It’s been a strange summer so far. The war in Israel is probably the main reason for that. For among all the usual fun summer activities, there’s the shadow of our brothers and sisters in Israel fighting (and dying) to protect themselves.
So in an odd way, Tisha b’Av fits right in. Normally we find the annual Jewish day of mourning a bit of an anomaly, because summer is about fun, laughter, relaxation. Then suddenly comes a day of abstention and sorrow. This year, however, after deadly kidnappings and rising IDF casualty figures, we’re already in a state of mourning. All we can hope for is that, like the holiday of love, Tu b’Av, which follows Tisha b’Av, there’s hope and good news on the horizon.
There are services taking place at most area synagogues and temples on both Monday evening and Tuesday; here are just three Tisha b’Av programs that caught our attention:
- Pre-fast dinner and discussion of Judaism’s mourning customs (Rodef Shalom)
- Live stream of the Chofetz Chaim Foundation’s Tisha b’Av program (The Jewish Experience)
- An Israel focused Tisha b’Av service, incorporating Israeli melodies (Har Shalom, Ft. Collins)
Some of our thoughts on Tisha b’Av, from earlier years:
- Tisha b’Av: Tracing tragedy, did Judaism’s most tragic moments happen on 9 Av?
- From mourning to celebration, the juxtaposition of sadness and joy
- Tisha b’Av links, sinat chinam, the core of the day’s mourning
- Last minute tips for an easier fast, the practical stuff!
