What Is Tisha B

Tisha B'Av (תִּשְׁעָה בְּאָב), the 9th of the Hebrew month of Av, is the most solemn day in the Jewish calendar—a day of fasting, mourning, and lamentation commemorating the destruction of both Temples and other tragedies in Jewish history.

The Tragedies of the Ninth of Av

The Talmud lists five calamities that occurred on this date:

The Spies' Report (1312 BCE)

The spies returned from Canaan with a discouraging report; the Israelites wept, and God decreed that generation would die in the wilderness.

Destruction of the First Temple (586 BCE)

Nebuchadnezzar's Babylonians destroyed Solomon's Temple.

Destruction of the Second Temple (70 CE)

The Romans under Titus destroyed the Second Temple.

Fall of Betar (135 CE)

The Bar Kokhba revolt ended with the fall of the last fortress.

Plowing of Jerusalem (136 CE)

The Romans plowed the Temple site and rebuilt Jerusalem as a pagan city.

Later tragedies associated with Tisha B'Av include the expulsion from England (1290), the expulsion from Spain (1492), and the beginning of World War I.

Observances

Fasting

A complete 25-hour fast from sunset to nightfall, like Yom Kippur.

Five Afflictions

The same restrictions as Yom Kippur: no eating, drinking, washing for pleasure, anointing, leather shoes, or marital relations.

Reading Eicha

The Book of Lamentations (Eicha) is chanted in a mournful melody by candlelight.

Kinot

Elegiac poems mourning Jerusalem and Jewish suffering through the ages.

Sitting Low

Until midday, mourners sit on low chairs or the floor, as during shiva.

The Three Weeks

Tisha B'Av concludes a three-week mourning period beginning on the 17th of Tammuz. During this time, joyous activities are curtailed; the final nine days (from Rosh Chodesh Av) are most restrictive.

Hope Within Mourning

Even on Tisha B'Av, hope persists. The Talmud says the Messiah will be born on Tisha B'Av. In the afternoon, mourning intensity lessens, hinting at future consolation. The following Shabbat begins seven weeks of consolation prophecies.