Tisha B’Av Service
Tisha B’Av is an annual fast day in Judaism, named for the ninth day (Tisha) of the month of Av in the Hebrew calendar. The fast commemorates the destruction of both the First Temple and Second Temple in Jerusalem, which occurred about 655 years apart, but on the same Hebrew calendar date.
Although primarily meant to commemorate the destruction of the Temples, it is also considered appropriate to commemorate other Jewish tragedies that occurred on this day, most notably the expulsion of the Jews from Spain in 1492, one of the concluding events of the Iberian Reconquista. Accordingly, the day has been called the “saddest day in Jewish history”.
This year Tisha B’Av begins in the evening of Monday July 15, and ends on Tuesday evening (July 16). The Book of Lamentations is traditionally read, followed by the kinnot, a series of liturgical lamentations. In many communities it is also customary to read the Book of Job.
Beth Chayim Chadashim will host a special Tisha B’Av service in collaboration with IKAR, Shtibl Minyan and Temple Emanuel on Monday, July 15. A half-hour of learning begins at 7:30 pm, followed by Ma’ariv Service/Chanting of Eicha (Lamentations) at 8:15 pm. Scholars and teachers from the collective communities will offer short teachings and reflections during the evening.
