News & Shmooze - Chabad of the Bay Area

Tisha B'Av Service - Wednesday Eve

Friday, July 24, 2020 - 4:46 PM

Tisha B'Av is the major fast day that commemorates the destruction of the two Holy Temples in Jerusalem.

IN PERSON EVENING SERVICE

We will be having an IN-PERSON (with mandatory masks, hand-sanitization and spread out, physically distanced seating) service, with the traditional reading of Eicha (Book of Lamentations), on Tisha B'Av Eve, Wednesday, July 29 at 8:30 pm.

WHEN IS THE FAST?

Starts Wednesday Evening, July 29 at 8:15 pm
Ends Thursday, July 30 at 8:40 pm
Please note that fast times are local to the Clear Lake Area

How to Observe: Tisha B'av

Friday, July 24, 2020 - 4:06 PM

What is Tisha B'Av

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 preceding day 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.

Basic Laws of Tisha B'av

Besides fasting, we abstain from additional pleasures: washing, applying lotions or creams, wearing leather footwear, and marital relations. Until midday, we sit on the floor or on low stools. We also abstain from studying Torah—besides those parts that discuss the destruction of the Temple.

On the eve of Tisha b’Av, we gather in the synagogue to read the Book of Lamentations. Tallit and tefillin are not worn during the morning prayers. After the morning prayers we recite Kinot (elegies). We don the tallit and tefillin for the afternoon prayers.

For more about Tisha B'av, click here.

No Parsha class this week 7/30

Thursday, July 23, 2020 - 9:42 PM

The Let's Learn Parsha class will not be held on this coming Thursday, July 30th due to the observance of Tisha B'Av.

We will resume our regular weekly schedule on Thursday, August 6 at 7:00 pm.

Video Clip of the Week!

Friday, July 17, 2020 - 1:48 PM

WATCH HERE - Invocation by Rabbi Yitzchok Schmukler at the opening of the League City Council Meeting - July 14, 2020.

(Hit the play button on the page. The Invocation is within the first few minutes).

Starts Monday: READ Hebrew!

Friday, July 17, 2020 - 10:24 AM

READ HEBREW IN JUST 5 LESSONS!
Great opportunity!

Classes on Zoom!
Have your student materials delivered to your home!
Interactive, step-by-step learning with an experienced teacher!

Hebrew RIIH - 2020 Zoom 125.jpg

View course info page

Class Schedule:
5 Mondays at 7:00 pm
Starting July 20th

Two Steps:

Order your student flash cards from Amazon
We can give you a loaner set for the first class, and if you order soon, you can still get your cards in time for the 2nd class!
Register for the Class
Only $18 suggested donation for the entire series
Sponsorship welcome

Have any questions? More info?
Reply to this email or call us at 281-724-1554

Tisha B'Av and "The Three Weeks"

Thursday, July 16, 2020 - 7:11 AM

The Three Weeks is an annual mourning period that falls out in the summer, when we mourn the destruction of the Holy Temple and the start of our exile.

The period begins on the 17th of the Hebrew month of Tammuz, a fast day that marks the day when the walls of Jerusalem were breached by the Romans in 69 CE.

It reaches its climax and concludes with the fast of the 9th of Av ("Tisha B'Av"), the date when both Holy Temples were set aflame. This is the saddest day of the Jewish calendar, and it is also the date of other tragedies spanning our nation’s history.

The Fast of Tisha B'Av runs from sunset Wednesday night, July 29 until nightfall Thursday, July 30, 2020.

Observances: There are various mourning-related customs and observances that are followed for the entire three-week period. We do not cut our hair, purchase new clothes, or listen to music. No weddings are held.

[Learn more about The Three Weeks...]