A Day of Mourning

Tisha B’Av, the 9th day of the month of Av (August 2-3, 2025), is the saddest day on the Jewish calendar, on which we fast, deprive ourselves and pray. It is the culmination of the Three Weeks, a period of time during which we mark the destruction of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem.

Both Holy Temples in Jerusalem were destroyed on this date. The First Temple was burned by the Babylonians in 423 BCE, and the Second Temple fell to the Romans in 69 CE, unleashing a period of suffering from which our nation has never fully recovered.

The fast begins at sunset of the 8th of Av and concludes at nightfall the following night. During this time, we do not

• eat or drink

• wear leather footwear

• bathe or wash ourselves (washing only until the knuckle when mandated by halachah)

• apply ointments or creams

• engage in marital relations or any form of intimacy

• sit on a normal-height chair until chatzot (the time when the sun has reached its apex)

• study Torah (except for the “sad” parts that deal with the destruction of the Temples, etc.)

• send gifts, or even greet one another (you may respond to greetings)

• engage in outings, trips or similar pleasurable activities

• wear fine, festive clothing

• 
  

Even as we mourn, there is an element of joy and comfort. Indeed, the reading of Eichah concludes with the verse “Restore us to You, O L‑rd, that we may be restored! Renew our days as of old.” 

It is by no accident that Scripture refers to this day as a mo’ed, a holiday, and Tachanun (prayer of repentance) is not said today. May the time soon come when we look back with the clarity of hindsight to see how all our suffering was but a prelude to happiness and goodness, with the coming of Moshiach. Amen!

Shabbat Shalom!

Candle lighting time: Friday, 7:53 PM

Fast begins: Saturday, 8:10 PM. The fast ends: Sunday, 8:40 PM.

Please note the above times are for NYC.