Tisha B’Av’s Renewed Significance After October 7th

The ancient Jewish day of mourning, Tisha B’Av, commemorates the destruction of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem over 2,000 years ago. This year, it carries a profound new relevance for Israelis and Jews worldwide in the aftermath of the October 7th massacre. This tragedy has drawn poignant parallels to historical calamities, echoing themes of loss, destruction, and resilience.

Adam Hajaj, whose cousin Rom Braslavski was kidnapped from the Supernova festival by Hamas terrorists, expressed the renewed significance of Tisha B’Av during a rally in support of hostages. At a gathering in Tel Aviv, Hajaj said, “I want to talk to you about the destruction of the Second Temple.” He noted that the themes from the biblical Book of Lamentations, or Eicha, now feel “much closer to home and relevant.”

Eicha, a text from the Hebrew Bible, is traditionally read on Tisha B’Av, observed this year from the evening of August 12 through August 13. The day is marked by fasting, sitting on the floor, and reading Eicha in synagogues. Its themes of destruction, accompanied by brief glimmers of hope, resonate deeply amidst current events.

Hajaj emphasized the need for "unity, mutual assistance, courage—or another destruction by violence and hatred," drawing on the lessons of Tisha B’Av as Israel grapples with the aftermath of October 7th. This day marked the deadliest attack on Jews since the Holocaust, with ongoing conflict and hostages still held in Gaza, while threats loom from Iran and Hezbollah.

In response, Jewish communities worldwide have composed dozens of kinot, or liturgical poems, in the spirit of Lamentations. Rabbi David Stav, head of the Tzohar rabbinical group, remarked that "our identity is now once again linked to pain, loss, and tragedy," giving Tisha B’Av "deeper meaning, prayer, and purpose to both mourn and inspire change."

Stav envisions October 7th becoming part of Judaism’s historical canon, with kinot reflecting these events being read alongside traditional prayers. Tzohar published a 24-page booklet featuring kinot related to October 7th, while Rabbi Yosef Zvi Rimon of the World Mizrachi Movement released a “Kinah for the Events of Swords of Iron,” the Israeli military's codename for its ongoing operations against Hamas.

One of Tzohar’s kinot, "The Lament of Be’eri," by musician Yagel Haroush, poignantly concludes with the line: “Let us water Be’eri from the well of our tears.” This imagery captures the collective mourning and hope for healing within the Jewish community.

Stav noted that October 7th ended a "Golden Era" that both Israel and the global Jewish community appeared to be experiencing. Before this tragedy, it was "difficult to really relate to past tragedies in any tangible and emotional way." However, October 7th dramatically changed that perception, bringing historical mourning into a contemporary context.

As Tisha B’Av is observed this year, it serves as a powerful reminder of the enduring challenges faced by Israel and the Jewish people. It calls for unity and resilience in the face of adversity, reinforcing the need for solidarity and reflection during these challenging times. Share this story to honor the past and inspire hope for the future, and subscribe to our newsletter for more insights.