The saddest day in the Jewish calendar

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The Jewish day of mourning, Tisha B’Av, the ninth day of the Jewish month of Av, is considered the saddest day in the Jewish calendar. Each year, it commemorates the destruction of the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem more than 2000 years ago.

In the Middle East, the month of Av falls during the height of summer, when temperatures are at their most intense. The destruction of the Temples in Jerusalem during this period compounded the suffering of the Jewish people. The city was under siege, entry and exit were restricted, and many people died from starvation and thirst.

On Tisha B’Av itself, Jews fast for 25 hours, with both food and water forbidden. On Tisha........

© The Sydney Morning Herald