Tisha BeAv (תשעה באב) in Hebrew means the ninth day in the month of Av in the Hebrew calendar. When the 9th of Av falls on a Saturday, Tisha BeAv is observed on the 10th of Av.
This day of mourning marks the day of destruction of the first and second Beit HaMikdash (Temple), leading to the expulsion of Jews from Israel.
Destruction of the First Temple by the Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar in 586 BCE.
Bible Reference: Jeremiah Chapter 39
in the ninth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the tenth month, came Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon and all his army against Jerusalem, and besieged it;
in the eleventh year of Zedekiah, in the fourth month, the ninth day of the month, a breach was made in the city --
Other events that took place on Tisha Beav
- The Second Temple was destroyed by the Romans in 70 CE (see History of Israel).
- Ten of the 12 spies that were sent by Moses returned after 40 days of exploring the land of Israel and "spread an evil report of the land..." "and the people wept that night" (Bible reference: Numbers, 13:32; Numbers 14:1
- Expulsion of Jews from Spain in 1492.
- Start of World War I with Germany declaring war on Russia (see reference).
Reading from the Tanach
On the evening of Tisha Beav, the Book of Lamentations (איכה) is read.