Tisha B'Av

Tisha B'Av History

Tisha B'Av is an annual day of mourning and fasting in Judaism, commemorating the destruction of both the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem, as well as other tragic events in Jewish history. It is regarded as the saddest day in the Jewish calendar and is marked by customs such as the reading of the Book of Lamentations, refraining from activities that bring joy, and observing certain mourning practices. In addition, Tisha B'Av serves as a time to reflect on the relevance of these historical events in the present day and the importance of unity, love, and compassion in overcoming adversity.

The origins of Tisha B'Av can be traced back to biblical times, with the destruction of the First Temple by the Babylonians in 586 BCE and the Second Temple by the Romans in 70 CE, both occurring on the ninth day of the Hebrew month of Av. The observance highlights the historical bond between the UK and Israel, given the former's role in the establishment of the modern State of Israel, as well as the ongoing importance of maintaining strong ties between the two nations.

In the United Kingdom, Tisha B'Av is observed by Jews of various denominations, with synagogues and community centres holding special services and study sessions related to the day's themes. The fast, which lasts for 25 hours, begins at sunset and ends at nightfall the following day. Tisha B'Av is observed on July 26th.

Tisha B'Av facts

• As a symbol of mourning, many synagogues are dimly lit during this day and the Torah scrolls are often draped in black.
• According to Jewish tradition, the Messiah is destined to be born on Tisha B'Av, bringing redemption and rebuilding the Holy Temple.
• Some Jews refrain from certain activities like cutting hair, shaving, and listening to music during the three weeks from the 17th of Tammuz to Tisha B'Av.
• The period between the 17th of Tammuz and Tisha B'Av is known as The Three Weeks. During this time, some Jews in the United Kingdom refrain from listening to music, attending celebrations, and cutting their hair as a sign of mourning.
• The destruction of the second Temple in 70 CE by the Romans indirectly led to Jewish communities dispersing around the world, including to the United Kingdom, where they have resided for centuries.

In the News and Trending in the UK for Tisha B'Av

Top things to do in the UK for Tisha B'Av

• Listen to a Kaddish prayer (prayer for the Dead). One popular one is Kaddisch found on YouTube.
• Mourn over tragedies which occurred in the last hundred years- such as 9/11, typhoons, hurricanes, earthquakes, terrorist attacks, atom bombs, starvation and famine. Consider donating to a charity that serves the victims of such tragedies.
• Attend a special prayer service (such as Eicha and Kinot) held at your local synagogue. Participants gather to read from the Book of Lamentations and recite other mournful liturgy.
• Visit Jewish museums or cultural centers that have exhibitions on Jewish history. An example is The Jewish Museum London, a notable museum that showcases the rich history of the Jewish community in the UK.