Tisha B’Av (the ninth day of the Hebrew month of Av) begins at sunset on Saturday, July 25, 2015, and continues until the evening of July 26th.
What is Tisha B’Av?
Tisha B’Av is the major day of communal mourning. First and foremost Tisha B’Av commemorates the destruction of both the first and second temples in Jerusalem (586 B.C.E, and 70 C.E respectively), but many other travesties have occured on the same date.
How is Tisha B’Av observed?
On Tisha B’av Eicha (the book of Lamentations) is read with a unique nusah, a special melody.
As a sign of mourning it is customary to fast, refrain from bathing, wearing leather shoes, and having sexual relations.
To read more about Tisha B’av rituals and practices click here.
