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This Saturday night and Sunday is Tisha B’Av, an important fast day commemorating the destruction of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem and beginning of the Jewish exiles. Essentially this day represents the beginning of all the “yidishe tzoros” (Jewish problems...) throughout history. Ever since Hashem allowed His (our) Home to be destroyed we no longer felt His protection and love in such an obvious way (although they are certainly there as much as ever). Rather than being His obviously Chosen People who were the pride of all the nations in Temple days, we became the scapegoat of the nations, driven from land to land, persecuted and hated more often than not.
I know this “holiday” is not as popular or as well known as many others. Nevertheless, I want to encourage you to observe Tisha B’Av this year. The way to observe it is very simple: Refrain from eating and drinking for 25 hours, from 8:01 on Saturday night until 8:29 on Sunday night – that’s all there is to it! No need to attend services (although that’s an extra perk if you can make it) or listen to long drawn out sermons. Just stay home, relax, and get through the fast. It’s as simple as that. (These days when we’re all trying to lose a few pounds it wouldn’t do us harm to go a day without eating. I don’t mean you of course, you look great; I’m just talking in general... LOL)
Scroll down on this email for lots of reading on the meaning of Tisha B’Av. Become more informed about your heritage. I know you may never have observed this day before, but there’s always a first. It’s an important part of Judaism, so it’s important to you as a Jew. How about it?
May Moshiach come before Tisha B’Av, so we can skip the fast day and celebrate with Hashem!
Shabbat Shalom!
Rabbi Shalom M. Paltiel
Sat night
Tisha B’av services and reading of Eicha, Lamentations: 9:00PM
Sunday morning
Tisha B’Av service: 9AM
Sunday Mincha/Maariv (afternoon/evening service)
including Torah reading, Haftorah & Blessing of the Moon: 7PM
Fast ends: 8:29PM
Please note: There is no Tallis or Tefilin worn on Tisha B’Av morning service. Instead, we wear them during the Mincha service in the afternoon (7PM)
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