(א) אֵיכָ֣ה ׀ יָשְׁבָ֣ה בָדָ֗ד הָעִיר֙ רַבָּ֣תִי עָ֔ם הָיְתָ֖ה כְּאַלְמָנָ֑ה רַבָּ֣תִי בַגּוֹיִ֗ם שָׂרָ֙תִי֙ בַּמְּדִינ֔וֹת הָיְתָ֖ה לָמַֽס׃ {ס}
(1) Alas! Lonely sits the city Once great with people! She that was great among nations Is become like a widow; The princess among states Is become a thrall.
You know that at Sefaria we're all about learning Torah. However, on the mournful day of Tisha B'Av, it is customary to refrain from the joys of study, save for a few select texts. To enhance your preparation, we want to share helpful resources for the weeks leading up to Tisha B'Av, as well as those texts traditionally read on the day itself.
This year, Sefaria presents a new English translation of Eikhah Rabbah, an ancient midrash on the Book of Lamentations (Eikhah). Released as part of our original translation of the complete Midrash Rabbah, Eikhah Rabbah includes stories and verse-by-verse commentary on Eikhah's telling of the destruction of Jerusalem.
In addition, our library includes the entire Seder Tisha B'Av recited by Eidot HaMizrach communities and Kinnot read in Ashkenazi communities on Tisha B'Av. Some Jews also follow a custom of reading the Book of Job on Tisha B'Av, available on Sefaria in Hebrew and translation.
Looking for perspectives to complement those foundational texts? Try these:
- In the Narrow Places: Daily Inspiration for the Three Weeks by Dr. Erica Brown includes short essays and thoughtful prompts for each day between the 17th of Tammuz and Tisha B'Av.
- The sheet collection "Tisha B'Av and Tu B'Av: Letting Go and Building Anew" invites reflection through writing, painting, and source study. Created by Rabbi Margie Jacobs for Jewish Studio Process mindful art sessions, this collection guides readers from the heartbreak of the Three Weeks to Tu B'Av's celebration of love.
- In the Talmudic story of Kamtza and bar Kamtza, an interpersonal conflict causes the destruction of the second temple. Examine Sefaria users' various interpretations of this tale with the learning department's curated sheet collection.
With Tisha B'Av approaching, that means a new school year is just around the corner for many educators. There's still time to schedule a professional development workshop for the fall with Sefaria's learning team on topics ranging from individualized learning pathways to b'nai mitzvah prep to student engagement. We look forward to supporting your teaching again this year!