Tisha B’Av Around Jerusalem

Tisha B’Av in Jerusalem, Israel, is unique.

On the ninth day of the Hebrew month of Av,

for centuries, Jews around the world

 sat on the ground as a sign of mourning for Jerusalem,

and read Eicha, the Book of Lamentations.

 I went to ‘Walk Around the Walls’ again after Shabbat.

Last year Tisha B’Av coincided with Ramadan

and even at midnight there was a huge crowd

at Sha’ar Shechem, Damascus Gate.

   This year all was quiet,

as the Israeli-flag waving crowd walked by,

with only a few Arabs in sight near police barriers.

Going past Herod’s Gate,

the atmosphere was very different

from Tisha B’Av of last year.

Although it was a few days ago,

I still want to share that night,

and the beautiful sites around the Old City Walls.

As Lion’s Gate and midnight approached

   we passed this man walking with two young boys.

Spectacular views were of Har Hazetim, Mount of Olives,

across from the Old City Walls,

and the impressive major excavations.

But most impressive,

was the huge crowd at the Kotel, the Western Wall,

where tens of thousands came,

some to sit and sing sad songs,

others to pray, or to spend the night.

People were coming and going all night long

to the Old City of Jerusalem.

But nearby at Sha’ar Yaffo, Jaffa Gate,

 Mamilla Mall was closed and quiet,

as were all entertainment and most food places.

Tisha B’Av in Jerusalem, Israel,

is not like anywhere else in the world.

More photos of Walk on Facebook, HERE.

But,

after the mourning of Tisha B’Av comes

Tu B’Av,

and party time celebrations grow every year,

this one is to take place in the Jerusalem Forest.