Mormon Mentality - Thoughts and Asides by Peculiar People

By danithew

Jul. 23rd, 2007 at 5:31 pm

Beginning at sunset tonight and ending at sunset tomorrow is Tisha B’Av.

The first and second Jewish temples were destroyed approximately 656 years apart – but each of these fateful events happened on the same date (month and day) in the Jewish calendar – a date that is referred to as Tisha B’Av or the 9th of Av.

It is commonly described as “the saddest day in the Jewish calendar” and it is generally the day that Jewish people contemplate the historic tragedies that have befallen them.

You can read more about Tisha B’Av here and here.

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1. Nick Literski

Mon, Jul 23, 2007 @ 5:54pm

Ironically (and I’m sure without active planning), the rebuilt Nauvoo Temple was dedicated on the final day of Tish Ba’av that year. I thought that was a nice touch.

2. Ben There

Mon, Jul 23, 2007 @ 6:04pm

Not to threadjack, but this is sort of related. The Jewish Feasts of Unleavened Bread and Tabernacles generally tend to coincide with our General Conference dates, to an extent. I have always thought that was not coincidental. Just as in times of old, the congregation of Israel would convene in one area to hear their prophets and priests, so too do we, around the very same times of year. Just another part of the restoration, I figure.

3. danithew

Wed, Jul 25, 2007 @ 9:20am

Just an note – yesterday an orthodox co-worker of mine came in to work. Instead of sitting in her regular office chair she had a low stool she was sitting on. Sitting on a very low stool or sitting on the floor seems to be one of the ways that Jewish people recognize the sadness of this date on which the temples were destroyed.

I had read that Jewish people do this in the synagogues – but I wasn’t aware they might also do this at home or even in the workplace.

4. annegb

Wed, Jul 25, 2007 @ 9:26am

I’m just finishing up My Name is Asher Lev, and recall a reference to the Jews having a day of mourning involving the Holocaust. Is this the same day?