From ancient times, the 9th day of the Hebrew month Av—Tisha B’Av–has been observed as a fast day (it is mentioned as the “fast of the fifth month” in Zechariah 7:3-5,…

Of the many non-commanded biblical feast and fast days commemorated in Judaism, Tisha b’Av is the most somber. Literally translated as the ninth day of Av, which is the fourth…