Most Jewish holidays are a cause for celebration. Usually, there’s lots of food involved. Tisha B’av, often described as the saddest day of the Jewish year, is an exception. It commemorates a series of tragedies that all happened to fall on the 9th day of Av, which falls on August 10th this year. To name a few, the destruction of the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem and the expulsion of Jews from England and Spain all happened on this day. These disasters are commemorated by a day of mourning observed by fasting and reflecting on the tragic history of the day.  

 

Even though Tisha B’av is a solemn day, there is a silver lining. After every attempt to destroy the community and spirit of the Jewish people, they were resilient and continued with more bravery than ever before. When we mourn those who lost their lives, we should also be thankful for those who continued to be proud Jews even after relentless attacks. Thanks to them, we get to enjoy our thriving Jewish community today. 

 

No one should take their Jewish community for granted. Jewish people can find a lot of meaning in their lives by staying connected to their Jewish roots and traditions. Maot Chitim helps needy members of the Chicagoland Jewish community stay connected through the celebration of Jewish holidays. This Tisha B’av, please consider donating or planning to volunteer with us for our upcoming Rosh Hashanah delivery.