A TISHA B’AV TRADITION

Tisha b’Av, the most mournful holiday of the Jewish calendar, begins this evening at sundown.

Observant Jews will keep several traditions, among them fasting for at least 25 hours (no food or water); abstaining from marital relations; and not wearing leather shoes. As night falls, we will gather in synagogues to hear Megillat Eichah - the Book of Lamentations - chanted in its ages-old, dirgelike melody by the light of flickering candles.

And I, following my own ridiculous tradition, will post the following Irreverent Poem:



Hey, it’s what I do. No need to thank me.