Tisha B’Av is a Solemn Day of Remembrance
Today is not just any old day. On the Jewish calendar, Tisha B’Av is a solemn day of remembrance for all Jews. The ninth day of the Hebrew month of Av usually coincides with July or August, so in many areas it's hot and humid during this time. Some people observe their fast on this date because it is made up of reflection and mourning, rather than celebration like other days throughout the year.
The Jewish holiday of Tisha B'av falls on Wednesday, July 26 until sunset on Thursday, July 27, 2023. Some call it "the saddest day" because it commemorates two major tragedies that happened thousands of years ago:
The destruction of Solomon's Temple in 586 BC by Babylonians led by King Nebuchadnezzar II during his siege against Jerusalem.
When Roman legions under Titus sacked Jerusalem again after breaching its walls with battering rams and siege towers in 70 AD.
King Solomon's Temple, also known as the First Temple, was built by King Solomon in 957 BC and is considered one of the most celebrated religious structures ever built. Its splendor was only rivaled by its beauty. It stood for 410 years before being destroyed (2 Chronicles 36:19–20).
According to the Bible, it was destroyed by the King of Babylon. This is corroborated by evidence found in archeological digs around Jerusalem, which include parts of the wall from this Temple and inscriptions that refer to an attack on "the city of David".
The ruins of the Second Temple visible today date from the early Roman period. The western retaining wall of the Temple Mount (also known as 'the Wailing Wall” or “Kotel') is believed to be the only remaining portion of the Herodian-era Second Temple, which was destroyed by Titus in AD 70.
On this day, we mourn the destruction of our Temple in Jerusalem. It was a time that marked history and is still deeply engraved in Jewish culture today. The Book of Lamentations resonates with sorrowful tones when being chanted by Jews on Tisha B’Av because it recounts Jeremiah's account of the Holy City falling to Nebuchadnezzar II's Babylonian forces. They were sent into exile for 70 years as punishment for not listening to God or following His commandments after delivering His chosen people away from Egypt and bringing them into their Promised Land so long ago.
To hear the words of Jeremiah echoing through the ages is to hear him again lamenting over the loss; mourning those who died defending Israel against its enemies but also knowing that what was lost for now still shall be gained at a later date.
In the face of unrelenting tragedy, Jewish people cling to hope. Jeremiah's account is wrought with despair but concludes on a note of comfort and renewed faith in God:
"Restore us to yourself, O Lord, that we may be restored! Renew our days as if they were old." - Lamentations 5:21
Jerusalem’s Western Wall is the holiest site for Jewish people and is significant to Christians too. It's where Jews pray for the redemption of their firstborn sons from Exodus 13:2 as Mary and Joseph did with Jesus in Luke 2:23-24.
Today, as you stand close enough to touch the horrors that occurred when the Temple was destroyed, forcing Jewish people into exile; here at this place known as “the holiest spot on earth" – a towering limestone wall fills your sight. We remember what happened nearly 2000 years ago during the Roman occupation (AD 70), but one thing remains true about these ancient stones even now - the Wall still stands. The Jewish people remain on this earth, and they endure even now, despite these devastating attacks against them.
Just like the Temple was destroyed, then rebuilt - just as our ancient ancestors left Egypt following God's commandment to Moses – so shall we leave behind what happened two thousand years ago and once again return back home to Israel.
Today is a time for mourning, but also for celebrating the resilience of my people despite their oppression throughout history, and to remember the miracles God has done to restore His people. The prophet Amos even predicted Tisha B’Av would become a festive day when he said:
"On that day I will raise up the fallen booth of David; I will repair its breaches, and raise up its ruins...On that day I will raise up the booth of David that is fallen and repair its damages." – Amos 9:11-12
The complex of the Wailing Wall is an emotional and spiritual experience for Jews. You’ll see hundreds of people mourning the destruction of The Temples, on Tisha B'Av at this holy site where you can also find a prayer book with readings from Eichah. Men read it aloud in their characteristic wail while women cry out as they listen to each verse echoing through the stones.
The Kotel was originally built as part of the expansion of Herod's Temple. The natural hill, known as the temple mount, is encased by a huge rectangular structure to create more space for worshipers and visitors at this holy site.
The Kotel has stood in the Jewish Quarter of Jerusalem for centuries. The area is a testimony to how time and place have both impacted and shaped our history forever. King Solomon dedicated this site as the Temple, but then later it was destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar II during his siege against Judah (2 Kings 25:3). And though many Jews were dispersed through exile due to persecution or because they voluntarily moved out of Israel, something about these stones sticks with us like no other temple could ever do again; we are rooted here because there will always be hope that one day God's house will rise once more in the millennial kingdom from which Messiah will sit on the throne of his father David - fulfilling the promises of God to Israel and the world.
Today, the Kotel in Jerusalem is considered to be the center of prayer for Jews. It has been a site where people have gone since antiquity. The Jewish community believes that because all prayers enter heaven through the Kotel, it must also pass from there and bless them with good fortune as well as happiness and peace on earth.
King David knew God was in this place:
“In my distress I called upon the LORD; to my God I cried for help. From His temple, He heard my voice, and my cry to Him reached His ears.” - Psalm 18:6
The Wailing Wall is a historic and holy site for Jews from all over the world who travel to Jerusalem in order to pray at this sacred spot. It's customary for visitors to bring pieces of paper on which they have written their prayers or notes that are then tucked into crevices within the wall as prayer offerings. Anyone can place prayer requests here!
If you ever have the opportunity to go to Israel and visit the Wailing Wall, look up. Centuries of rebuilt stones amassing to create a mosaic of destruction and restoration as each new people group would come through and claim the Holy Land their own. Remember that on this place where we stand today, we need to be strong and not falter in our faith. It was here on "The Ninth" when both Temples were destroyed by enemies who sought nothing short but complete destruction.
Restoring peace and order back into Jerusalem will come again, through a greater King. We call Him Yeshua, Jesus, the Prince of Peace.
“Restore us to yourself, O Lord, that we may be restored! Renew our days as of old.” - Lamentations 5:21
Written by Ron Davis.
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