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The saddest day on the Jewish calendar is the Ninth of Av, “Tisha b'Av," the date on which both our Holy Temples were destroyed, and exile, persecution and spiritual darkness began.
Tisha b'Av starts at sundown of the eighth of Av and lasts till the following nightfall. During this time-period we fast, eschew pleasurable activities and amenities, and lament the destruction of the Holy Temple and our nation’s exile.
It is a tradition, however, that Tisha b'Av is also the birthday of our Redeemer. This symbolizes the idea that from the ashes of the destroyed temple will rise an incomparably magnificent edifice; exile will give birth to redemption. Thus Tisha b’Av is also a day of anticipation and hope, for “One who mourns Jerusalem will merit seeing her happiness."
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