The Jewish world will commemorate Tisha Beav, the saddest day on the Hebrew calendar due to the misfortunes and calamities that have occurred throughout its millennial history.
The Mishnah, in the treaty Taanit (fasting) chapter 4, mishnah 6, relates five tragedies for the Am Israel (people of Israel) that occurred this day:
Moses sent 12 scout spies to spy on the Land of Israel and know where to enter the land to begin the conquest. Upon returning, after forty days, 10 of the 12 spies gave a false report about the land and its inhabitants, which the people accepted because of their lack of faith, crying discouraged. For this reason, Gd decreed that the men of that generation would not enter the Land of Israel and wander the desert for forty years dying in it, and this was the first sad event occurred on the ninth of Av (from the year 1313 B.C.E.).
The Babylonians razed the First Temple and all of Judea led by Nebuchadnezzar in 586 B.C., condemning the population to exile from Babylon.
The Second Temple was destroyed by the Roman Empire, led by General Titus, in 70 CE. About two million Jews died and another million was exiled, initiating the diaspora that lasted for almost 2,000 years. According to the Talmud, the destruction of the Second Temple began on the 9th and ended on the 10th of av, when the flames finished devastating it.
The Roman empire then led by Hadrian conquered the great city of Betar, defeating the revolt led by Simon Bar Kojba, who like Rabbi Akiva and thousands of his followers along with thousands of inhabitants of Eretz Israel (Land of Israel were killed, in the year 120 ec
The Roman general Turnus Rufus, following orders from the Roman emperor Hadrian, built the Roman city Aelia Capitolina on the ruins of Jerusalem, forbidding the access of the Jews to it, year 131 CE.
After the closing of the Mishna, other calamities and tragedies occurred on Av 9, including the following:
Urban II declares the first Crusades in 1095.
Burning of the Talmud, in France, in 1242.
In 1290, signing of the edict of Edward I of England expelling the Jews from England.
The Alhambra Decree expels the Jews from Spain on August 3, 1492.
World War I begins in 1914.
Start of deportations from the Warsaw Ghetto and inauguration of the Treblinka death camp in 1942.
In remembrance and commemoration of these tragedies and calamities, the Chachamim (sages) established that Tisha BeAv, on the 9th of Av, is a day of fasting. It lasts approximately 25 hours, starting at sunset the previous day and ending with the rising of the stars.
Halachot (laws) of Tishá BeAv
Unlike the rest of the public fasts of the year, that of Tishá BeAv is similar to Yom Kippur in that five things are prohibited: eating and drinking, washing, smearing with creams and oils, wearing leather shoes, and having marital relations.
Eating and Drinking: The prohibition on eating and drinking runs from sunset on the eve of 9 Av until the rising of the stars the next day, therefore each person must observe a Jewish calendar of the community of their city the respective hours.
Sick people: Unlike Yom Kippur, on 9th Av sick people are totally exempt from fasting, even if their disease does not carry any danger. Likewise, someone who was recently sick and in case of fasting there is the possibility of getting sick again, is exempt from the obligation to fast.
Pregnant and breastfeeding women: In general, pregnant women are obliged to fast, if they are strong and feel good. However, if she has dizziness, lack of blood, palpitations, high blood pressure, any infection for which she has to take antibiotics, fever due to fasting, or feels weak in general, because if fasting can be dangerous for him Baby, you are exempt from the obligation to fast. The same rule applies to women who are breastfeeding their babies.
Boys: Younger Bar Mitzva boys, as well as younger Bat Mitzva girls, are also exempt from the obligation to fast. All those who are exempt from fasting should try to refrain from eating in public.
Medications: Healthy people who need to take any kind of medication in Tishá BeAv – such as pills, capsules, syrups, etc. – will be able to take it after the end of it, without more than 25 hours having passed.
Washing: Regarding the prohibition of washing, bathing, showering or any type of washing for pleasure is prohibited, but if it is necessary to remove any dirt from the body, it is allowed as well as if you need to do it to carry out any healing.
Oils and creams: Refers only to oils or creams that are used solely for pleasure, but for health reasons are allowed.
Leather footwear: In Tishá BeAv it is forbidden to wear any footwear that is made of leather or covered in leather, but leather belts may be worn.
Studying Torah: Since studying Torah brings spiritual pleasure to the person, it is generally forbidden on this day. In any case, it is allowed to study in Tishá BeAv texts referring to the destruction of the Temple or the mourning: the Sefer Eijá and Iob (book of Lamentations and Job of the Bible), the laws of mourning, etc., texts that through which the person wakes up to repentance.
How to sit: Other mourning customs include not sitting in places higher than 24 centimeters above the ground, but after noon this prohibition does not apply. Anyway, for those who for health reasons have a hard time accomplishing this, they can sit normally, since they do not do it for pleasure.
Greeting: Because Tishá BeAv is a day of mourning, it is forbidden to greet another person, but if someone greeted us, it is allowed to answer the greeting.
Chores and work: Tishá BeAv is a totally skillful day and that is why it is allowed in him to turn on the light, touch money, travel by car, etc., but regarding dedication to the profession or work of each one, in most of the places of the world the custom is to abstain unless that entails a loss of capital.
Av 10: Because the fire in the Temple in Jerusalem lasted until the day after Tisha BeAv, certain prohibitions remain that day, at least until after solar noon, such as not eating meat or drinking wine; On this occasion, due to Shabbat, the fast is celebrated precisely this day.
The AMIA attack occurred on 10 Av de 5754 (July 18, 1994), so it is also appropriate to remember its Jewish victims.