Tisha B’Av Night in Jerusalem

Tisha B’Av night in Jerusalem, Israel,

is unlike anywhere else in the world.

Businesses are closed and restaurants shuttered.

photo Ramadan at night

Walking in front of me as I headed toward Jaffa Gate,

which was decorated with Ramadan lights,

were a group of Muslim men and boys out to celebrate.

Behind them were three Jewish men on their way to the Old City.

photo moon over old city of david

Entering Jaffa Gate I love to see the moon over the lights of the Tower of David.

photo western wall

Near the Kotel, the Western Wall, were thousands of people, many sitting on the ground.

photo Western Wall Tisha B'Av

The diversity of the crowd was obvious.

I did not stay too long because again ,

I wanted to see the 19th Walk Around the Walls of the Women in Green.

photo Jerusalem security

Security was stronger this year.

The crowd was large for the middle-of-the-night starting time.

Due to Ramadan celebrations again this year,

 the group had to wait for several hours to start their walk.

DSC_3194b

The route goes around the walls of the Old City, and partially along the Light Rail tracks.

photo Damascus Gate at night

The Damascus Gate was busy and active with Ramadan celebrations.

photo gate of Jerusalem

At Herod’s Gate,

Israeli police, some on horses, observed to insure that the two crowds would not mix.

photo East jerusalem

For the late hour, there were still a lot of people out.

photo walk of Women in Green

At the Lion’s Gate there were speeches,

women sitting on ground

while hundreds of people sat and listened, 

photo Women in Green on Tisha Bav

 I decided to head home.  It was already after 1:00 am.

While the rest of the Jerusalem streets were quiet,

photo Western Wall on Tisha BAv,

the Old City, the Kotel, and the Jewish Quarter

were all filled with thousands of people.

While some left even more kept coming.

Tisha B’Av in Jerusalem looks like a big party.

 

0 thoughts on “Tisha B’Av Night in Jerusalem

  • July 18, 2013 at 12:37 am
    Permalink

    “Tisha Bav in Jerusalem looks like a big party”……What a sad, stupid commet…al eileh ani bochia; Well this is the straw that broke the camel’s back…au revoir.

    Reply
    • July 18, 2013 at 10:16 am
      Permalink

      Sorry you did not like that comment, but just telling it like it been the last three years I have gone. Go at 1:00 am and see for yourself next year, assuming we are still observing mourning and everyone is not celebrating that is.

      Reply
  • July 18, 2013 at 12:38 pm
    Permalink

    You are 100% correct about the fact that unfortunately Yerushalayim on Tisha Bav looks “like a big party” , but you as a Jew should publicly express pain for such a reality…kol tuv.

    Reply
    • July 18, 2013 at 1:04 pm
      Permalink

      Subtle sarcasm does not always come across in writing, something I must always keep in mind. Thanks for commenting.

      Reply
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