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How Tisha B’Av Teaches Us Free Love
It’s not just about fasting and mourning.
Many people are curious about why I’m fasting for 25 hours on a hot summer day, such as this one. So, as my stomach yearns for food and drink, I decided to take advantage of the opportunity and the rare clear-headedness to write a piece about Tisha B’av, the saddest day for Jews and what we can all learn from it.
Tisha B’Av Marks Many Disasters For Jews
Many disasters befell Jews on Tisha B’Av.
It is the day that God decided we would not enter the promised land for 40 more years after the spies decided to speak ill of the land.
It is the same day that the two Holy Temples in Jerusalem were captured and destroyed.
It is the day that Spain decided to banish all Jews from their land.
It is the day when King Edward I decided to expel all Jews from the Kingdom of England.
Those are only the notable ones. Many other disasters are mentioned if you google hard enough.
How Tisha B’Av Is Observed
Well, the notable thing is fasting for 25 hours. From Av 8th’s Sunset until Av 9th’s nightfall. But, there are some more traditions:
