As Jews worldwide prepare to observe Tisha B'Av, the most solemn day in the Jewish calendar, newly unearthed archival photos offer a poignant glimpse into how the day was marked in Israel's formative years. The images, released by Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael-Jewish National Fund, depict soldiers and civilians engaged in prayer and reflection.
Tisha B'Av, or the ninth day of the Hebrew month of Av, commemorates the fall of the two ancient Israelite kingdoms, including the destruction of both ancient Temples. The day also marks a series of other tragic events that occurred on or around this date, including the devastating defeat of the Bar Kokhba revolt and the expulsion from Spain, and most recently, some say, the decree of the Final Solution.
Throughout Israel's history, the Tisha B'Av fast has been widely observed and documented by photographers who captured the profound sorrow expressed by many on this solemn day.
The KKL-JNF archives have yielded rare photographs of the fast day across the country, documenting observances during the state's founding period and its early years. The images show, among other scenes, soldiers praying and observing mourning customs at an IDF base, as well as a mass prayer gathering at the Western Wall in Jerusalem. The photos vividly illustrate the continuity of Jewish tradition throughout the state's early days.
Commenting on the release of these photos, Director of Archives at KKL-JNF Efrat Sinai, said, "The archives document numerous pivotal moments in Israel's history – from settlement and revival to leaders and pioneers, holidays and festivals. We continue to uncover significant photographs from JNF's extensive collection, which chronicles the land of Israel and its landscapes from the early 20th century to the present day."
