Was Tisha B'Av the saddest day amongst Jewish Community?

Tisha B'Av is unarguably the saddest day on the Jewish calendar. Tisha B'Av is observed on the ninth day of the month of Av. The day is observed in remembrance of the major tragedies that befell the Jewish people so many years in the past. This period is often characterized with mourning, fasting and praying. The major incidences that are remembered during this period is the destruction of the first temple of Jerusalem which was built by King Solomon. This temple was destroyed during the reign of Nebuchadnezzar.

This period also marks the destruction of the second temple built by Ezra and Nehemiah. Another incidence is when the Israelites were thrown into confusion following the reports of the ten people out twelve that Moses sent to spy on the land of Canaan which was promised by God. Also, Jewish people also remember when the Romans captured the fortress city of Beitar which led to the death of over five hundred thousand people.

Yes, Tisha B’Av is considered to be the saddest day of the holidays and remembrances in the Jewish community. First, the main reason it is remembered in the Jewish community is that two temples were destroyed during two different periods in ancient history. They were the Solomon’s Temple, which was damaged in the Neo-Babylonian Empire and the Second Temple’s destruction.

This took place in the Roman Empire. Both of these were located in Jerusalem. Other tragedies that took place for the Jewish people and that are also included in this sad day and are remembered are the Crusades which killed thousands of Jewish people as well as the Holocaust which killed millions of the Jewish people during World War II.