At the heart of the Jewish calendar lies a somber and profoundly significant annual observance: Tisha B'Av, often referred to as the Ninth of Av. This fasting day transcends mere abstention from food and drink; it is a meticulously observed day of national mourning, commemorating a long litany of catastrophic events that have befallen the Jewish people throughout history, ultimately shaping their collective consciousness and journey.

Foremost among these profound tragedies are the destructions of the two Holy Temples, pivotal sanctuaries that stood in Jerusalem and served as the spiritual and communal epicenters of Jewish life. The first, the magnificent Temple of Solomon, also known as the First Temple, met its cataclysmic end at the hands of the Neo-Babylonian Empire under King Nebuchadnezzar II in 586 BCE. This brutal conquest not only razed the sacred edifice but also initiated the harrowing Babylonian exile, dispersing a significant portion of the Jewish population and profoundly altering the trajectory of Jewish worship and national identity.

Centuries later, the second Temple, rebuilt after the return from Babylonian exile, suffered a similarly devastating fate. In 70 CE, during the culmination of the Great Jewish Revolt, the formidable Roman Empire, led by General (later Emperor) Titus, systematically besieged and ultimately destroyed the Second Temple in Jerusalem. This calamitous event, marked by immense loss of life and the obliteration of the Jewish spiritual heartland, led to the extended Roman-Jewish War, the subsequent subjugation of Judea, and the further dispersal of the Jewish people across the globe, initiating centuries of diaspora.

More Than Just Temples: A Day of Cumulative Calamity

While the destruction of the Temples forms the bedrock of Tisha B'Av's observance, this day has tragically accumulated numerous other historical disasters, each adding another layer to the collective grief. These include:

• The decree against the generation of the Exodus, condemning them to wander in the desert for 40 years rather than entering the Land of Israel, due to the sin of the spies (Numbers 13-14). This original sin, according to tradition, occurred on the Ninth of Av.
• The fall of Betar in 135 CE, the last stronghold of the Bar Kokhba revolt against the Romans, leading to the brutal suppression of Jewish resistance and the subsequent expulsion of Jews from Jerusalem.
• The start of the First Crusade in 1096, which unleashed horrific massacres of Jewish communities across Europe.
• The expulsion of Jews from England in 1290.
• The infamous Alhambra Decree of 1492, which compelled the expulsion of all Jews from Spain, forcing hundreds of thousands to abandon their homes and heritage or convert under duress.
• The outbreak of World War I in 1914, which many see as a precursor to the horrors of the 20th century, including the Holocaust, though the Holocaust itself did not begin on this date.

Tisha B'Av, therefore, serves as a poignant annual reminder of these collective traumas, observed with a deep sense of introspection and a yearning for redemption. Observers typically fast for a full 25 hours, sit on low stools, refrain from joyful activities, and recite the Book of Lamentations (Eichah) and sorrowful elegies known as Kinnot, reflecting on past suffering and praying for a brighter future.

Frequently Asked Questions About Tisha B'Av

What is Tisha B'Av?

Tisha B'Av is an annual day of mourning and fasting in Judaism, commemorating numerous tragedies throughout Jewish history, most notably the destruction of both the First and Second Holy Temples in Jerusalem.

Why is Tisha B'Av considered the saddest day in the Jewish calendar?

It is considered the saddest day because it marks a confluence of historical calamities, from the destruction of the Temples to expulsions and persecutions, collectively representing periods of profound loss, exile, and suffering for the Jewish people.

How is Tisha B'Av observed?

Observance involves a 25-hour fast from sunset to nightfall the following day, refraining from bathing, anointing, wearing leather shoes, and marital relations. It also includes sitting on low stools or the floor, and reciting mournful prayers and elegies (Kinnot).

When did the First Temple get destroyed?

The First Temple, also known as the Temple of Solomon, was destroyed by the Neo-Babylonian Empire under King Nebuchadnezzar II in 586 BCE.

When was the Second Temple destroyed?

The Second Temple was destroyed by the Roman Empire, led by General Titus, in 70 CE, following the Great Jewish Revolt.