The Fast of Tishe B’Av

by Sandra Yosepha Levin at Reaching Out From Jerusalem

This is an updated version of article from the blog Wildflowers, Herbs and Trees of Jerusalem, Israel

If I forget thee O Jerusalem let my right hand wither

Let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth

If I do not put Jerusalem as my greatest joy (Psalm 27)

Tragedies that Took Place on Tishe B’Av

The Hebrew months of Tammuz and Av (July/August) are overshadowed by memories of horrific past tragedies that took place on Tishe B’Av – the 9th day of the Hebrew month of Av, such as the destruction of both the First and Second Jewish temples in Jerusalem. Other terrible things have happened to the Jewish people on this day. The Bar Kochba revolt against the Romans was crushed on Tishe B’Av with the fall of Betar in 133 CE. The First Crusade began on Tishe B’Av in 1096 that led to the destruction of Jerusalem in July 15, 1099 (23 Tamuz 4859) when thousands of Jews and Moslems were savagely slaughtered by the Crusaders. Jews were expelled from England and Spain on this day. World War I began on Tishe B’Av. One of our prominent and beloved rabbis, the Chafetz Chaim prophesied at the end of World War I that there would be all together three wars of Gog and Magog. He said that the second war of Gog and Magog (World War II) would make the first one look like child’s play. He also said that the third war of Gog and Magog would be shorter than the first two, but would lead to more widespread destruction. The mass exterminations of the Jewish people during the Holocaust began on Tishe B’Av. Many more tragedies took place on this day. Thus this day is a day of fasting and mourning for us the Jewish people. By the way the meaning of Av in Hebrew is Father. 

Tishe B’Av is a Day to Fast and Mourn and Work on Self Improvement

Tishe b’Av is a day to fast and mourn and a time to examine ourselves to see what kind of a people and nation we are today and pray that we will never be punished again as we were in the past.

This is the time to pause and reflect and work on self improvement – this is the time to get rid of bad character traits. There is a three week period of semi-mourning from the 17th day of Tammuz which is also a fast until the 9th of Av. The mourning intensifies on the nine days that lead up to the 9th day of Av. People refrain from listening to music, eating meat except on the holy Shabbat, going to beaches and pools, buying new clothes, wearing perfume and makeup, traveling, and more.

This Year many are Trembling in Fear of Divine Wrath

This year many of us are much more trembling in fear of divine wrath because of the terrible divisions that have taken place in Israel. Vicious hatred, slanders, lies and violence are the order of the day and many of us have forgotten our past history when such divisions and civil wars between Jews led to our 2000 year exile with its ongoing persecutions that culminated in the Holocaust. Sadly, many of us have forgotten how causeless hatred between our people in the past led to our enemies’ victories over us, the loss of our two Temples and the death and slavery of millions of our people.

Wake up! Is this the way to behave as His chosen people?

Recipe for Final Meal before the Fast

Majara for Tishe B’Av

Majara Lentils and Rice – Photo by Sandra Yosepha Levin Copyright © 2023

Here is a recipe for majara, a traditional food of lentils served as the final meal before the Fast of Tishe b’Av. It is especially popular with Sephardic Jews. Mourning is seen as part of an ongoing circle and lentils are chosen because they are round. In other words, mourning is not seen as an end to anything, but rather as part of the continuing circle of life. We mourn, but life must go on.

Ingredients

  • 1 package green or brown lentils – 500 grams
  • 1 cup rice (preferably whole long-grained brown or whole basmati)
  • Salt to taste 
  • 2 Tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 Tablespoon ground cumin
  • 1 or 2 onions chopped and fried in olive oil

Instructions

Boil the lentils together with the fried onions, olive oil, cumin and salt in water for ½ an hour.

Add the whole rice

Cook another 30-45 minutes on low heat until most of the water has been absorbed.

Conclusion

Let us hope and pray that our great G-D, who is the Creator of the universe will have mercy on us and come and save Israel from the terrible divisions and hatred that are destroying us as His people.