It is not unusual for the Jewish people by the tens of thousands to flock to the Western Wall to commemorate Tisha B’Av each year to pray, recite liturgy and/or the book of Lamentations, or simply sit in solemn silence on this annual day of mourning and remembrance of the destruction of the Temples in ancient Jerusalem.
Falling on the ninth day of the month of Av on the Jewish calendar, Tisha B’Av recalls the destruction of both the First and Second Temples. Solomon’s Temple was plundered and destroyed by the Babylonian kingdom under the rule of King Nebechadnezzar. Later in history, the Second Temple was destroyed by Roman invaders and burned to ashes under the rule of Titus. Rabbinic tradition decided to commemorate the date going forward.
--Written by Erin Parfet.
