Why the saddest day in the Jewish calendar is a magnet for historical tragedy

Cultures · Published 30 September 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Tisha B'Av is a 25-hour fast day mourning the destruction of Jerusalem's two ancient temples. Over centuries, this date has become a focal point for collective Jewish grief, drawing in memories of expulsions, massacres, and modern catastrophes. It is a day defined by intense restriction, somber liturgy, and deep, communal reflection.

Tisha B'Av, or the Ninth of Av, is the most solemn fast day in Rabbinic Judaism. While it centers on the loss of Solomon’s Temple to the Neo-Babylonians in 587 BCE and the Second Temple to the Romans in 70 CE, the day has expanded to encapsulate a broader history of Jewish suffering. According to the Mishnah, the date is considered inherently tragic, linked to the Israelites' despair after the Twelve Spies returned from Canaan. This theme of misfortune has persisted, with the day now serving as a vessel for remembering the Bar Kokhba revolt, medieval crusades, the Holocaust, and recent events like the October 7 attacks.

The observance is physically and spiritually demanding, mirroring the intensity of Yom Kippur. For over 25 hours, participants abstain from eating, drinking, and other pleasurable activities. Customs include sitting on low stools, refraining from traditional Torah study—except for distressing texts like the Book of Lamentations—and dimming synagogue lights to read kinnot, or liturgical dirges. These poems, written by figures such as Eleazar beRabbi Qallir and Judah Halevi, provide a poetic framework for processing historical trauma. In modern times, new kinnot have been composed to address contemporary events, including the 1941 Holocaust orders and the 1994 AMIA bombing.

The integration of modern events into Tisha B'Av is not without debate. While some communities have incorporated commemorations for the 2005 Israeli disengagement from Gaza, others, such as Chaim Navon and Shlomo Aviner, have argued against this, citing concerns about political division. Despite these internal disagreements, the day remains a powerful mechanism for Jewish continuity. By linking ancient temple destruction to modern crises, the tradition ensures that the weight of history is felt collectively, transforming a specific date into a recurring, living experience of remembrance.

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