The Three Weeks is an annual mourning period that falls out in the summer. This is when we mourn the destruction of the Holy Temple and our launch into a still-ongoing exile. With an eye to the future, we also learn about the Third Temple, which is yet to be built.
The period begins on the 17th of the Hebrew month of Tammuz, a fast day that marks the day when the walls of Jerusalem were breached by the Romans in 69 CE.
It reaches its climax and concludes with the fast of the 9th of Av, the date when both Holy Temples were set aflame. This is the saddest day of the Jewish calendar, and it is also the date that many other tragedies befell our people . . . read more Tisha B’Av and the 3 Weeks
TISHA B'AV
The Ninth of Av Fast Day
Tisha B’Av, the 9th day of the month of Av (August 1-2), is the saddest day on the Jewish calendar, on which we fast, deprive ourselves and pray. It is the culmination of the Three Weeks, a period of time during which we mark the destruction of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem.
The Fast Begins on Saturday evening, August 2 at 8:05 pm
The Fast Ends nightfall of Sunday, August 3 at 8:41 pm
OBSERVANCES
Besides fasting, we abstain from additional pleasures: washing, applying lotions or creams, wearing leather footwear, and marital relations.
Until midday, we sit on the floor or on low stools. We also abstain from studying Torah—besides those parts that discuss the destruction of the Temple.
On the eve of Tisha b’Av, we gather in the synagogue to read the Book of Lamentations. Tallit and tefillin are not worn during the morning prayers. After the morning prayers we recite Kinot (elegies). We don the tallit and tefillin for the afternoon prayers.
Schedule at Chabad
Saturday night, August 2
Tisha B'Av Fast Begins 8:06 pm
Shabbat ends 8:55 pm
Change into non leather shoes
9:00 pm Maariv and Eicha (Lamentations)
Tisha B'Av Day, Sunday, June 3
9:00 am Shacharit (no Taalit and Tefillin) followed by Kinus
In the afternoon Conclude Shacharit with Taalis and Tefillin & Mincha
8:35 pm Maariv
Fast Ends 8:41 pm
