Tisha B'Av

Tisha B'Av is the greatest day of fasting and mourning in the Hebrew calendar. On this day, the First Temple was destroyed by Nebuzaradan and the Babylonians (in 586 BCE), and the Second Temple by Titus and the Romans (in 70 CE). According to tradition, on this day the decree was also issued that the wilderness generation would not enter the Land of Israel, and Betar fell.

Tisha B'Av is a day of fasting, prayer, and mourning. One sits on the ground, reads the Book of Lamentations, and recites kinot. The day symbolizes the height of exile and destruction, but also carries hope — the Sages said the Messiah was born on Tisha B'Av, and that the day of calamity will be transformed into a day of joy.

• Complete fast — from candle-lighting in the evening until nightfall.
• Prohibitions — eating and drinking, washing, anointing, wearing leather shoes, and marital relations (as on Yom Kippur).
• Sitting on the ground — sitting low, as a sign of mourning.
• Reading the Book of Lamentations and reciting kinot (elegies).
• No festive garments and no Kiddush.

Tisha B'Av is a rabbinic fast day (though its origin is in the Prophets), and five prohibitions apply as on Yom Kippur. One sits on the ground or on a low seat, and does not wear leather shoes. Tachanun is not recited (as it is a moed), and Kiddush is not recited. The Maariv service is a weekday prayer, and the Book of Lamentations is read. In the morning, the Torah reading and haftarah are about destruction, and kinot are recited.

Tisha B'Av prayers are prayers of mourning. In the evening, the Book of Lamentations is read. In the morning, the Torah reading is from the portion of Acharei Mot, and the haftarah from Jeremiah. Kinot — elegies on the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple — are recited. The parochet is not removed from the holy ark, and tefillin are not worn in the morning (but at Minchah).