Francesco Hayez, The Second Temple in flames, 1867. The 9th of Av,
Tisha B'Av, is a
fast commemorating what has been called the saddest day in Jewish history,[1] which is when the
Holy Temple was set aflame.
Av (also Menachem Av,[2]Hebrew: אָב,
Modern: ʾAv,
Tiberian: ʾĀḇ) is the eleventh month of the civil year and the fifth month of the ecclesiastical year on the
Hebrew calendar.[3] It is a month of 30 days, and usually occurs in July–August on the
Gregorian calendar.
The
Babylonian Talmud states that "when we enter [the month of] Av, our joy is diminished".[4] This is because the darkest events in Jewish history occurred during the first week and a half of this month, particularly
the Nine Days which culminate in Tisha B'Av, the 9th day of Av. However, the month also contains a holiday called Tu B'Av which was, in ancient times, considered one of the happiest days of the year.
Etymology
Originally Abu on the
Babylonian calendar, the name is derived from
AkkadianʾAbū, which might mean "reed" or be connected to the name of the Mesopotamian god
Abu.[5] Others derive the name of the month from the Hebrew word "Av" - "father".[6][7] The name Ab (
Arabic: آﺏ) also appears in the Arabic language for the month of August in the
Levant (see
Arabic names of calendar months).
The name Ab appears in Aramaic ostraca from the
Persian period,[8] in Aramaic documents from Ancient Egypt and Palmyra, in Masada and Qarnayim ostraca, in the best manuscripts of
Targum Jonathan to Ez. 20:1,[9] and in Rabbinic literature starting with
Megillat Taanit.[10] It is one of several months which are not named in the
Hebrew Bible.
7 Av (67
CE) –
Civil war breaks out in besieged
Jerusalem; one group set fire to the city's food stores, which is said to have quickened starvation.[citation needed]
15 Av (148
CE) –
Betar dead buried, 15 years after the fall of the fortress.[citation needed]
15 Av – The Day of the Breaking of the Ax – when the
Holy Temple existed, the cutting of
firewood for the altar was completed on this date every year. The event was celebrated by feasting, rejoicing, and the ceremonial breaking of the axes.[13]
^Telushkin, Joseph (1991). Jewish Literacy: Most Important Things to Know About the Jewish Religion, Its People and Its History. William Morrow & Co, 656.
ISBN0-688-08506-7.