Model of Herod's Temple (public domain)

Tisha B'Av, the traditional anniversary of the destruction of both the first and second Temples by the Babylonians and the Romans respectively and the saddest day in the Jewish calendar, begins Wednesday evening July 29th and continues on Thursday July 30th until 9:00 PM. The day is associated with many other catastrophes in addition to the destruction of the Temples including the expulsion of the Jews from Spain and the outbreak of World War One and is observed by a fast identical to Yom Kippur in abstinence from solid food, fluids, and sex, but unlike Yom Kippur there are no sabbath prohibitions: one may work, travel and use electricity. In synagogue the Book of Lamentations is chanted.

Some synagogues hold services both Wednesday night and Thursday morning, while other congregations only have one service. Check with your local shul for times. Some congregations also offer talks by scholars on appropriate topics. For example, at Congregation Beth Simchat Torah (CBST), which serves New York's LGBT community, Rabbi Jo Hirschmann, who is also a CBST member, will lead a class on "How can I be your witness?" (Lamentations 2:13) Biblical Poets and Rabbinic Storytellers on Destruction and Rebuilding at 7:30 PM Wednesday evening followed by services at 9:00 PM at 57 Bethune Street in Manhattan. Kehilat Hadar will have shachrit (morning) services and chanting Kinnot (Lamentations) Thursday morning starting at 9:00 AM followed by a class led by Tammy Jacabowitz from 11:30 AM until 1:30 PM followed in turn by a Mincha (afternoon) service from 1:38 to 2:00 PM at West End Synagogue 190 Amsterdam Avenue at 69th Street in Manhattan (West End Synagogue's own Tisha B'Av service takes place the previous night at 8:00 PM).  I introduced my readers to both CBST and Kehilat Hadar last April in Judaism 101: Where to daven post-denominationally in NYC. I wish all my readers who observe the Tisha B'Av a meaningful fast.

Events from scripture and Jewish history associated with Tisha B'Av:

* Scouts return from Canaan and the majority report is accepted, condemning the generation of the Exodus to die in the desert (Numbers 13-14)
* First Temple destroyed by Babylonia, under the leadership of Nebuchadnezzar (586 b.c.e.)
* Second Temple destroyed by Rome, led by Titus (70 c.e.)
* Fall of Betar, ending the Bar Kokhba revolt against Rome (135 c.e.)
* First Crusade proclaimed by Pope Urban II, thousands of Jews will die (1095 c.e.)
* Mass suicide of the Jews of York during anti-Jewish riots (1190 c.e.)
* Expulsion of Jews from England (1290 c.e.)
* Expulsion of Jews from Spain (1492 c.e.)
* Final deportation begins of Jews from the Warsaw Ghetto (1942 c.e.)