The Three Weeks and the Nine Days

12 Tammuz 5771 July 14, 2011 • Holiday

The 17th of Tammuz through Tisha B’Av (The 9th day of the Hebrew month of Av) is the period we refer to as “The Three Weeks”. During this time, we mourn the destruction of the Beit Hamikdash (The Holy Temple). On the 17th of Tammuz, the enemy breached the walls of Jerusalem. On Tisha B’Av, both the first and second temples were destroyed. Our mourning begins on the 17th of Tammuz and intensifies as Tisha B’Av approaches.

There are 5 periods of mourning that we go through:

  1. From the 17th of Tammuz until the 1st of Av.
  2. The first nine days of the month of Av (referred to as The Nine Days).
  3. The week in which Tisha B’Av occurs.
  4. Erev Tisha B’Av-the day before Tisha B’Av.
  5. Tisha B’Av day.