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"Tisha b'Av"

July 16th, 2026

Dear Friends,

We celebrate Torah and Shabbat. We celebrate freedom and independence. We marvel at creation and constantly give thanks for its bounty. And we do it all with family, friends and food, with songs, psalms, and stories.

But next Wednesday evening, July 22, we gather for the most difficult day of the Jewish year: Tisha b’Av, the Ninth of Av. It recalls the saddest events in Jewish history, including the destruction of the first and second Temples, all of which occurred on the ninth day of this current month of Av.

On Tisha b’Av, we gather for kinot – lamentations – and many of us fast. Besides Yom Kippur, Tisha b’Av is our only full day fast.

I’ve known some Jews – including clergy – who are opposed to honoring these dark blemishes in Jewish history. But we must do so, for we lament our world’s chronic brokenness. Many of us – fellow humans – continue to be hungry; many are oppressed; many are victims of war. Moreover, the environment – a literal example of the world’s brokenness.

We moreover arrive at this year’s Ninth of Av acutely wary of antisemitism, including here in the United States. We are vigilant about and responsible for our safety, but we also beseech God, especially on the Ninth of Av, to protect us from the slings and arrows of animus.

Perhaps there will come a day – speedily and in our days! – when we will no longer need to lament at all, when our celebrations will be unmarred. Until that time, let us permit ourselves this single day, the Ninth of Av, for lamenting.

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Jeffrey Weill

Classes will resume after the High Holidays