Tisha b’Av

Wednesday night through Thursday at sundown marks Tisha b’Av, which means the 9th of Av, a date in the Jewish calendar. It is traditionally observed as a fast of mourning that includes reading from the book of Lamentations.  It is thought that this day marks the fall of Jerusalem to both the Roman and Babylonian empires. Because of its connections to Jerusalem, it has taken on a very zionist flavor that mostly makes me want to ignore it altogether. However, it also marks the very very beginning of preparing for the Jewish high holidays — a season I find very meaningful. When I was in Palestine of 2006, I spent Tisha b’Av flyering at the Western Wall, amidst thousands of sobbing Jews who were crying for Jerusalem, for their sons in the Israeli army and for loved ones they had lost due to the occupation of Palestine. Their pain was palpable. From this I learned the value of having a communal day of mourning, in which we gather together to be sad, to talk about our losses, to honor those who have passed, to grieve the pain of oppression and occupation. Back in the day, people were paid to be public lamenters. Perhaps one day we will revive this tradition as a movement fundraiser and call it “A Lamentathon.” In the meantime, here is an amazing alternative Tisha b’Av service written by Elliot Bat Tzedek.

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