enter the land. Only their children were later given the privilege to enter.
- The First Temple, which was built by King Solomon, was destroyed by King Nebuchadnezzar II of the Babylonian Empire. The people were then sent into a Babylonian exile.
- The Second Temple, which was built by Nehemiah and Ezra, was desecrated by Antiochus IV in 167 B.C.E. The Jews successfully drove away the Syrians in the Maccabean Revolt and rededicated the Temple, leading to the celebration of the Jewish festival of Hanukkah.
- However, this Second Temple was later destroyed by the Roman empire in 70 C.E. This led to the scattering of the Jews and beginning of the Jewish exile from their ancestral land to other parts of the globe.
- In 135 C.E., the Bar Korkhba’s revolt was crushed by the Romans who also destroyed the city of Betar, killing over 500,000 Jews.
- After this, a Roman Commander named Quintus Tineius plowed the ground as well as the surrounding area of the temple in Jerusalem.
The present day celebration of the Jewish holiday of Tisha B Av is the same as in the earlier days. The only prominent difference is the mourning of more recent tragedies like the crusades conducted by the Christian Latin Church, the Rhineland massacres and the Holocaust.
Importance of the Tisha B’Av in Jewish Culture and Religion
Tisha B’av is an important festival for the Jewish people because it is not only a day for mourning the destruction of the Temples. It is also the day the people remember the many other tragedies their ancestors have endured. The people reflect on it and learn from it. This remembrance day is believed by many to be the saddest day in the Jewish calendar, a day destined only for great tragedies.
What gives Tisha B Av meaning is that its celebration is centered around the same day in which many of the tragedies happened in Jewish history. The two major tragedies of the first and second Temples getting destroyed happened on the ninth of Av, hence giving the festival its name.
The observance of the fast of Tisha B Av is a way for the Jews to connect with their past, reflect on their suffering and renew their commitment to the faith. Another significance of Tisha B Av is that it is one of the few times the entire Jewish community comes together. In synagogues, communal services are held that are open to all, regardless of their level of observance.
Sacred Observances and Traditions
Here, we will understand the sacred observances and traditions of the Tisha BAv fast day. It is the day of culmination of a three-week period of mourning. Fasting is observed from sunset of the current day to the nightfall of the next day. The last meal should be consumed before sunset before the 9th of the Av.
This meal that acts as a separation between periods of eating and fasting is called ‘seudah hamafseket.’ The fast lasts for about 25 hours and starts just before sunset. The fast day follows the same restrictions as Yom Kippur, which include,
- No drinking or eating
- No bathing or washing
- No marital relations
- No application of oils or creams
- No wearing of leather shoes
During the festival of the fast of 9th of Av, it is traditional to read melancholic texts such as the Book of Lamentations, which describes the destruction of the First Temple. The Torah is also limited to just the passages that are related to mourning and tragedy. Along with reading, they also recite prayers focused on themes like mourning, repentance and hope. The goal of all these practices is to foster introspection and communal mourning.
What Kind of Food is Eaten on Tisha B’av?
As part of the Tisha B Av Jewish holiday, a pre-fast meal and a breaking-the-fast meal are consumed while no food or drink is taken during the day. Traditionally, the pre-fast meal includes bread, water, and a hard-boiled egg sprinkled with ashes all over them. This is to symbolize the destruction that is being mourned. The breaking-the-fast meal usually includes light daily foods.
Few of the Jews also refrain from eating red meat or chicken as well as from drinking wine for nine days to acknowledge the tragic destruction of the Second Temple.
Individuals are exempted from fasting if they are:
- Sick or have any illness and this is enough to break the fast
- Pregnant women, nursing women or those before 30 days of child birth
- Fasting until Mincha
Conclusion
The Tisha B Av holiday is a significant day in Jewish tradition that is highlighted by remembrance, mourning, and spiritual renewal. It is a unique way of connecting to the past of the Jews, contemplating on the sufferings they had endured and renewing your commitment to the faith.
I encourage you to reflect on the lessons of the festival and consider its timeless message of resilience, faith, and unity. Let us all hope for a future of peace and reconciliation, in which the tragedies commemorated on Tisha Bav will inspire positive change and solidarity.
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FAQ’s
Q: What happens if Tisha B Av falls on Shabbat?
A: If Tisha B’Av (the ninth day of the month of Av) falls on Shabbat, the observance of the fast is postponed to the following day (Sunday), as it is forbidden to fast on Shabbat. The mourning customs associated with the event are also deferred until the night of the following day.
Q: What is the 9 Av fast?
A: Tisha B’Av is a fast day that commemorates a number of tragic events that have occurred in Jewish history, primarily the destruction of the first and second temples in Jerusalem. It is observed on the ninth day of the month of Av, which usually falls in July or August.
Q: How do I prepare for Tisha B’Av?
A: To prepare for the memorial tribute, some people refrain from eating meat or drinking wine during the nine days leading up to the fast. On the day of the fast, it is customary to wear non-leather shoes, sit on the floor or low stools, and refrain from bathing, anointing oneself with oil, or engaging in marital relations.
Q: What is not allowed on Tisha B Av?
A: On this auspicious occasion, many activities that are normally permitted on other days are prohibited, including eating and drinking (with some exceptions), bathing, wearing leather shoes, engaging in marital relations, and studying Torah, except for passages related to mourning and tragedy.
Q: What five things happened on Tisha B Av?
A: There are a number of tragic events that are traditionally associated with Tisha B’Av, including the destruction of the first and second temples, the crushing of the Bar Kochba revolt, and the expulsion of Jews from Spain in 1492.
Q: Why is Tisha B Av the saddest day?
A: Tisha B’Av is considered the saddest day on the Jewish calendar because it commemorates the destruction of the two holy temples in Jerusalem, which were the centers of Jewish worship and national identity. The day is marked by prayer, fasting, and mourning, as Jews remember the tragedies that have befallen their people throughout history.
