Tisha B’Av — the 9th day of the Hebrew month of Av — is one of the most solemn and mournful observances in the Jewish calendar. It is a day marked by fasting, introspection, and commemoration, dedicated to remembering a series of catastrophic events that have profoundly shaped Jewish history and identity.
The most significant of these tragedies are the destruction of the First Temple by the Babylonians in 586 BCE and the destruction of the Second Temple by the Romans in 70 CE. These losses not only represented the physical devastation of sacred space but also the beginning of centuries of dispersion, exile, and persecution.
Over time, Tisha B’Av has come to symbolize the collective sorrow of the Jewish people. It encompasses the memory of other historical traumas — including the expulsions from Spain in 1492, the pogroms in Eastern Europe, and more recent catastrophes. On this day, synagogues are darkened, the Book of Lamentations (Eicha) is read, and communities refrain from joyful activities.
But Tisha B’Av is not only about remembrance. It also calls for ethical reflection and personal responsibility. It invites each of us to examine how we contribute to the moral and social fabric of our communities — challenging us to choose dialogue over division, empathy over indifference, and justice over complacency.
As we observe this day of mourning, we are reminded of the resilience of Jewish life and the enduring pursuit of peace, dignity, and human connection.
Artwork: Francesco Hayez, “The Destruction of the Temple of Jerusalem” (1867). Oil on canvas.
