Jews are no strangers to tragedy. To commemorate days of hardship, we pay homage on one single day, the ninth day of Av, more commonly referred to as Tisha B’Av.

Tisha B’Av is a major fast day on the Jewish calendar and is considered a day of mourning, as well as the saddest day on the calendar. This day is a commemoration of several tragedies that befell the Jewish people throughout history: The destruction of the first and second Temples (586 BCE, 70CE) occurred on the ninth of Av, as did the expulsion of Jews from Spain in 1492.

The fast day itself shares many similarities to Yom Kippur; Jews refrain from eating and drinking, bathing, wearing leather shoes, engaging in marital relations, and wearing perfume, deodorant, cologne, etc. Additionally, the study of Torah is prohibited on this day.

The three weeks between the 17th of Tammuz and the ninth of Av are considered a period of mourning and, during this period, Jews refrain from engaging in celebrations and cutting their hair. The first nine days of the month of Av are considered a period of intense mourning so Jews refrain from eating meat and drinking wine (considered celebratory acts), wearing new clothing, or saying the Shehechiyanu blessing, a blessing for new experiences and special occasions.