Tisha Be’Av

Nine Days of Av

Nine Days of Av

Sharon A

Rosh Chodesh Av starts the annual period of mourning in the Jewish calendar before the fast of Tisha b’Av, the 9th of the month of Av, which commemorates the destruction of both the First and Second Temples and other catastrophic events that befell the Jewish people.

With restrictions on live music, eating meat and drinking wine, there is a more somber mood this week in Jerusalem, Israel.

This year, however, the World Cup final provided and excuse for some to hold large gatherings to watch the game: at the Tower of David, street cafes and many outdoor venues.

Hinnom Valley Food Truck Festival in Jerusalem , Israel

This summer there is something new called Auto Ochel, food trucks in Valley of Hinnom.  The restaurants featured this week provided dairy meals for the Nine Days.

For this week, celebrations are limited, as for example, no Jewish weddings are held, in order to remember the destruction. 

Beit Hamikdash model at Israel Museum

This model of the Second Temple stands outside at the Israel Museum.

Corner stone from Beit Hamikdash in Israel Museum

Inside the museum a stone salvaged from its destruction in Jerusalem so many centuries ago is on display.

This time of year I remember the beautiful town of Yamit which was destroyed in 1981 in order to return every grain of sand in the Sinai peninsula back to Egypt as part of the peace treaty.

photo of photo of Gush Katfi before it was destroyed

Thirteen years have passed since summer of destruction of Gush Katif.  These beautiful homes were in one of the Israeli communities destroyed.

From Gush Katif Museum memorial for destroyed communities.

We are no closer to the promised peace.

Israeli fields have gone up in smoke over past three months. 7,400 acres were burnt.

Today two incendiary balloons from Gaza landed in a nursery school playground.

Sderot JNF playground built inside with bomb shelters

In this photo from Operation Pillar of Defense, November 2012, children in Sderot played inside the bomb-protected playground as missiles were launched at them from Gaza.

Who remembers the Truth about Gaza?

Excavation of new entrance to Western Wall Plaza

Thousands of pilgrims walked up these steps to the Holy Temples of old.

This week we remember the destruction in Jerusalem.

Ir David, City of David, is having a summer festival after Tisha B’Av, with camel rides and workshops.

The 35 th Jerusalem Film Festival begins next week, followed by the annual Wine Festival at the Israel Museum.

Next week we look forward to weddings, music and celebrations, and building new homes, with hope for the future.

19 Photos of Jerusalem on Tisha B’Av

19 Photos of Jerusalem on Tisha B’Av

Sharon A

The Nine Days leading up to Tisha B’Av

are always hot, unless you live in Southern Hemisphere.

This year was no exception,

unless you count hotter than usual temperatures.

Jerusalem, Israel, is known for its cooler evenings,

but the night of Tisha B’Av stayed warm and humid.

People at Gan Haatzmaut reading Eicha

In spite of the uncomfortable weather, thousands ventured out

to sit on the stones and streets to hear a reading of

Eichah, the Book of Lamentations.

At Gan Ha’atzmaut, Independence Park,

Eicha at Gan Haatzmaut

this woman sat on a bollard to listen,

Police man sitting next to motorcycle during Eiacha

while this policeman sat on the ground.

I have joined the Walk around the Walls since 2011,

 security threats seem to be an annual feature of this event.

Walking from Damascus Gate to Lion's Gate

With the recent murders and riots on Temple Mount,

the walk only got permission to proceed at the last minute.

It was hard to get the long line of participants into one photo.

Muslim women working as journalists reporting on Walk around walls

As we approached the Damascus Gate,

the location of many recent troubles,

the Arab media was waiting to record the marchers.

Policemen on horses for security

Police on horses were ready

Walk around Walls of Old City Jerusalem

as the crowd proceed along with Israeli flags.

walking walls Jerusalem

A few stopped to rest near Damascus Gate,

Two men walking on step of Damascus Gate

just before the steps came into view.

Shar Shehem on Tisha B'Av

This year Tisha B’Av fell after Ramadan

and the Damascus Gate was quiet.

Walking around walls of Jerusalem Israel

This is the only time all year

that I walk by this gate

Jerusalem views at night

and around it to capture the dramatic night views on this side of wall,

Gate of Jerusalem Old City

on the way to the Lion’s Gate.

This was the scene of Muslims worshipers

filling the streets and rioting and being controlled by the police.

However, hundreds of Jews filled the same streets

and sat late into the night on the stones peacefully listening

to the Women in Green’s list of speakers.

Continuing around the walls and entering through Dung Gate,

Western Wall has large stones from destruction at base of wall

one sees the huge stones that have remained over the centuries

at the base of the wall,

reminders of the ancient destruction of Jerusalem.

On to the Kotel, the Western Wall,

Tisha BAv Kotel at night

where thousands gathered, to sit, to mourn,

Men's section Kotel for Tisha B'Av

even to spend the night on the ground.

street on Tisha B'Av night

People were arriving throughout the night.

Western Wall Plaza view at night

The gilded of Dome of the Rock,

built over the foundation stone, glimmered above the Kotel lights.

Jerusalem, city of peace, has seen many rulers

and thousands of years of conflict.

This year passed quietly,

the only words one heard on the walk around the walls were

“תודה – Thank you!” over and over,

to the police and security personnel guarding along the route.

Old City Jerusalem Menorah for Temple lit for Tisha B'Av

The lights on the Old City streets were dimmed

for Tisha B’av night,

but the large Temple Menorah glowed brightly.

Walk Around Jerusalem See the Gates

rjstreets

Have you ever walked around Jerusalem?

That is, have you ever walked

around the Walls of the Old City?

On Tisha B’Av night for the last few years,

I have walked around the walls,

and this time I took photos to share with you.

Security was visible,

Tisha B'Av security Jerusalem

but not more than in previous years.

tisha b av Jerusalem march around wall old city

The route starts on Agron Street and goes past the hotels.

With King David Street in the background,

tisha BAv night in Jerusalem Israel

as we turned the corner headed to the Old City,

there were hundreds of people, young and not so young,

some walking with baby carriers and some with canes.

Distances are not what most expect,

New Gate Old City night time Jerusalem israel

for it take only minutes to

 pass the first gate – the New Gate.

tisha BAv crowd in Jerusalem

Everyone walks together as a group

Jerusalem Israel Tisha BAv

carrying dozens of Israel flags,

Damascus Gate Jerusalem Israel

on to a quiet Damascus Gate

Flowers Gate at night Jerusalem

and a quieter Flower Gate.

Jerudsalem Rockefeller Museum at night

 We walked by the Rockefeller Museum on the left.

Old City walk at night

Before you know it,

Jerusalem signs

it is time to turn the corner.

Jerusalem old city walls at night

The lights on the walls of the Old City

shone brightly against the dark sky.

Lion's Gate Old City Jerusalem

Soon we approached the Lion’s Gate,

Night Old City Walls Jerusalem Israel

on a street closed to traffic and quiet,

in stark contrast to the Kotel,

Kotel at night Tisha BAv

the Western Wall.

Tens of thousands came to mourn,

some sit all night on the stones.

View of Western Wall on Tisha B'av night

Every day thousand of people come to Old City,

but not many have walked around the walls.

I hope you have enjoyed this brief tour,

and perhaps you will come soon to see for yourself.

Jerusalem, Israel, on Tisha B’Av,

 a unique experience.

Additional photos HERE