Fast Of Av for Dummies

Hey there! So, "Fast of Av" is a Jewish religious observance that commemorates the destruction of the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem. It's a day of mourning and fasting, and it falls on the ninth day of the month of Av in the Hebrew calendar.

During the Fast of Av, people abstain from eating and drinking from sunset to sunset the following day. They also refrain from other activities, like bathing, wearing leather shoes, and engaging in joyful or pleasurable activities. The purpose of the fast is to remember the tragedies that have befallen the Jewish people throughout history and to reflect on the causes of those tragedies.

The First Temple was destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 BCE, and the Second Temple was destroyed by the Romans in 70 CE. Both of these events were major turning points in Jewish history, and the Fast of Av serves as a time to honor the memory of those who perished and to contemplate the lessons learned from these tumultuous events.

In addition to mourning the destruction of the Temples, the Fast of Av is also a time to reflect on other tragedies that have affected the Jewish people, such as the expulsion of the Jews from Spain in 1492 and the Holocaust during World War II.

So, in a nutshell, the Fast of Av is a solemn day of remembrance and self-reflection for the Jewish community, and it's a way to honor the memory of those who have suffered throughout history. It's a time to come together as a community and to contemplate the impact of these tragedies on Jewish identity and history. Hopefully that clears things up for you! If you have any more questions, feel free to ask.