Thread by @GREENESJ333

Roger Froikin @rlefraim wrote, "THE 9TH OF THE MONTH OF AV

TISHA B’AV

One might assume that all Jews know something about this date in the Hebrew Calendar. It commemorates the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem 2000 years ago.
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Since then, many, many tragedies that have been suffered by the Jewish People have shared this date.

So, there is a custom that we fast and that in the three weeks preceding the 9th of Av, we make certain sacrifices of convenience and comfort as well to help us remember.
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But there is more to it - a lot more - that people, in general have forgotten, but which our sages noted that made this date much more significant, much more important than just an event 2000 years ago in Jerusalem.
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The Destruction of the Beit Hamikdash (the Temple) in Jerusalem was important, not just because it happened, but because of what happened with it, because of it, and after it, and what horrible consequences for the Jewish People followed it.
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First was the complete loss of whatever Jewish Home rule remained. Second was the fact that over the years before and after the Temple’s demise, the Population of Israel was intentionally reduced from 1.8 million, in 4 BCE (the Roman Census) to less than 50,000,
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with masses of Jews having been killed and with 300,000 being taken as slaves to Italy.

Jews worldwide, and that means at the time 4.4 million, who lived outside Israel but in the Roman Empire, spread acorss North Africa, Asia Minor, Italy, and
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west to Southern France and Spain, were so demoralized, so culturally shocked, that many, a majority, looked for answers in cults, and sadly, a majority of them became early Christians, leaving less than 1 million Jews by about 250 CE.
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Think about it. In the Shoah we lost 1/3 of our population. After the Destruction and demoralization that led to conversions throughout the Empire and murder of Jews in Israel, it took 85% of our population.
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So, understand that this tragedy that we commemorate on the 9th of Av was a tragedy of immense importance in many ways.
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The scroll of Eicha (Lamentations) is read in the synagogue during the evening services. In many Sephardic congregations, the Book of Job is read on the morning of Tisha B'Av.
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Those called to the Torah reading on Tisha B'Av are not given the usual congratulations for this honor.

Both readings are designed to make one understand that in the worst circumstances - we can get through them with knowledge and faith."
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