How to Have a Meaningful Fast on Tisha B’av

**I am an Amazon Affiliate and may receive a commission on purchases made through my links below, at no extra cost to you.**

I understand that it may seem cliché, but it can be challenging to mourn for a building that was destroyed almost 2,000 years ago. However, as we observe the progression of the Jewish calendar into the Three Weeks and Tisha B’Av (the 9th of Av), it’s crucial to find ways to make our fast days meaningful and to properly mourn the loss of the Beis Hamikdash (Holy Temple).

First and foremost, I truly believe that learning Megilas Eicha (Lamentations) and the history of the Roman destruction of Bayis Sheini (the 2nd Temple) can help put a person in the right frame of mind as we approach the most bitter time of the Jewish year. Two books I would recommend are History of the Jewish People vol. 1- 2nd Temple Era (Artscroll) and Josephus’ Wars of the Jews. (Meam Loez is also good and gives some moral instruction.)

Another level to add to the proper mindset for the mourning of the Three Weeks is to study Kinos – the poems of mourning that are specifically read on the morning of Tisha B’Av). I have found the Mesorat Harav Kinos to really be helpful in learning about the deeper meaning of kinos. I always like more than one approach to a topic, and the now-classic Artscroll kinos also help give great interpretations to the kinos. That being said, classical Jewish literature teaches that when the prophet Yirmiyahu (Jeremiah) found out that the righteous Yoshiyahu Hamelech (King Josiah) died, he composed a dirge to show his mourning. The connection between this dirge and the kinos written about the Mikdash teach us that the death of a righteous person is like the destruction of the Temple. 

Historically we also know that there were kinos written about the destruction of Ashkenazi communities during the era of the crusades as well as one written about the French burning of the Talmud in Paris  

From this we can extrapolate that we should also learn about more recent tragedies of national importance such as the Holocaust. Some books that have helped me get into the proper mood for these sad days that are upon us are Unheeded Cry, Heroine of Rescue, To Vanquish the Dragon, The Forgotten Memories, The Klausenberger Rebbi, A Blaze in the Darkening Gloom, and Rav Gustman to name a few.

Preparing for a meaningful Tisha B’av starts by reviewing and learning about related subject material well beforehand. Make sure to leave yourself time to prepare!