Comments on: The Historical Meaning of Tish’a B’av (9 Av)

By: Dovid S.

Dovid S. — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 12:07:44 +0000

Hi Josh, I enjoyed your post a while back and just came across this site, the homepage of the book Calendrical Calculations, which has a great calendar applet that lets you check dates across more than a handful of calendars. Just be sure to read the Warnings section first.

By: Boruch

Boruch — Sun, 22 Jul 2007 09:42:00 +0000

In 1492, the Jews were expelled from Spain. King Ferdinand decreed that by the end of July, Spain should be Judenrein. They were then given two days extra, until the second of August, the 9th of Av.

By: Your friend

Your friend — Mon, 07 Aug 2006 11:06:21 +0000

Mate, numbers are MEANINGLESS without knowing the incertanity. I don't know how many times my teacher has told me this.

By: Charlie Hall

Charlie Hall — Fri, 04 Aug 2006 11:04:54 +0000

The shooting started a little earlier in World War I: "The day after Serbia received Austria-Hungary's declaration of war, 29 July, the capital Belgrade was placed under bombardment." http://www.firstworldwar.com/origins/julycrisis.htm

By: blp

blp — Sun, 21 Aug 2005 15:30:33 +0000

9th of Av 2005 - Gaza pullout begins.

By: Victor

Victor — Sat, 13 Aug 2005 23:11:50 +0000

To answer your comments about WHY the dates are not exact it could be a few reasons,
1.It could be that the 9th of Av,that occurred in the middle east has a time difference (compared to europe) so that could be the explaination of why its not exact.
2.Also we dont know when the evil leaders decided to attack , as that point would be totally unknown to anyone today.
3.Maybe our calenders are off,as we know that the Jewish "new moon" could be 2 days as we would not be sure of the exact time.
Victor

By: William

William — Sun, 24 Jul 2005 13:40:42 +0000

Rabbi, thank you for helping me to better understand the reality and the "legend" of 9 Av through your research. As a gentile Christian who worked for Jewish businessmen in Baltimore MD in the 50's and 60's it is amazing to me how little that I learned from them, especially about their spiritual lives, even though I remember expressing my strong interest to them. You statement intrigued me, "We know that the 9 Av is a terrible day initially because of the hurban. But over time, 9 Av takes on a life of its own as a day of tragedy for the Jewish people." Is it possible that is just what G-D intended. Another day of remembering of how much the Chosen People have suffered, and G-D forbid, may still yet suffer in the future. Psalm 122:6

By: Bob

Bob — Mon, 26 Jul 2004 15:55:45 +0000

This is an excellent post, I assume that people began connecting the crusades and the like with Tisha b'Av because we say Kinnot that relate to them. They assumed incorrectly that the reason for doing so was due a historic connection. In reality, it was because, as you point out, the meaning behind all tragidies can probably be traced to the ones that befell us in ancient times, sinat chinam etc. We have not correct those, therefore no temple and therefore a continuation of tragic events.