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The Holocaust and Tisha B’Av
Sundown July 26, 2023 to Sundown July 27, 2023

Tonight marks the beginning of Tisha B’Av (or the Ninth of Av), which is a solemn day of mourning in the Jewish calendar. It falls on the ninth day of the month of Av, which usually corresponds to late July or early August in the Gregorian calendar. On this day, Jewish people around the world commemorate a series of tragic events that have occurred throughout history, primarily focusing on the destruction of the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem.

In addition to the destruction of the Temples, Tisha B’Av also commemorates other tragedies that have befallen the Jewish people throughout history. These include the expulsion of Jews from Spain in 1492 and the outbreak of World War I, which set in motion a series of events leading to the Holocaust.

There is a direct connection between Tisha B’Av and the Holocaust, and it is a significant one. On the eve of the Ninth of Av in the Jewish calendar, July 22, 1942, the Germans commenced mass deportations from the Warsaw ghetto to Treblinka extermination camp. The timing of the deportations to Treblinka on this solemn day added another layer of anguish and sorrow to the devastation and murder of Jews already underway. Reflecting on this point serves as a reminder of the deliberate cruelty and disregard for human lives exhibited by the perpetrators of the Holocaust.

By observing Tisha B’Av, Jewish people remember the tragedies of the past, reflect on the consequences of destructive actions, and strive for a better future. It serves as a reminder of the importance of unity, compassion, and working towards a world free from antisemitism, hatred and destruction.