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Mark your calendars for August 12, as we observe the sacred occasion of Tisha B’Av, one of the most significant dates in the Jewish calendar! Known as the Ninth day of Av in the Hebrew calendar, Tisha B'Av is steeped in rich history. It marks the destruction of both the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem, a key event in Jewish history that has shaped the course of the religion. Despite its solemn nature, Tisha B’Av is also a testament to the resilience, hope, and the indomitable spirit of the Jewish people. So join us in acknowledging this important day, honoring the past, and envisioning a future filled with peace.
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>587 BC</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Destruction of the First Temple</div><div class='timeline-text'>Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon destroyed the First Temple in Jerusalem, marking the beginning of the Jewish people's Babylonian Exile.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>70 AD</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Destruction of the Second Temple</div><div class='timeline-text'>The Romans sacked Jerusalem and destroyed the Second Temple, marking a significant loss for the Jewish community.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>135 AD</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Bar Kokhba revolt</div><div class='timeline-text'>End of the Bar Kokhba revolt against the Roman Empire, leading to a significant loss of life and destruction for the Jewish community.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1096 AD</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>First Crusade Commences</div><div class='timeline-text'>The First Crusade began, resulting in wide-scale persecutions and kill-offs of Jews throughout Europe.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1290 AD</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Expulsion from England</div><div class='timeline-text'>King Edward I issued an edict expelling all Jews from England, a devastating event that occured on Tisha B'Av. </div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1492 AD</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Spanish Expulsion</div><div class='timeline-text'>Tisha B’Av marked the final day of the Alhambra Decree that ordered the expulsion of Jews from Spain.</div></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Engage in reflective study</h3><p class='facts-text'>Set aside some time on Tisha B’Av to study Jewish history. Focus your research on key tragic events, the resilience of the Jewish people across centuries, and their enduring hope and love for Jerusalem. This will provide much-needed context and understanding of the spiritual significance of the day.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Observe a moment of silence</h3><p class='facts-text'>At sunset, as Tisha B'Av begins, observe a moment of silence in respect for the numerous tragedies that befell the Jewish people. Let the tranquility help you contemplate and connect with the sorrow, strength, and hope represented by the day.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Attend a synagogue service</h3><p class='facts-text'>Many synagogues host special services for Tisha B’Av, often including the reading of Eicha (the Book of Lamentations) and kinnot (elegies). Participating in these communal activities can provide a sense of unity and shared remembrance.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Watch educational movies or documentaries</h3><p class='facts-text'>Consider watching historical documentaries or films that deal with key events marking Tisha B'Av. It'll allow for a deeper comprehension of the lasting impact of these historic moments and the enduring spirit of the Jewish people.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Start a Tisha B’Av journal</h3><p class='facts-text'>Begin a tradition of penning down your thoughts, feelings, and reflections on Tisha B’Av in a journal. This can become a personal annual ritual that allows you to express and connect with the intensity and emotions of the day in a private space.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It's a Day for Reflection and Learning</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Tisha B'Av offers a unique opportunity to engage in study and reflection. Not only does it give us a greater understanding of Jewish history and its key tragic events, but it also emphasizes the resilience and enduring hope of the Jewish people throughout centuries.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Fosters Unity and Shared Remembrance</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>With special synagogue services including readings of Eicha (Book of Lamentations) and kinnot (elegies), Tisha B’Av brings communities together for shared remembrance. This fosters a sense of unity and collective strength among the Jewish people.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Enables Personal Spiritual Expression</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Whether it's through maintaining a Tisha B’Av journal or observing a moment of silence, this day allows individuals to express their personal spiritual reactions to the sorrows, strength, and hope associated with Tisha B’Av. This can be a deeply profound and emotional experience.</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Tisha B'Av is Considered One of the Saddest Holidays</h3><p class='facts-content'>In Judaism, Tisha B'Av is considered to be one of the saddest days of the year, owing to the many tragedies that befell the Jewish people on this date.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Tisha B'Av Introduces the Asseret Yemei Teshuva</h3><p class='facts-content'>Tradition holds that the period of intense self examination and repentance starts after Tisha B’Av, leading up to the High Holy Days of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>The Book of Lamentations is Read on Tisha B'Av</h3><p class='facts-content'>The Book of Lamentations, also known as Eicha, is traditionally read in synagogues on Tisha B'Av. The book describes the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>The Talmud Contains Special Provisions for Tisha B'Av </h3><p class='facts-content'>The Talmud — the central text of Rabbinic Judaism — contains special provisions for observing Tisha B'Av, including prohibitions on certain activities such as eating, drinking, bathing and wearing leather shoes.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>The Fast Lasts About 25 Hours</h3><p class='facts-content'>For those observing the full provisions of Tisha B'Av, the fast begins at sunset and lasts until the appearance of three stars in the sky on the following night - typically lasting about 25 hours.</p></div></div>
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