Historic photo of Jerusalem, circa 1900 (possibly) or ten plus years or so earlier
Tonight is the beginning of the most solemn day on the Jewish calendar, the 9th day of the month of Av, in which the first and second Holy Temples in Jerusalem were destroyed. Every year on this day, the Jewish people mourn for the destruction of the temple, and pray for its return.
While many Jews and certainly many who are not Jewish have no knowledge of this temple, the first of which is often referred to as King Soloman's Temple, the destruction and our hopes for its revival are something we think about every single day! And for that reason, the 9th of Av is truly a day of mourning in which we (all healthy individuals over the age of bar/bat mitzvah) abstain from eating and drinking, bathing, wearing leather shoes, and all joyful activity. We dress simply and in an unadorned manner, without makeup or perfume, we sit on low chairs and benches, or on the floor. We are mourners, lamenting the loss of something so precious, that we have not forgotten, even over the course of thousands of years. Our great temple, the Beis HaMikdash, was an amazing house of worship which brought peace to the entire world and to all peoples.
This year the 9th of Av actually falls on Shabbat, and since we are not allowed to mourn on shabbat, the fast is delayed until Saturday night. So shabbat shalom and wishing all those fasting an easy fast!
You can certainly learn more about this interesting holiday from Rabbi Google.
And since crafting is allowed for children, do take a look in the archives for Tisha B'Av crafts, to find some relevant and interesting crafts suited for the holiday.
