Ashes on the Groom’s Head
One of the symbolic customs instituted by our Sages to remember the destruction of the Bet haMiqdash—particularly during moments of great joy—is the placing...
Remembering the destruction of Yerushalayim when visiting the Western Wall
During the past few days we mentioned the customs and traditions of mourning which we keep year-round to remember the Bet-haMiqdash, especially during celebrations.
Before...
Leaving an unfinished wall
Although our official mourning for the destruction of the Bet haMiqdash ends the day after Tish’a BeAb, our rabbis established certain traditions of mourning...
ZEKHER LAMIQDASH: The delicate balance between mourning and celebrations
Following the destruction of the Second Temple, a major change took place in Am Israel. It seemed that after the destruction and exile, it...
Remembering Yerushalayim when hosting a meal
The Sages who lived during the generation of the Bet haMiqdash instituted certain traditions related to grief, to help us remember—during moments of celebration—that...
WHEN TISHA BEAB BEGINS ON A SATURDAY NIGHT
This year, 2025, the fast of Tish’a BeAb begins on Saturday night, August 2, and ends on Sunday night, August 3, at 8:38pm in...
Summary of Parashat Debarim
Moshe addresses the people of Israel —the new generation of Israelites who are about to enter the Land of Israel— in a long and...
Who is exempt from fasting?
All those individuals who are in good health should observe the fast of Tish'a beAb.
Some exceptions are explained below.
PREGNANT AND NURSING WOMEN
As in Yom...
LAWS AND CUSTOMS OF TISHA BEAB
MOURNING FOR TISH'A BEAB
During Tish’a beAb we behave as if we were in mourning for a loved one who has just passed away. To...
MATTOT – MAS’E: Tora and Human Sacrifices
וְאִם־לֹ֣א תוֹרִ֗ישׁוּ אֶת־יֹשְׁבֵי֙ הָאָ֣רֶץ מִפְּנֵיכֶ֔ם וְהָיָ֣ה אֲשֶׁ֣ר תּוֹתִ֗ירוּ מֵהֶם֙ לְשִׂכִּים֙ בְּעֵ֣ינֵיכֶ֔ם וְלִצְנִינִ֖ים בְּצִדֵּיכֶ֑ם וְצָֽרְרוּ֙ אֶתְכֶ֔ם עַל־הָאָ֖רֶץ אֲשֶׁ֥ר אַתֶּֽם־יֹשְׁבִ֖ים בָּֽהּ׃
Our Parasha tells us that when...
