Tisha B'Av — The Ninth of Av
תשעה באב
9 Av • Day of Mourning & Fasting
Tisha B'Av (the Ninth of Av) is the saddest day on the Jewish calendar — a day of mourning, fasting, and reflection. It commemorates the destruction of both the First Temple (586 BCE) and the Second Temple (70 CE), as well as numerous other tragedies that befell the Jewish people.
Upcoming Tisha B'Av
Following Year (5787): ט׳ באב 5787 • Thursday, August 12, 2027
What Is Tisha B'Av?
Tisha B'Av is observed across the Jewish world, particularly in Orthodox and Conservative communities. The fast is obligatory for all Jewish adults (with exemptions for pregnant and nursing women, the sick, and others for whom fasting poses health risks).
When Is Tisha B'Av?
Tisha B'Av falls on the 9th of Av — typically in July or August. The fast begins at sunset on the 8th of Av and lasts approximately 25 hours until nightfall on the 9th. If the 9th falls on Shabbat, the fast is postponed to Sunday (10 Av). The Three Weeks of mourning begin on the 17th of Tammuz, intensifying during the Nine Days leading up to Tisha B'Av.
Why Do We Observe Tisha B'Av?
The Talmud lists five major calamities that occurred on the 9th of Av: (1) The spies returned with a negative report about the Land of Israel; (2) The First Temple was destroyed; (3) The Second Temple was destroyed; (4) The city of Beitar fell; (5) The Temple Mount was plowed over. Throughout history, additional tragedies coincided with this date, including the expulsion of Jews from England (1290) and Spain (1492).
How Is Tisha B'Av Observed?
Five restrictions apply on Tisha B'Av (similar to Yom Kippur): (1) No eating or drinking; (2) No bathing or washing; (3) No applying lotions or creams; (4) No wearing leather shoes; (5) No marital relations. Additional customs include sitting on low chairs until midday, reading the Book of Eicha (Lamentations), reciting kinot (elegies), and refraining from Torah study except for mourning-related texts.
Key Events & Observances
First Temple Destroyed
586 BCE — Babylonians under Nebuchadnezzar destroyed Solomon's Temple
Second Temple Destroyed
70 CE — Romans under Titus destroyed the Second Temple in Jerusalem
Fall of Beitar
135 CE — The last stronghold of the Bar Kochba revolt was crushed
Spanish Expulsion
1492 — Jews expelled from Spain during the Inquisition
Book of Eicha
The scroll of Lamentations, attributed to the prophet Jeremiah, is read
Kinot (Elegies)
Liturgical poems mourning the destruction and exile through the ages