QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS FOR Tish’ah B’Av

Why do Jews fast on Tish’ah B’Av?

Tish’ah B’Av, the ninth day of the Hebrew month of Av, is a day of mourning for the destruction of the First Temple in the year 586 B.C.E. by the Babylonians and of the Second Temple in the year 70 C.E. by the Romans. (According to tradition, both Temples were destroyed on the same date). Next to Yom Kippur (a Biblical holiday), Tish’ah B’Av (a post-Biblical holiday) is the most important day on the Jewish calendar. It marks the final day of a three week period of intense national mourning for the events that led to the loss of Jewish independence with the destruction of the holy shrines of Jewish life. Aside from these two major historical events, other happenings in Jewish history have been said to have occurred on the ninth of Av. These include the fall of Betar (the last Jewish stronghold during the Bar Kochbar rebellion against Rome) in 35 C.E. and the beginning of the expulsion of the Jews from Spain in 1492. The importance of Tish’ah B’Av as a fast day was emphasized in the Talmud (Ta’anit 30b), where the comment is made, “He who eats or drinks on the ninth day of Av must be considered as guilty as one who has eaten on Yom Kippur.” The fast of Tish’ah B’Av, like Yom Kippur, begins at sunset and ends the next evening with the appearance of the first three stars.

Why are the first nine days of Av considered a period of intense mourning?
Although the three weeks prior to Tish’ah B’Av are days of mourning, the nine days prior to the ninth of Av are observed with more intense mourning. The Mishna notes (Ta’anit 4:7) that in commemoration of the destruction of the Temple, during these nine days, one should not cut one’s hair or wash one’s clothes (except on Thursdays to honor the coming Shabbath). During these days of mourning, weddings and other festivities are not to be held.

Why do Jews sit in the synagogue barefooted on low benches on Tish’ah B’Av?

As stated above, Tish’ah B’Av is a day of mourning for the destruction of the Temples. Sitting on low benches and removing one’s shoes are signs of mourning, actions performed by mourners during the week of Shiv’ah.

Why are minor fasts not observed on the Sabbath?

Only the fast of Yom Kippur (on the tenth of Tishrei) is fixed by date in the Bible, and it must be observed on the date mentioned. According to most authorities, when other fast days fall on the Sabbath, they are postponed until Sunday, so as not to intrude on the joy of the Sabbath day. The sole exception is Ta’anit Esther, the Fast of Esther, which, if it falls on a Saturday, is moved back to Thursday. This is in accordance with the view of Maimonides, who said, “fasting must precede the celebration [Purim] (Yad Ta’anit 5:5)”To observe the fast on Friday would interfere with preparing for the Sabbath.

Why are three weeks each summer observed as a period of mourning?

On Tish’ah B’Av (the ninth day of Av), in the year 587 B.C.E., the First Temple in Jerusalem was destroyed. This was preceded by the breaching of the walls of Jerusalem three weeks earlier, on the seventeenth day of Tammuz (Shiva’ah Asar B’Tammuz). This three week period became a time of national mourning observed by fasting on both Shiv’ah Asar B’Tammuz and Tish’ah B’Av. During these three weeks, strict observance demands that music not be played, weddings not be held, personal grooming be curbed (no haircuts), and new clothing not be worn. When the Second Temple was built, these observances lost their importance, but after the Second Temple was destroyed in 70 C.E., they were revived.

Why is Shiv’ah Asar B’Tammuz observed as a fast day?

Shiv’ah Asar B’Tammuz, the seventeenth day of Tammuz (three weeks before Tish’ah B’Av), is observed as a fast day in the Jewish calendar to commemorate a catastrophic event in Jewish history. On that day, in the sixth century B.C.E. during the reign of Nebuchadnezzar of Babylonia, the walls eventually led to the destruction of the First Temple. As on most other fast days, fasting is from dawn until stars appear in the evening.

Why are meat and wine not served during the first nine days of Av?

Except on the Sabbath, wine and meat are not consumed during the first nine days of Av because this period has been designated in Jewish life as one of national mourning for the destruction of the Temples. Since meat and wine are traditionally served on festive occasions, they are banned during the Nine Days. Dairy foods are commonly eaten during this period.