Tisha B’Av

We invite you to join us in our beautiful Chapel for our Tisha B’Av meditative service:

Wednesday, July 26
7:00 PM: Tisha B’Av Service and Reading of Eicha (The Book of Lamentations) – Temple Beth Sholom Chapel

Tisha B’Av is an annual fast day in Judaism, on which a number of disasters in Jewish history occurred, primarily the destruction of both Solomon’s Temple by the Neo-Babylonian Empire and the Second Temple by the Roman Empire 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 destined for tragedy.

Tisha B’Av, observed on the 9th (tisha) of the Hebrew month of Av. Liberal Judaism never has assigned a central religious role to the ancient Temple, so mourning the destruction of the Temple may not be particularly meaningful to liberal Jews. In modern times, many Jews understand Tisha B’Av as a day to remember many tragedies that have befallen the Jewish people throughout history, and to reflect on the suffering that still occurs in our world. The Book of Lamentations is chanted to a beautiful and haunting melody. It is a time of deep contemplation and meditation, especially as we prepare to enter the month of Elul which immediately proceeds the upcoming High Holy Days.

Tisha B’Av itself is a day of intense mourning, whose practice mirrors that of Yom Kippur in many respects. It is a day of fasting, on which one also is to refrain from washing, sexual activity, using perfume and other such ointments, and wearing leather. The Book of Lamentations (Megillat Eicha) and other dirges (kinot) are read in the synagogue.

Find prayer resources for Tisha B’Av services here.
For more about Tisha B’Av from a Reform perspective, please click HERE.

Rabbi’s Corner: Burning Words of History: Sweden, Book Burning, & Tisha B’Av