The Jewish Fast of Av is a period of fasting, lamentation, and prayer in memory of the destruction of both the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem. When the Babylonians under Nebuchadnezzar destroyed the First Temple in 586 BCE, the Jews rebuilt it, but continued the fast day. Then the Second Temple was destroyed by the Romans in 70 CE, and a long period of exile began for the Jews. The nine days from the beginning of Av through Tisha b’Av mark a period of intense mourning for the various disasters and tragedies that have befallen the Jewish people throughout history. Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary