Tisha B'Av

Origins and history

The observance traces back to five specific disasters recorded in the Mishnah. These include the return of the spies who caused despair, the destruction of Solomon's Temple by Babylonians in 587 BCE, and the fall of the Second Temple to Romans in 70 CE. Later history added more events to this date, such as the expulsion of Jews from England, France, and Spain, and the Holocaust. The day is considered the saddest in the Jewish calendar.

How it is kept

The fast lasts twenty-five hours, beginning at sunset and ending at nightfall the next day. Observers refrain from eating, drinking, washing, wearing leather shoes, and marital relations. In synagogues, the curtain covering the Torah ark is removed or covered in black. People sit on low stools or the floor during the pre-fast meal and read the Book of Lamentations. Lighting is dimmed, and some sleep without pillows to deepen the sense of mourning.

Related periods

The mourning begins with a period called the Three Weeks, starting on the Seventeenth of Tammuz. A more intense phase known as the Nine Days starts on the first of Av. Other related fast days include the Fast of Gedaliah, the Tenth of Tevet, and the Seventeenth of Tammuz. These dates collectively mark various sieges and breaches of Jerusalem's walls throughout history.

Modern significance

Today, the day serves as a focal point for remembering recent tragedies. Kinnot, or liturgical dirges, have been updated to include the Holocaust and the October 7 attacks. Some communities also use the day to mourn political events like the Gaza disengagement. Despite these additions, the core focus remains on the loss of the Temples and the enduring memory of Jewish suffering across centuries.

How Tisha B'Av is kept

Observers begin fasting at sunset the evening before, abstaining from all food and drink for twenty-five hours. They avoid washing, applying oils, wearing leather shoes, and engaging in sexual relations. During the day, they read the Book of Lamentations and special dirges in synagogue. Many sit on low stools or the floor, dim the lights, and sleep without pillows. The pre-fast meal includes hard-boiled eggs dipped in ashes.

When and where

It falls on the ninth of Av in the Hebrew calendar, usually in July or August. If the ninth coincides with Shabbat, the fast is delayed to the tenth of Av to respect the Sabbath.

It is observed by Jewish communities worldwide. The mourning is particularly centered in Jerusalem, the site of the destroyed Temples. Significant historical connections exist in Spain, France, and Germany due to past expulsions.

What Tisha B'Av means

The day symbolizes collective grief and the longing for restoration. By denying physical pleasures, observers connect their personal discomfort to the historical pain of exile and destruction. The removal of the ark curtain represents the desolation of the sanctuary. Sitting on the floor mirrors the customs of immediate mourning after a death.

Days Tisha B'Av is marked

Tisha B'Av dates: 2026, 2027, 2028

This date follows the moon or a local calendar and can move by a day, so check with a local source nearer the time.

Questions people ask about Tisha B'Av

See also

Good FridayA solemn Christian holy day commemorating the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ.Holy WeekThe solemn seven days leading to Easter, recalling the final week and Passion of JesusYom KippurThe holiest day in Judaism, dedicated to fasting, prayer and atonementSukkotA seven-day autumn Jewish festival of temporary booths, harvest prayers and hospitality

Good reading and sources

• Encyclopaedia BritannicaArticle

• Tisha B'Av on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos and video
• Wikidata recordOpen data

It may contain mistakes. Traditions differ from one family, village and community to the next, and the people who keep them know them best. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-05.