An estimated 50,000 Israelis crowded into the 75-acre square facing the Western Wall last night to usher in Tisha b’Av, the ninth day of the Hebrew month of Av, commemorating the destruction of the Second Temple, except for that wall, by the Roman general Titus exactly 1,900 years ago. Synagogues here and in other Israeli cities were filled with worshipers who heard recitals of the Old Testament scroll of Lamentations. Radio and television broadcasts were limited to news and programs befitting the solemn nature of the occasion, which the Orthodox hold to be a day of mourning. But only a small minority of Israelis fast, and restaurants throughout the country were open for business as usual. The Orthodox among the worshipers at the Wall had not cut their facial hair for three weeks, the period of Titus’ attack on this city prior to the destruction of the Second Temple, which had been built by Herod. Modes of dress ranged from military uniforms to informal shorts and slacks, with only a few wearing the black rabbinical robes. Head coverings were in colors as well as black. Many of those attending were youthful–including a blind man who prayed from a Braille Bible. It was noted that no other observance by any other ethnic or religious grouping has been maintained over so many years. Only from 1948 to 1967, when Jordan controlled the Wall, were there no gatherings there. The observance ends at sundown tonight.
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
