Tisha B’Av, an annual fast day in Judaism, is named for the ninth day (Tisha) of the month of Av in the Hebrew calendar.
Beginning at sundown tonight through sundown tomorrow, observant Jews all over the world will fast and mourn the destruction of the First and Second Temples that occurred on the same day – the 9th of Av – approximately 656 years apart.
These two events were so tragic that the ancient rabbis declared the anniversary of the Temples’ destruction a day of mourning. This is the origin of Tisha B’Av.
Five calamities of Tisha B’Av:
- 586 BC, the first temple, Solomon’s Temple, is destroyed beginning the Babylonian Captivity
- 70 AD, the second temple, Herod’s Temple, is destroyed scattering the Jews to the four corners of the earth
- 135 AD, the Kochba Revolt, over 100,000 Jews are slaughtered rebelling against the Roman Empire
- 1290 AD, the Jews were expelled from England
- 1492 AD, the Inquisition began in Spain
Zechariah 7:3 “…should I weep in the fifth month and fast as I have done for so many tears?“
Click HERE to read more about Tisha B’Av.
Click HERE for last year’s study from the Temple Institute.
