Tisha B'Av

Tisha B’Av, the ninth day of the month of Av, is a day of mourning and fasting when Jewish people commemorate some of the most tragic events of their history, including  the destruction of both First & Second Temples. The prayers are especially emotional at the Western Wall, site closest to where both Temples once stood. During the evening service the book of Lamentations, story of destruction of the First Temple and the siege of Jerusalem, is read aloud, accompanied by sobs and wails from the congregation. Prayers continue the following morning when the mourners  continue to express their sorrow by refraining from wearing tefillin.