This year, August and Av began on the same day, so Tisha B’Av (Ninth of Av) begins Monday night, August 8th and runs through Tuesday, August 9th. What is Tisha B’Av? It marks the day that, it is said, G-d has cursed for the Jews. Tradition has it that on the Ninth of Av:
- In 1313 BCE, the spies returned with the initial report of the difficulty of conquering Canaan, and so G-d required another 38 years of wandering in the desert before entering the Promised Land.
- In 423 BCE, the Babylonians destroyed the First Temple in Jerusalem.
- In 69 CE, the Romans destroyed the Second Temple in Jerusalem.
- In 133 CE, the Romans defeated and massacred the last group of Bar Kochba rebels.
- In 1290 CE, the Jews were expelled from England.
- In 1492, it was the day that all Jews were to have left Spain.
- In 1914, it was the day that World War I began… starting the long road to World War II and the Holocaust.
Generally a bad day all around for the Jews. Consequently, Tisha B’Av is one of the few fast days in the Hebrew calendar. This year’s fast begins at 8:03 pm on Monday night and continues until 8:40 pm on Tuesday, August 9th.
Services will be held locally at Kehilot Aish Kodesh, Congregation Bonai Shalom and the Chabad Center of Longmont. In addition, the Chabad Center will be screening “Paper Clips” at 9:15 pm Monday night (Ma’ariv and Eicha services begin at 8:30 pm).
Check the BJCF/BJN Community Calendar or the organization’s websites for details.