Tisha B'Av

Tisha B'Av (the ninth of Av) is the saddest day on the Jewish calendar because of the incredible series of tragedies which occurred on that date throughout Jewish History.  Some of these tragedies include:

1. The sin of the spies caused Hashem to decree that the Children of Israel who left  Egypt would not be permitted to enter the land of Israel;

2. The first Temple was destroyed;

3. The second Temple was destroyed;

4. Betar, the last fortress to hold out against the Romans during the Bar Kochba revolt in the year 135, fell, sealing the fate of the Jewish people.

5. One year after the fall of Betar, the Temple area was plowed.

6. In 1492, King Ferdinand of Spain issued the expulsion decree, setting Tisha B'Av as the final date by which not a single Jew would be allowed to walk on Spanish soil.

7. World War I- which began the downward slide toward the Holocaust- began on Tisha B'Av. 

Unlike the 17th of Tammuz, Tisha B'Av starts at sundown on the eighth day and concludes at sundown on the ninth day of Av.   Observances on this day include, fasting, not wearing leather shoes, no music (and singing only songs pertinent to the holiday), sitting on the floor, and studying only specific Torah portions and certain parts of the Talmud.  Men will also not wear T'fillin or tallisim in the morning, Shacharit and Birkat Hamazon, etc are said and not sung.  People also refrain form greeting each other.  Instead of saying "Laila Tov," we just say "Laila."  Some Conservatives say we should only fats half of the day because the first half of the day is focused on the destruction, but the second half of the day is more focused on rebuilding and the future of the Jewish people, which should be more happy and optimistic.  So some Jews will stop fasting after Mincha. 

The night Tisha B'Av begins, the traditional Book of Eicha (Lamentations) is read.  This is where the prophet Jeremiah weeps about destruction and we are supposed to weep with him.  Eicha is chanted in a distinct nusach (or tune) and is recited after Ma'ariv while everyone is sitting on the floor, closer to the earth.   

There are many stories or midrashim told throughout the day on Tisha B'Av.  The main one is called Kamtza and Bar Kamtza.  It is a really good story about community but is being saved for another time.

STEPHI BLANK
PINWHEEL'S REGIONAL RELIGION/ EDUCATION VP
2005-2006