Community Wide Erev Tisha B’Av Service

Monday, August 4th - 8:30 PM
Congregation Ohev Shalom
613 Concourse Parkway South
Maitland, Florida

The Fast of Tisha B’Av (Ninth of Av) begins at sundown on Monday, August 4. Community Erev services will be held at Congregation Ohev Shalom.

The saddest day in Jewish history is the ninth of the month of Av. On this day, the Babylonians destroyed the First Temple in 586 BCE and the Romans burned down the Second Temple in 70 CE.

Other tragedies in Jewish history that occurred on this day include the expulsion of the Jews of England in 1290, the expulsion of the Jews from Spain in 1492 and numerous actions by the Nazis during the Holocaust.

To commemorate these tragic events, our sages designated Tisha B’Av as a full fast day, like Yom Kippur, from one evening to the next. In addition to fasting, other prohibitions include drinking any liquid, bathing, wearing leather shoes, etc.

On Erev Tisha B’Av we gather to read the Book of Lamentations (Eycha) with a special trope melody. This is an ancient dirge written by the prophet Jeremiah after the destruction of the First Temple.

During the synagogue service it is customary to sit on the floor, as mourners, and we are not to greet each other, also as mourners. During the morning service we do not wear tefillin, because it is considered too joyous an act for so sad a day.

On the following Tuesday morning, the holiday will be commemorated at the daily minyan at the Jewish Academy of Orlando at 7:45 am.

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