Tisha B'Av

Tisha B'Av Food Drive

As we prepare for and observe the fast of Tisha B'Av, please join FTJC in supporting the kosher food pantry at the JCC of Washington Heights & Inwood, as well as the Community Fridge at the Fort Washington Collegiate Campus, by donating fresh fruit and vegetables (packaged to avoid being crushed), or non-perishable canned or packaged food that is unopened and unexpired. (No junk food, please!) Donations can be brought to FTJC during any of our Tisha B'Av services.

The Nine Days

The Nine Days begin with Rosh Chodesh Av (Sunday night August 4 and Monday August 5) and continue through Tisha B'Av (Monday night August 12 and Tuesday August 13). To carry us into an atmosphere of mourning, traditional practices for the Nine Days include:  avoiding public celebrations, concerts, and haircuts; refraining from luxuries such as meat, wine, shaving, new clothes, and laundry (except for children's needs). The restrictions on meat and wine are suspended on Shabbat.

Tisha B'Av - Fast of the Ninth of Av

Traditional practices for Tisha B'Av include: refraining from eating, drinking, sexual relations, oils and perfumes, bathing (except minimal washing to remove dirt or after using the toilet), studying Torah (except for books like Lamentations and Job), wearing leather shoes, and greeting one another (especially with the word "shalom"). These restrictions begin Monday August 12 at sunset (7:57 PM).

Fasting on Tisha B'Av is a mitzvah for all Jews over the age of b'nei mitzvah who are able to do so. Those who have a medical condition that prevents fasting should eat and/or drink as needed. Those who are able to fast for at least part of the day should continue for as long as they can, then should eat and/or drink as needed. Caution is particularly important in the heat of the summer.

Tisha B'Av Night Service with Eichah (Lamentations) and Kinot (Dirge Poems)
Monday August 12, 8:30 PM
In the dark and the drama, we read from the Book of Lamentations and sing out our ancestors' sorrow over the destruction of the First and Second Temples and the holy city of Jerusalem. Please bring a copy of Eichah if you have one. Extra copies, as well as flashlights and booklets with kinot, will be available. It is customary to sit on the floor if able. Chairs will also be available. The service will begin with Ma'ariv (evening prayers).

Tisha B'Av Daytime Services
Tuesday August 13
Shacharit, 7:00 AM -- Tallit and tefillin are not worn at Shacharit, and the custom is to sit on the floor if able; chairs will also be available. The service will include Kinot (dirge poems). Please register here to ensure the minyan.
Minchah, 6:30 PM -- Tallit and tefillin are worn at Minchah, and we sit normally on chairs, as the liturgical mood begins to shift toward consolation. Please register here to ensure the minyan.

Online learning is being offered by our friends at the Hadar Institute all day; more info here.

Other practices that could enhance one's observance of Tisha B'Av might include: Fasting until the earliest time for Minchah (1:35 PM); reading upsetting parts of the Bible (Lamentations, Job, prophetic rebukes) or rabbinic literature on the destruction of the Temples; reading books or watching films about other tragedies in Jewish history; reflecting on the role of our own misdeeds and "sinat chinam" (gratuitous hatred) in contributing to our suffering; and turning our minds toward teshuvah (return, repentance) as we approach the High Holidays just seven weeks away.

The fast ends at nightfall, 8:41 PM.

The restrictions on meat and wine continue until midday on the following day, because tradition holds that the Temple ruins still smoldered until then.

Questions? Feel free to e-mail Rabbi Guy.