Tisha b'av facts for kids

Tisha b'Av is a special day in Judaism when people remember sad events from history. It is a fast day, which means people do not eat or drink from sunset on the evening before until nightfall the next day.

The main reason for this fast is to remember the destruction of two very important buildings in Jerusalem: the First Temple and the Second Temple. These temples were central to Jewish life a long time ago.

What is Tisha b'Av?

Tisha b'Av is the ninth day of the Hebrew month of Av. It is a day of sadness and mourning for Jewish people around the world. It marks a time to reflect on difficult moments in their history.

Why is Tisha b'Av Important?

This day is important because it remembers several sad events that happened on or around the ninth of Av. The most significant events are the destruction of the two Temples.

The First Temple

The First Temple was built by King Solomon. It was destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 BCE. This was a very sad time for the Jewish people. They lost their holy place and many were forced to leave their homeland.

The Second Temple

The Second Temple was built after the Jewish people returned to Jerusalem. It stood for many years but was destroyed by the Romans in 70 CE. This event also caused great sadness and led to many Jewish people being spread out across the world.

How is Tisha b'Av Observed?

On Tisha b'Av, people observe several customs to show their sadness and remembrance.

Fasting and Mourning

The main way to observe Tisha b'Av is by fasting. This means no food or water from sunset to nightfall. People also avoid joyful activities. They might not wear leather shoes or listen to music.

Special Prayers

During Tisha b'Av, people go to the synagogue. They read special prayers and poems called Kinnot. These poems describe the sad events that happened. They also remember other difficult times in Jewish history.

Learning and Reflection

Many people spend the day learning about the history of the Temples. They reflect on the meaning of these events. It is a day for thinking about how to improve and bring more kindness into the world.

Images for kids

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  Reading kinnot at the Western Wall

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  Lamenting in the synagogue, 1887

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  Jews pray in a synagogue on Tisha B'av. Painted by Maurycy Trębacz and published in 1903. From the collection of the National Library of Israel

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  Excavated stones from the Western Wall of the Temple Mount (Jerusalem, Israel), knocked onto the street below by Roman battering rams in 70 AD