Jewish Holidays

Tisha B’Av

Fast of Av

“Hope rebuilds the ruins of Jerusalem. The Jewish people kept hope alive and hope kept the Jewish people alive. That is the message of Tisha B’Av.” — Rabbi Jonathan Sacks

When is Tisha B’Av 2026

9 Av 5786


Begins: Sundown on Wednesday 22 July 2026
Ends: Nightfall on Thursday 23 July 2026

Videos on Tisha B’Av

Jewish Unity: Three Reflections

An engaging tool to open up discussions around Tisha b’Av, and the Three Weeks, featuring three clips from Rabbi Sacks discussing Jewish unity, conflict resolution, and our shared fate.

We are the People that Build

Here is a short message for Tisha B'Av from Rabbi Sacks as we marked this day of mourning on 29th...

Screenshot

Seven Principles for Maintaining Jewish Peoplehood

Starting with the Fast of Tammuz (on the 17th Tammuz), we begin a period in the Jewish calendar known as...

Holocaust Curriculum Resources

Rabbi Sacks answers some deep questions frequently asked about the Holocaust. This series, in partnership with the Holocaust Educational Trust, has been made possible thanks to the generous support of Richard Harris.

What about a statute of limitations?

In April 2020, to coincide with Yom HaShoah, the day in the Jewish calendar dedicated to Holocaust remembrance, and the...

A Just Punishment for the Nazis?

In April 2020, to coincide with Yom HaShoah, the day in the Jewish calendar dedicated to Holocaust remembrance, and the...

How did the Holocaust affect your personal faith?

In April 2020, to coincide with Yom HaShoah, the day in the Jewish calendar dedicated to Holocaust remembrance, and the...

What do you think the Jewish theological response to the Holocaust should be?

In April 2020, to coincide with Yom HaShoah, the day in the Jewish calendar dedicated to Holocaust remembrance, and the...

Read about Tisha B’Av

From The Archives

Essays and writings from Rabbi Sacks' extensive body of work

ARTICLES

Creating Freedom Without Anarchy, Order Without Tyranny

Nine days from now Jewish communities around the world will sit in collective mourning on Tisha b’Av, the day of...

ARTICLES

The Power of Hope – A Thought for Tisha b’Av

The month of Av is the saddest in the Jewish year, and Tisha b’Av is the saddest day. On it...

From Covenant & Conversation

The series of weekly commentary essays on the Torah by Rabbi Sacks

DEVARIM • 5772, 5785

Profits and Prophets

There are few more blazing passages in the whole of religious literature than the first chapter of the book of...