×
Friend,    With Purim right around the corner, Sefaria is busy preparing for the “Purim bump” — the increase in users who visit Sefaria to celebrate the holiday. Last year, more than 100,000 people visited the library or used the app to connect with the holiday or read along with Megillat Esther. This year we’re expecting even more.    To help with our text and tech preparations ahead of this busy time, a generous Jewish foundation is matching all gifts to the library up to $36,000.    Please give today to help us meet your learning needs!     
Save "Teaching about Loss, the Temples, and Baseless Hatred"
Teaching about Loss, the Temples, and Baseless Hatred
Next week is the 17th of Tammuz, a fast day that begins the mournful three-week period leading up to Tisha B'Av. These events commemorate communal loss, most notably the destruction of the ancient Temples in Jerusalem.
Whatever age group or setting in which you're teaching, we have some helpful resources on Sefaria for learning about this time on the Hebrew calendar.

4 Go-To Texts for the Three Weeks

Eikhah (Lamentations), read publicly on Tisha B'Av, laments the destruction of the first Temple. It's available on Sefaria with several English translations, including the 1985 JPS edition, Koren Jerusalem Bible, Metsudah Five Megillot, and The Rashi Ketuvim by Rabbi Shraga Silverstein.
  • To browse available translations, tap on any passage to open the resource panel and select 'Translations.'
  • You can also use the resource panel to explore commentaries and related texts, such as Eikhah Rabbah in Hebrew and complete English translation.
In the Narrow Places: Daily Inspiration for the Three Weeks by Dr. Erica Brown includes short essays and prompts for reflection for each day from the 17th of Tammuz to Tisha B'Av. The daily format makes it easy to pull individual ideas for lessons or group discussions.
The War of the Jews by Josephus Flavius documents Jewish history from the Maccabean revolt through the fall of the second Temple. Composed around 75 CE under sponsorship of the Roman Empire, it reflects a pro-Roman bias but holds historical significance as one of the only surviving sources describing the wars remembered during the Three Weeks.
The Babylonian Talmud cites a story of baseless hatred between Kamtza and Bar Kamtza as the reason for the Temple's destruction. Find the rabbinic story in Gittin 55b-57a, along with commentary from Rashi and Tosefta in English translation via the resource panel.

Made Just for You

Looking for handpicked sources and activities? Explore the Tisha B'Av on Sefaria collection — including discussion prompts, activities, and ideas from other educators.

Explore by Topic

Have you used Sefaria's topic pages? These are a great way to explore a wide variety of sources in the library around specific themes. Try Tisha B'Av, The 17th of Tammuz, Destruction of the Temple, Lamentations, Av, or Fasting.
We use cookies to give you the best experience possible on our site. Click OK to continue using Sefaria. Learn More.OKאנחנו משתמשים ב"עוגיות" כדי לתת למשתמשים את חוויית השימוש הטובה ביותר.קראו עוד בנושאלחצו כאן לאישור