Tisha B'Av in Australia

 This year: Tuesday, August 13th, 2024

Australia is one of the countries that have a strong presence of Jewish community. That is why in Australia, many Jewish celebrations and events are observed. One of these events is the Tisha B'Av. This event recalls the tragic events in the history of Jews. There are five sad events being remembered in Tisha B'Av.

Tisha B'Av Background

Also known as the “The Ninth of Av”, Tisha B'Av is a Jewish event that remembers the destruction of two Jewish temples and other tragic events in the Jewish history.  Tisha B'Av happens on 9th day of the month of Av in the Jewish calendar.

First Temple was built during the ruling of King Solomon, which was destroyed when the Babylonians invaded Jerusalem. Second Temple was built on the same site, and it was again destroyed by the Romans when they invaded Jerusalem. About 656 years apart, the two temples were destroyed on same day—9th day of the month of Av. Tisha B'Av originated from the tragic destruction of these Jewish Temples.

Apart from the temples' destruction, Tisha B'Av also recalls two more unfortunate events in the Jewish history. These events are expulsion of Jewish community in England and in Spain. It was in 1290 when the Jewish people were expelled in England, and it was in 1492 when they were expelled in Spain—both happened in the ninth day of the month of Av.

Tisha B'Av Australia

Tisha B'Av is not a public holiday in Australia. In remembrance of tragic events that happened on 9th of Av, the Jewish community in this country spend the day mourning, reflecting, and fasting. In fact, some of the Jewish people start remembering the tragic events as soon as the first day of the month of Av. Jewish community in Australia is not allowed to engage in merry-making happenings during Tisha B'Av. There are number of prohibited activities in time for the commemoration of the tragic events that happened in Jewish people. The purpose for these restricted activities is to let the Jewish community feel the pain and tragedy that happened on 9th of Av.

Fasting is an important part in Tisha B'Av. It starts in eve of the Tisha B'Av and ends on night of the event. Some Jewish people in Australia do not fast when Tisha B'Av falls on the rest day, or the Shabbat day, and they do the fasting on the following day instead.

Tisha B'Av’s Restricted Activities

 There are activities that are not allowed to perform in the observance of the tragic events that took place on the ninth of Av. These activities include:

• Eating and drinking
• Taking a bath
• Anointing of oil
• Wearing nice clothes and leather footwear
• Sexual encounters and other pleasurable activities