#19 Tisha B’Av

#19 Tish’a b’Av, 9th of Av

PLEASE NOTE: THIS LESSON IS AGE APPROPRIATE FOR STUDENTS 11 AND OLDER

In this lesson you will learn about Tish’a b’Av (the 9 day of the month of Av) which typically falls in August (late summer). (Hebrew: תשעה באב‎ or ט׳ באב) is an annual fast day in Judaism which commemorates the anniversary of a number of disasters in Jewish history, primarily the destruction of both the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem. Tisha B’Av is regarded as the saddest day in the Jewish calendar and it is thus believed to be a day which is many sad events happened in the history of the Jewish People. 

 

#1 WATCH: The Story of the 12 Spies in the Torah

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#2 STUDY

According to tradition, five specific events occurred on the ninth of Av that warrant fasting:

  1. The twelve spies sent by Moses to observe the land of Canaan returned from their mission. Only two of the spies, Joshua and Caleb, brought a positive report, while the others spoke disparagingly about the land. The majority report caused the Children of Israel to cry, panic and despair of ever entering the “Promised Land“. For this, they were punished that their generation would not enter the land. Because of the Israelites’ lack of faith, the Eternal One decreed that for all generations this date would become one of crying and misfortune for their descendants. (See Numbers 13; Numbers 14).
  2. The First Temple built by King Solomon and the Kingdom of Judah was destroyed by the Babylonians led by Nebuchadnezzar in 587 BCE (Anno Mundi [AM] 3175) after a two-year siege and the Judaeans were sent into theBabylonian exile. According to the Talmud in tractate Ta’anit, the destruction of the First Temple began on the Ninth of Av and the Temple continued to burn throughout the Tenth of Av.
  3. The Second Temple built by Ezra and Nehemiah was destroyed by the Romans in August 70 CE (AM 3830), scattering the people of Judea and commencing the Jewish exile from the Holy Land.
  4. The Romans crushed Bar Kokhba’s revolt and destroyed the city of Betar, killing over 500,000 Jewish civilians (approximately 580,000) on July 8, 135 CE (Av 9, AM 3892).
  5. Following the Bar Kokhba revolt, Roman commander Turnus Rufus plowed the site of the Temple and the surrounding area, in 135 CE.

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#3 WATCH: The Destruction of Solomon’s Temple

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#4 STUDY: Other tragedies on the 9th of Av

  • The Jews were expelled from Spain on July 31, 1492 (Av 7, AM 5252).
  • Germany entered World War I on August 1–2, 1914 (Av 9-10, AM 5674), which caused massive upheaval in European Jewry and whose aftermath led to the Holocaust.
  • On August 2, 1941 (Av 9, AM 5701), SS commander Heinrich Himmler formally received approval from the Nazi Party for “The Final Solution.” As a result, the Holocaust began during which almost one third of the world’s Jewish population perished.
  • On July 23, 1942 (Av 9, AM 5702), began the mass deportation of Jews from the Warsaw Ghetto, en route to Treblinka.
  • Most religious communities use Tisha B’Av to mourn the 6,000,000 Jews who perished in the Holocaust, (in addition to, or instead of, the secular Holocaust Memorial Days.)

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#5 WATCH: 

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#6: Customs on Tish’a b’Av

Tisha B’Av bears a similar stringent nature to that of Yom Kippur. In addition to the length of the fast which lasts about 25 hours, beginning at sunset on the eve of Tisha B’Av and ends at nightfall the following day, Tisha B’Av also shares the following five prohibitions:

  1. No eating or drinking;
  2. No washing or bathing;
  3. No application of creams or oils;
  4. No wearing of (leather) shoes;
  5. No marital relations.

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# 7 Review and Response

1. What happened during the biblical era on Tish’a b’Av? (name 3 events)
2. What events WWII occurred on the 9th of Av?
3. Do you think it is a co-incidence that these events occurred on this date?
4. What are the five customs/prohibitions that some Jews observe on the 9th of Av?

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Need some help? We’re here for you. At any time, if you have any questions, please contact one of our teachers so we can help you. Also, at the end of the session, remember to review your responses in your Tamid Workbook so you can get credit for this lesson. Behatzlacha (Hebrew for good luck)! You can reach Sarah at (646)360-0689 or [email protected]