Ray of Sunshine. art

Today is Tish’a be’Av which is a national day of mourning and repentance. It is the 9th day of the month of Av and a lot of tragic things have occurred on this day in Jewish history. The day is memorialized with fasting and the reading of Lamentations.

The Events

1. This first occurrence was when the spies returned from the promise land with false reports that scared the Israelites and caused them to doubt that God would take care of them so they could enter the promise land. because of this God decreed them to wander in the wilderness for 40 more years.
2. Both temples in Jerusalem was destroyed on this day. The first being by the Babylonians and the second by the Romans during the disciples’ days.
3. In 1914, with the declaration of war between Germany and Russia, Russia declared war on the Jewish people which resulted in mass genocide.
4. In 1942, the deportations of the Warsaw Ghetto to the concentration camp begin.

Observance

1. Fasting is common on this day. For devout Jews there are many other customs that take place.
2. The studying of the Torah is limited to the “sad parts.” Lamentations is often read during the synagogue service or read during the evening.
3. Focus on mourning and repentance.

As we can see from the events above, today is a sad day and not one for celebration. It is a reminder that we must repent and keep our faith in God as He is the only one that can save us. We rest our hope in the anticipation of Yeshua’s return.

How are you memorializing this day?