Tisha B’Av, the Ninth of Av, is a day of mourning to commemorate the many tragedies that have befallen the Jewish people, many of which coincidentally have occurred on the ninth of Av.

Tisha B’Av primarily commemorates the destruction of the first and second Temples, both of which were destroyed on the ninth of Av (the first by the Babylonians in 586 B.C.E.; the second by the Romans in 70 C.E.). Many calamities occurred on this day, most notably the expulsion of the Jews from Spain in 1492.

In synagogue, the book of Lamentations is read and mourning prayers are recited. The ark is draped in black during services.