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 Tisha
B'Av
& The Three Weeks
The
little known fast of Tisha B'Av is less understood
than Israel's other holy days, but is of considerable importance. Tisha B'Av
commemorates what are acknowledged to be the two most tragic events in Jewish
history. It was on this day that the Babylonians destroyed Solomon's temple in
586 B.C., and on this day in A.D. 70 that the Romans leveled the Second
Temple with fire. Tisha B'Av is also set aside as a somber fast on the Jewish
calendar because on this day God decreed that the disbelieving generation of
Israelites would not enter into the promise land. They had despaired of God's
power to conquer their enemies and lead them into the land of promise. For
this reason, they would be consigned to wander 40 years in the dry and dusty
wilderness, and only their children would enter into Canaan.
There are four annual fast days discovered in
Zechariah 8:19. Tisha
B'Av stands out from the other three in the mind of a
Jewish worshipper. Tisha B'Av literally means "the Ninth of Av," and occurs in
the the fifth month which falls annually around July-August.
The "Three Weeks" between the 17th of Tammuz and
the 9th of Av (example dates of 2007: July 3, 2007 -- July 24, 2007) have historically been days of misfortune and calamity for the
Jewish People. During this time, both the First and Second Temples were
destroyed, among other terrible tragedies.
These days are referred to as the period "within
the straits" in accordance with the verse: "all her persecutors overtook
her between the straits,"
Lamentations 1:3
K.J.V. During this time, various aspects of mourning
are observed by the entire nation of Israel. Devotees minimize joy and
celebration. And, since the attribute of Divine judgment is acutely
felt, many avoid potentially dangerous or risky endeavors.
With Rosh Chodesh Av (the 1st day of
Av; example date of 2007: July 16, 2007), the more intense period of mourning
for the destruction of the Temple begins, known as The Nine Days.
"As Av enters, we diminish our joy," says the Mishna, which is manifest in many
laws & customs observed during the first nine days of the month of Av (Actually
it is for nine and a half to ten days). Some of the manifestations of this
concept are the reduction of business, the prohibition of pleasurable building,
and so forth.
According to Judaism, an observer should not play musical instruments during the
Nine Days. Some say that applies to singing as well. There are appropriate songs
to sing during the Nine Days. Giving of gifts are avoided, if possible, during
the Nine Days. If unavoidable, it is preferably to set the gift aside and not
use it until after Tisha B''Av.
New clothes are seldom bought during the Nine Days. Hair cutting and
shaving are prohibited. Even those who shave during the Three Weeks should avoid
shaving during the Nine Days.
Judaism teaches that weddings and other festive gatherings are prohibited. One
should not play or listen to music. Pleasurable bathing is also
prohibited. Meat and wine are prohibited during the Nine Days, except on
Shabbat. Meat and wine are associated both with joy and with Temple service.
Both reasons combine to explain this prohibition. It is the practice not
to wear freshly laundered clothing during the Nine Days.
This is not an exhaustive list of
the rules for the Nine Days. Faithful observers take this annual time
period of mourning, including the Three Weeks, which end at Tisha B'Av, as very
important. It is a time when Jews ponder the causes of the destruction of
Jerusalem and the Temple and work towards "repairing the damage" caused by past
(and present) generations.
A Time of Calamity
All told, five tragic events have occurred on
Tisha B'Av in Jewish history. According to Jewish writer, Michael
Strassfeld, in a book highly recommended, The Jewish Holidays: A Guide &
Commentary, 1985, the tragedies are as follows:
1. The generation of the Exodus was told that
they all had to die in the desert, for they had despaired of God's power to lead
them into the land of promise.
2, 3. Both the First and the Second Temples
went up in flames.
4. The city of Betar ... was captured by the
Romans, thousands were slain; Jewish resistance ended and, with it, the hope for
a speedy restoration of the Temple; Jewish religion was proscribed.
5. The city of Jerusalem was plowed under, to
be rendered uninhabitable (Taanit 26a).
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Quotes
"Since Tisha B'Av is a major fast day, all food
and drink is banned. On this day it is also forbidden to wear shoes, bathe,
wear perfume, shave, wash cloths or exchange greetings. Mirrors are
traditionally covered, and mourners sit on the ground or a low stool just as one
would do when mourning the loss of a loved one," The Feasts of the Lord,
1997, by Kevin Howard and Marvin Rosenthal, page 155..
Another Jewish writer adds, "Tisha B'Av is
a day of fasting observed with mourning customs, such as not shaving and sitting
low to the ground. It also culminates a three-week period of semi-mourning when
weddings and other celebrations are avoided ... The text for Tisha B'Av is the
Book of Lamentations, a long poem that keens over the destruction of Jerusalem
and the first Temple," Living A Jewish Life, 1991, by Anita Diamant and
Howard Cooper, page 238.
The Prophetic Tisha B'Av Of The Appointed Time Of The End
Tisha B'Av foreshadows tragic events for
the nation of Israel and the world at large at the end of time.
"O My people, put on sackcloth and roll in ashes; mourn with
bitter wailing as for an only son [whom you rejected], for suddenly the Destroyer [Antichrist/Satan]
will come upon us,"
Jeremiah 6:26. Indeed, the One who causes desolation will come to
Israel and Jerusalem and bring untold destruction.
The 2300 evenings and mornings (1150 days) of
Courtroom Judgment associated with the surrender and desecration of Heaven's
Temple during the appointed time begins on Tisha B'Av (Daniel
8:13-14) at Point 12 of the
Appointed Times &
Seasons Calendar. From the events begun on Tisha B'Av, we see a judgment
verdict of the Courtroom in which the majority of mankind (the nations) will be sentenced to
destruction along with Antichrist (Daniel
7:26) because the masses have followed after the man of sin (Revelation
13:8). Tisha B'Av reflects the mourning and sadness
of such great losses in both the physical and spiritual realms.
On earth during the time of the end,
modern Israel will also suffer the same unbelief of Egypt's generation... the
failure to trust in
the Messenger of the Covenant, God's Son--Yeshua, and His providential power.
The book of Revelation promises that Jesus will conquer the evil enemy and take
spiritual Israel into Heavenly Canaan, but the majority of today's Jews (and
Christians alike) will despair, turning to Antichrist for their temporal
deliverance.
The Three Weeks began on July 13, 2006,
and ran to Tisha B'Av, August 3, 2006. On July 12, 2006, the regional war
between Israel and Hezbollah, backed by Syria and Iran, began, and it portends
of tragedies to come to the people of Israel that will escalate from this war
forward.
The last generation must suffer 40 months of
wilderness travel just as the generation of Egypt suffered 40 years for their
unbelief 3,500 years ago. The 40 months of the appointed time of the end,
will likely begin on June 5, 2007--exactly 40 years after the Six-day War and the
retaking of Old Jerusalem, the Western Wall and Temple Mount. This period
will end with the 40 days of Jacob's Trouble--the great tribulation.
When all is said and done, faith
will become as rare as rain during the last days. "Will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him
day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they
get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith
on the earth?"
Luke 18:7-8.
See the
Appointed Times &
Seasons Calendar for the connection between Tisha B'Av and the 1150 days of Courtroom Judgment in Heaven which will
also begin on this most sorrowful annual holy date, and the 40 years, 40 months
and 40 days of the end.
See the
God's Festivals for future dates when Tisha B'Av will be observed.
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