JCC Association's Early Childhood Curriculum Project 'This New Month'

Tisha B'Av - Fast of Av (August 10, 2008; Av 9, 5768)

Literally the Ninth of (the month of) Av, this day commemorates the many tragedies that have befallen the Jewish people including: the destruction of the First and Second Temples, the destruction of the entire city of Jerusalem by the Romans in 132 CE, and the expulsion from Spain in 1492. During Tisha B’Av it is customary to fast for a full 25 hours (health permitting), and to refrain from bathing, wearing leather shoes, or participating in any kind of celebration.

Tu B'Av (August 16, 2008; Av 15, 5768)

Literally the Fifteenth of (the month of) Av, this day celebrates the end of the grape harvest in Israel and the time when young men and women would find their beloved to marry. During the celebration, young women would wear a simple white dress so that every woman would have an equal chance to find a young man to marry.

Tisha B'Av, the Temple and Jewish History

Tisha B’Av commemorates the destruction of the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem and the exiles of the Jewish people from their homeland.

The First and Second Temples

The First Temple was built by King Solomon in the tenth century BCE. The construction of the First Temple transformed Jerusalem into the religious center of the Jewish people. After its destruction by King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylonia, Judaism’s leaders assured the people that God would not abandon the Jews. However, biblical poetry relates Jewish mourning over the destruction:

"By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down and we wept in our remembrance of Zion (our homeland)" (Psalm 137)

In the next generation, fortunately, the Jewish people were allowed to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple under the rule of King Cyrus of Persia. This Second Temple stood longer than the first but was eventually destroyed by the Romans in 70 CE. According to tradition, both the first and second Temples were destroyed on the ninth day of the month of Av.

Tisha B'Av

Throughout history, Tisha B’Av has also marked other calamities for the Jewish people. For example, the Jews were expelled from Spain on Tisha B’Av in 1492.

Tisha B’Av is observed by a 25 hour fast from sundown to sundown. At evening services, it is customary for congregants to sit on the floor and to mournfully chant the Book of Lamentations, one of the five Megillot of the Bible. Lamentations, written by the prophet Jeremiah, recounts the destruction of Jerusalem but ends with the prophet’s words of hope and appeal for help:

"Return us G-d to You and we shall return, renew our days as days of old" (Lamentations 5:21).

By the Shabbat following Tisha B’Av, the mournful tone of Av is over. This Shabbat is called Shabbat Nachamu, the Shabbat of Comfort, because the readings for this Shabbat include comforting words from the prophet Isaiah. With Tisha B’Av over and in the heat of summer, the Jewish people look towards the fall, and the beginning of the New Year.

Observing Tisha B'Av Today

What can we as modern Jews learn from commemorating Tisha B’Av? The Temples have not stood for centuries and so today we should concentrate on the connection between the Jewish people and their homeland, the land of Israel. Since the exiles, the Jewish people have struggled to return and rebuild a Jewish nation. The current situation in Israel has divided the Jewish people along political and religious lines. Nevertheless, we should all remember that Israel remains at the center of the Jewish experience - both historical and modern. Throughout the year, Jews physically and spiritually turn themselves in prayer toward Jerusalem. Tisha B’Av helps us to remember this connection between the Jewish experience and Jerusalem and to continue to hope for a peaceful resolution to the Middle East conflict.