Tisha B'Av
Tisha B'Av, the Fast of the Ninth of Av, is a day of mourning
to commemorate the many tragedies that have befallen the Jewish people,
many of which coincidentally occurred on the ninth of Av.
Tisha B'Av literally means "the ninth (day) of Av" in Hebrew.
It usually occurs during August.
Tisha B'Av primarily commemorates the destruction of
the first and second Temples,
both of which were destroyed on the ninth of Av (the first by the Babylonians
in 423 B.C.E.; the second by the
Romans in 69 C.E.).
Although this holiday is primarily meant to commemorate
the destruction of the Temple, it is appropriate to consider the many other tragedies of the Jewish people that also occurred on this day. Among them are: the crushing of the Bar-Kokhba Revolt at the hands of the Romans in 133 C.E.; the expulsion of the Jews from England in 1290 C.E.; the expulsion of the Jews from Spain in 1492; and the beginning of World War I in 1914, which by general historical consensus led to World War II and the Holocaust.
Tisha B'Av is the culmination of a three-week period
of incrementally increasing mourning, beginning with the fast of the 17th of Tammuz that
commemorates the first breach of the walls of Jerusalem, before the
First Temple was destroyed. During this three-week period, weddings and other parties are not permitted, and many Jewish people refrain
from cutting their hair. From the first to the ninth of Av, it is customary
to refrain from eating meat or drinking wine (except on the Sabbath) and from wearing new
clothing.
The restrictions on Tisha B'Av are similar to those
on Yom Kippur: to refrain
from eating and drinking (even water); washing, bathing, shaving or
wearing cosmetics; wearing leather shoes; and engaging in sexual relations.
Work in the ordinary sense of the word is also restricted. People who
are ill need not fast on this day. Many of the traditional mourning practices are observed: people refrain from smiles, laughter and idle
conversation, and sit on low stools.
In synagogue, the book of Lamentations is read and
mourning prayers are recited. The ark where the Torah is kept
is draped in black.
Sources: Judaism
101, "What Happened on the Ninth of Av? A Historical Overview" with permission from Chabad.org. |