The Christian Jewish RootsSýnishorn

As we enter the month of August we enter the Jewish month of Av. Jews all over the world hold onto the conviction that history isn’t haphazard; events – even terrible ones – are a part of God’s Divine plan and have spiritual meaning. In short, there is no Hebrew equivalent word for the English word coincidence.

The 9th of Av, [July 31st – August 1, 2017] or Tisha B’Av is a day of fasting for every Torah-believing Jew, as they feel its a day set aside by God for suffering. It is indeed a solemn day for all Torah-believing and Torah-practicing Jews. Let me highlight a few of the events that happened on that day that has resulted in this day being honored as a day of fasting in Israel, and day to do  as they say in Hebrew tzedakah or righteous acts of charity.

The events of Numb.14 happened on the 9th of Av in the year 1313 BCE. The Israelites’ murmuring and rebellion and God’s subsequent judgment of 40 years wilderness wandering awarded to them happened on that day. 

The First Temple of Solomon was also destroyed by fires that were lit by the Babylonians on the 9th of Av [423 BCE]. Five centuries later in 69 CE, the Romans destroyed the Second Temple built by Herod and burnt it on the 9th of Av. The Jews who resisted the Romans under their leader Simon bar Kochba in 133 CE, were all brutally butchered in the final battle at Betar on the 9th of Av. 

Years later, the Jews were expelled from England in 1290 CE on the 9th of Av, and the edict of expulsion of Jews from Spain on March 31, 1492 within four months, again fell on the 9th of Av. 

World War II and the holocaust that resulted in the total killing of over 6 million Jews by Hitler followed World War I, which incidentally started when Germany declared War on Russia on the 9th of Av.

Never forget  - The Jewish calendar is important to God, Israel and the Church as as all important events both for Israel and the Church have occurred on the same days!