Tish B'Av (9th of Av)

The Temple That Cannot Be Destroyed

Jewish Holidays | Judah's Glory

The feast of Tish Ba Av means the '9th of Av' or the 9th day of the month Av. It is perhaps the most solemn of all the Feasts on the jewish calendar, even more somber than the fasting days of Yom Kippur, for it commemorates most notably the destruction of the first and second Temple by the enemies of the Jews, Antiochus Epiphanes at the start of the Babylonian exile and the Roman Armies in 70ad. The day and the weeks before are used to commemorate the great suffering of the Jews throughout History with a focus on the Destruction of the Temple for which it is best known, although Tish B'av has been known as a feast which has often been marked by other catastrophic events such as:

The turning away of the Children of Israel from entering Canaan for fear of the Anakim,

The Destruction of the First Temple

The Destruction of the Temple shortly after Christ's Death in 70ad

The Beginning of WWI

Multiple 'aktions' in the Shoah, as the Nazis targeted specific days for 'special' or horrifically cruel persecutions, particularly Yom Kippur and Tish B'Av

The Observance of Tish B'Av

The Observance of Tish B'Av is considered among the most somber of the Jewish holidays, and certainly the one, which is most mournful. While some may immediately protest that Yom Kippur and Yom Shoah would deserve that attribution, it must be remembered that Yom Shoah has been observed only in the past 60 years, and Yom Kippur though somber is followed by celebration. There is nothing sadder though, to the Jewish nation than the remembrance of the most devastating persecution: the turning away of Canaan, the destruction of the First Temple and the destruction of the Second, long after the joyous and miraculous return from exile in Babylon. Some very strict orthodox Jews observe concurrently Holocaust remembrances on this day, the day which is used to remember the greatest sorrows of the History of the Jewish people, feeling that Yom Shoah, a recent historical addition while laudible does not have the same Biblical foundation, seeing it more as a national holiday and remembrance. Most now observe both.

The Fasts of Tish B'Av

While many in the United States and the Western world observe only the day, the 9th of Av, strict observances include four fasts, which attribute progressive meaning to the day. The fasts start with the 10th of Teret, followed by the 17th of Tammuz, which observe the beginning of events leading to the destruction, including the beginning and completion of the siege of the wall. The next fast, is the 3rd of Tishri, or the fast of Gedaliah, the governor over Judah at the time of the Babylonian captivity who cautioned the Jews to surrender and obey Babylonian authority, and who was afterwards killed. (Jeremiah 40; 2 Kings 25)

The formal fast of Tish B'Av actually begins in part 3 weeks prior to the observing of the feast day. During this period, not only food is an issue but more of a preparation in solemness for the seriousness of the observance takes hold: notably, parties and other forms of entertainment cease, and observants are given to prayer. Even the meal right before Tish B'Av is sparse and often consists of non-festive foods such as hardboiled eggs and plain bread. During the observance, additional 'fasts' are added: no new clothes are to be purchased, nor festive clothes worn. Washing is limited to hygiene considerations and no "textile" work: such as knitting, sewing or other needlework. ² Observants give themselves to prayer, and somber considerations/meditations and most observe shabbat rules of times and work prohibitions. The most conservative use this day to commemorate all the suffering of the Jews over history, and use this day as a Yom Shoah remembrance as well, considering the May observation as a secular national and modern holiday.

Joy, Messiah & the Celebration of Tish B'Av

Among the controversies surrounding the observance of Tish B'av is that for centuries it was considered the most solemn holy day in the Jewish calendar as the Jews for 2000 years were in exile. It centered around mourning over the destruction of the Temple and other sorrowful events before and after 70a.d. As the Jews after WWII and the Shoah returned to Israel, they re-entered the land, and some felt that the celebration of Tish B'Av should be altered because of the Jews established back in the land, working toward the rebuilding of the Temple. Part of the disagreement stems from those who have a more Zionist view, and Reform Jews, who see the reentry as a 'Messianic Age' without a literal advent of the Messiah. Conservatives still feel that complete restoration of the day can only come as a new Temple with Messiah entering in will take place. Some celebrate the day partly with mourning and partly with joy.

Jesus, Tish B'Av, and the Temple that Cannot be Destroyed

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See Tish B'Av & Jesus: A Temple Built Without Hands"

© 2006 elizabeth K. Best PhD; Judah's Glory: All Rights Reserved