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The 9th
of Av
Tish B’Av translates into English as the 9th of Av. In Jewish history, the day The 9th of Av has some particular significances, which we will discuss briefly below. The 9th of Av ends a three week period of semi-mourning that begins on the fast of Tammuz (the fasting began three weeks before). The 9th of Av is the peak of the mourning period, in which tradition prevents the Jews from shaving, eating and “entertainment” (resembling Yom Kipper to some extent). There are reasons for this period of mourning, as it commemorates some poignant events that occurred in Jewish history. When Titus destroyed the Temple in 70 A.D., it was on the 9th day of the month of Av. The 9th of Av has been recognized ever since as a day of mourning by the Jewish people. Other events also happened on the 9th of Av, including: -The destruction of the first Temple happened in 421 B.C. by the Romans, who were under Titus. -The beginning of the Jewish exile from Palestine. -In 132 A.D., the Bar Kochba revolt was crushed. Betar was destroyed and over 100,000 people were killed. -In 133 A.D., Turnus Rufus ploughed the site of where the Temple was located. Romans built the pagan city of Aelia Capitolina on the site of Jerusalem. -In 1095, the First Crusade was declared by Pope Urban II. In the first month of the Crusades, 10,000 Jews were killed. The Crusades continued to bring death and destruction to thousands of Jews. And still there are numerous accounts of other things that happened on this fateful day in Jewish history. The 9th of Av usually happens during July or August on our calendar. While researching for this report, I found the following information: “List of Dates Tisha B’Av [the 9th of Av] will occur on the following days of the American calendar: -July 18, 2002 (Jewish year 5762) -August 7, 2003 (Jewish year 5763) -July 27, 2004 (Jewish year 5764) -August 14, 2005 (Jewish year 5765)." Some people say that these things happening on the same day [the 9th of Av] are completely coincidental. I think that God, in His infinite wisdom, planned these events for a reason, even if we do not know nor understand the reason now.
© 2003 by Terra A. Mandrell ~ Please do not reprint or duplicate without permission. |
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