Tisha B’Av — The Ninth of Av
Hebrew: תִּשְׁעָה בְּאָב | When: 9 Av
Tisha B’Av: The Seed of Redemption
The national day of mourning for the destruction of both Temples and other calamities that fell on this date. Yet in Chabad, Tisha B’Av is also called “the birthday of Moshiach” — the moment of greatest darkness contains within it the seed of ultimate redemption.
Why the Temple Was Destroyed
The Talmud teaches: “The Second Temple was destroyed because of sinat chinam” — causeless hatred between Jews. Chabad: the antidote is ahavat chinam — causeless love. The redemption will come when the Jewish people achieve the unity that was lost.
Eicha: The Book of Lamentations
The Book of Lamentations (Eicha) is read on Tisha B’Av. The Alter Rebbe noted that Eicha (אֵיכָה) has the same letters as Ayeka (אַיֶּכָּה) — “Where are you?” — God’s call to Adam after the sin. The exile is a cosmic “Where are you?” — when God asks and we don’t answer.
The Inner Dimension of the Temple
The Temple (Beit HaMikdash) represents the highest level of dirah betachtonim — God’s dwelling fully manifest in the physical world. Its destruction represents the concealment of that manifest presence. The work of rebuilding begins with the inner Temple — the Divine dwelling in each person’s heart — through Torah, prayer, and mitzvot.
Sources
- Tanya, Iggeret HaKodesh
- Alter Rebbe
- The Rebbe, Tisha B’Av teachings