On Monday at sundown, Jews worldwide began the annual fast day of Tisha B’Av, which lasts until nightfall on Tuesday. The fast day principally mourns the destruction of the two ancient Jewish temples that stood in Jerusalem and that were destroyed millennia ago.
But over time, whether by design or chance, a series of other Jewish calamities have occurred on the same day, and some have also worried that the lessons Jewish sages drew from the destruction of the temples — that in-fighting among Jews teed up their destruction — are not being heeded today.
Iran is cognizant of the Jewish calendar, and several analysts have posited it could choose the date to attack, aware of its symbolism for Jews.
“I find myself sitting and worrying — and no, not because of the threat from Iran or Lebanon, but because of what we’ve become,” Dina Epshtein wrote on Facebook from Israel as the fast began there. “Because of the legitimacy we’ve given to uncompromising hatred.”
Israelis have been bracing themselves for an Iranian attack since the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran on July 31, with fears that the strike could trigger a broader war. READ MORE
Israel has not confirmed nor denied its involvement in the assassination, but Iran says it was behind the killing and has vowed to retaliate.
