Tisha b’Av, or the Ninth of Av, stands out as one of the most somber dates on the Jewish calendar. Every year, we reflect on why this day matters so much and how it marks centuries of mourning and hope for Jewish communities worldwide. Tisha b’Av is more than just a historical event. While not a commanded observance in Torah, it is a day woven from the stories of pain, destruction, and resilience that have shaped Jewish identity for generations.
The Historical Background of Tisha b’Av
Tisha b’Av marks the ninth day of the Hebrew month of Av and holds deep roots stretching back thousands of years. The day is traditionally associated with the destruction of the First Temple in Jerusalem by the Babylonians in 586 BCE and the destruction of the Second Temple by the Romans in 70 CE. Both events marked turning points for the Jewish people, leading to exile and huge changes in Jewish life. Families were uprooted, traditions were disrupted, and collective mourning became an annual ritual.
Further, Tisha b’Av links to several other tragedies throughout Jewish history, including the fall of Betar during the Bar Kokhba revolt, the expulsion of Jews from Spain in 1492, and other painful events that famously occurred on this date. This series of unfortunate events has led many to view the Ninth of Av as a day shadowed by historic sorrow and loss. In fact, some even say the First Crusade, the outbreak of World War I, and other events also began on or near this date, shaping how communities worldwide remember collective suffering.
Why Tisha b’Av Is So Meaningful
This day goes well beyond a simple history lesson. For many, Tisha b’Av is a chance to join together in collective memory and grief. Mourning for the temples becomes a symbol of all the pain experienced by Jewish communities over centuries. Tisha b’Av helps preserve memory and keeps hope alive for better times, even in the face of hardship.
Tisha b’Av also sets aside time to reflect on the importance of unity and compassion among people, highlighting that many tragedies happened due to internal discord as well as external threats. Learning about this day makes us much more aware of the importance of community and understanding in today’s world. It inspires people from different backgrounds to check out their shared values—bringing together lessons from the past that still matter in the present. The commemoration reminds us to stick together and show kindness, not only within the Messianic and Hebrew Roots community but to others as well.
The Rituals and Observances of Tisha b’Av
The observance of Tisha b’Av is unique and serious. Traditionally the day is marked by fasting for about 25 hours, much like Yom Kippur. From sunset on the eve of the eighth (the beginning of the ninth) until nightfall the next day, no food or drink is taken by those able to observe the fast.
Rituals around Tisha b’Av are designed to echo the themes of mourning. Jewish synagogues are dimly lit, and congregants often sit on low stools or even on the floor as a sign of grief. The Book of Lamentations and various kinot (Hebrew poems, specifically elegies or dirges) are read aloud. The melodies and words create a powerful atmosphere of sadness and longing.
- Refraining from Pleasures: On Tisha b’Av, many people also avoid activities such as bathing, anointing with oil, wearing leather shoes, and marital relations. These restrictions are intended to help focus thoughts on the meaning of the day and the losses it commemorates.
- Restrictions on Greeting: Custom also dictates that people avoid the usual greetings and pleasantries as a way to maintain the solemn mood.
Even the physical space changes. Lights are dim, Torah scrolls and reading tables are covered, and prayer books are often used with an intensity not seen on other days. These changes help set the day apart. Many avoid unnecessary talking, socializing, or distractions, using the weight of silence to set the mood. These customs remind everyone of the gravity of loss and the long wait for comfort and rebuilding.
Preparation and What Makes Tisha b’Av Unique
The period leading up to Tisha b’Av also carries special meaning. Starting with the “Three Weeks” from the 17th of Tammuz, personal and communal mourning practices start to increase. Some people even begin to limit celebrations, new purchases, and listening to music during this time. The last nine days before Tisha b’Av include additional restrictions, such as not eating meat or drinking wine, and not wearing freshly laundered clothes. This longer period of mourning makes the final day’s emotional impact even stronger for those who observe.
Just before Tisha b’Av, there is a change in the traditional Haftarah readings. For more on this, read my articles on The Haftarah Portions and Summer Observance and Tradition.
On the eve of Tisha b’Av, homes and synagogues are often kept dim, and meals before the fast are simple — usually just bread, sometimes dipped in ashes, or a hardboiled egg — to serve as a reminder of mourning. These traditions all help really connect with the mood and purpose of the day. In many homes, children are included in simplified versions of the rituals so they can feel the day’s seriousness but without the fasting. Having everyone involved helps cement the sense of unity and community that this day encourages.
Challenges and Emotional Impact
Observing Tisha b’Av can feel emotionally and physically difficult. The fast itself, especially in the hot summer, can be draining. But more challenging is the reflective, somber spirit that surrounds the day. Spending hours reading sorrowful texts and picturing ancient loss makes the sadness feel immediate. It’s a time that forces us to slow down, sit with discomfort, and connect with deep, shared memories.
Even before the destruction of the second Temple, Yeshua mourned over the city of Jerusalem.
Truly, I say to you, all these things will come upon this generation. O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! See, your house is left to you desolate. For I tell you, you will not see me again, until you say, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.”
(Matthew 23:36-39 ESV)
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: Why does Tisha b’Av focus so much on communal mourning?
Answer: Tisha b’Av draws on a long history of collective loss, such as the destruction of the temples and other major tragedies. Honoring this through communal rituals helps link everyone together in remembering and reflecting on what was lost, and what communities hope to rebuild in spirit and reality.
Question: Are all Jews required to fast on Tisha b’Av?
Answer: There is no Biblical command to fast on this day. However, by tradition Jewish law requires healthy adults to fast, but children, the sick, pregnant women, and nursing mothers are generally exempt for health reasons. Many rabbis encourage people to ask their rabbi or doctor about fasting if they have special medical needs.
Question: Besides fasting, how else do people observe Tisha b’Av?
Answer: Besides fasting, many join synagogue services, read the Book of Lamentations, attend talks about the day’s themes, or take quiet time for personal reflection. Giving to charity or studying texts related to hope and healing is also common. Some people also reach out to like-minded family and friends to talk about resilience and support each other through tough times.
Additional Resources
Lamentations: Faith in a Turbulent World by Yael Ziegler
Yad L’Churban: Insights on Kinnos – Essays on Tisha B’Av by Yaakov David Kibel
Zechariah: A Commentary on His Visions & Prophecies by David Baron