July 30: Tisha B'Av

The ninth day of the Hebrew month of Av, known as Tisha B'Av, is the saddest day on the Jewish calendar.

The 25-hour fast was initially instituted to commemorate the destruction of the two Holy Temples in ancient Jerusalem and other associated tragedies of that era.

But over the course of Jewish history, the day has accumulated a long list of late summer tragedies, including the beginning of the First Crusade in 1096; the expulsion of the Jews from England in 1290, France in 1306, and Spain in 1492; and the start of World War I in 1914.

Even in times of relative peace, Tisha B'Av is used as a way to express and contain communal sorrow.

Marcus Fried wrote the poem "Tisha B'Av" for the June/July 1952 edition of "New Horizons." The newsletter was produced by residents of the Jewish Home for the Aged, now called the Jewish Association on Aging.

Fried came to the Home after living in Beaver Falls, Pa. He joined the staff of "New Horizons" as a printer. But he soon discovered a hidden talent for writing, and he often contributed poetry to the monthly publication.

Fried died on Sept. 8, 1952, just a few months after writing this poem.

IMAGES: Top: "Tisha B'Av" (Jewish Association on Aging Records, 2018.0028); Bottom: Marcus Fried (seated left) and staff of the "New Horizon," photograph by William F. Mahon (Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph, June 12, 1949)

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