What Tisha B'Av Means in Israel
Tisha B'Av, the ninth day of the Hebrew month of Av, is the saddest date in the Jewish calendar. It is a day of mourning and fasting that commemorates the destruction of both the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem, along with a series of other catastrophes traditionally associated with the same date in Jewish history. In Israel, where the Temple stood and where the day's central imagery is rooted, Tisha B'Av carries a particular weight: it is observed as a national day of mourning as much as a religious one.
The day is not a public holiday in the sense of a festive occasion. Rather, it is a solemn occasion on which many businesses and places of entertainment close or curtail their activity, and much of public life slows down.
Origins and Historical Background
Tisha B'Av commemorates the destruction of the First Temple by the Babylonians and the Second Temple by the Romans, both of which are traditionally dated to the ninth of Av. Over the centuries, other calamities were linked to the same date, including the expulsion of Jews from England and from Spain and the outbreak of the First Crusade. The day therefore accumulated layers of mourning that go well beyond the Temples themselves.
Because the Temple stood in Jerusalem and because the fast is bound up with the loss of Jewish sovereignty and the exiles that followed, Tisha B'Av has always had a strong connection to the Land of Israel. In the modern State of Israel, that connection is expressed both in religious observance and in the way the day is woven into the national calendar.
How the Day Is Observed
Tisha B'Av is a full fast day, lasting roughly twenty-five hours, from sunset to nightfall the following day. It is one of only two full fasts in the Jewish year (the other being Yom Kippur). The observance includes several traditional restrictions beyond eating and drinking, such as refraining from bathing, wearing leather shoes, and marital relations. These practices are observed by religious Jews and, to varying degrees, by many traditional and secular Israelis as well.
The day is marked by several distinctive customs:
- Reading of Lamentations (Eicha): The biblical book of Lamentations is chanted in synagogues on the evening that begins the fast, traditionally in a mournful melody.
- Kinot: Poetic laments known as kinot are recited, particularly on the morning of the fast. These poems mourn the destruction of the Temple and other tragedies in Jewish history.
- Sitting low: Many mourners sit on low stools or on the floor during the reading of Lamentations, following the customs of a house of mourning.
- Dimmed lights: Synagogues are often dimly lit during the evening service to reinforce the somber mood.
- No greetings: It is customary not to exchange greetings of "shalom" or other cheerful pleasantries on Tisha B'Av.
Food and Drink
Because Tisha B'Av is a full fast, no food or drink is consumed from sunset to nightfall. The meal eaten before the fast begins (the "se'udah mafseket") is traditionally a simple one, often consisting of bread, water, and a hard-boiled egg or lentils — foods associated with mourning. Many people eat this meal sitting on the floor or on a low stool, and some eat it alone rather than in a group, to emphasize the sorrow of the occasion.
After the fast ends, there is no festive meal prescribed by tradition; people simply break their fast, often with light foods. In Israel, many restaurants and cafes that close for the day reopen after nightfall.
Religious and Civic Observances
In Israel, Tisha B'Av is observed both religiously and civically. Synagogues across the country hold services for the evening and morning of the fast, with the reading of Lamentations and kinot. In Jerusalem, many people attend services at the Western Wall, the last remnant of the Temple courtyard, which is a focal point of mourning on the day.
Beyond the synagogue, the day has a national dimension. Places of entertainment — cinemas, theaters, concert halls, and many restaurants — are closed or operate on a limited basis. Television and radio broadcasts are often altered or suspended, and some stations broadcast somber content or nothing at all. Public transportation may run on a reduced schedule in some areas, though this varies by locale.
The day is not a statutory public holiday in the same way as Independence Day or Yom Kippur, but its observance is widespread enough that it noticeably affects daily life. Many workplaces are closed or allow employees to take the day off, and schools are on summer vacation during the period in which Tisha B'Av usually falls.
Public Festivities
There are no public festivities on Tisha B'Av. The day is defined by mourning, and festive gatherings, celebrations, and entertainment are avoided. This is in keeping with the character of the day as a fast and a period of collective sorrow.
Regional Variations
Observance of Tisha B'Av in Israel is broadly consistent across the country, but there are some regional differences in emphasis:
- Jerusalem: As the site of the Temple, Jerusalem is the emotional center of the day. Many residents and visitors attend services at the Western Wall, and the city's religious character makes the observance particularly visible.
- Tel Aviv and other coastal cities: In more secular areas, the day is observed less uniformly. Some businesses remain open, and the atmosphere is quieter than usual but not entirely shut down.
- Religious neighborhoods and settlements: In communities with a strong religious character, the fast and its associated customs are observed more strictly, and public life comes closer to a standstill.
These variations reflect the broader spectrum of religious observance within Israeli society rather than any formal regional rules.
Significance in Israeli Life
Tisha B'Av occupies a unique place in the Israeli calendar: it is a day of mourning that is also, in a sense, a day of national memory. For religious Jews, it is a fast of profound religious meaning. For many secular Israelis, it is a day that recalls the destruction of the Temple and the long history of Jewish exile and tragedy, and it serves as a counterpoint to the national celebrations of Independence Day and Jerusalem Day. The day's somber tone, its focus on Jerusalem, and its widespread if uneven observance make it one of the most distinctive dates in the Israeli year.