July 2026 – Av 5786
Introduction by Steve Chappell – HLM board member U.K.
Tisha B’Av (literally “the ninth of Av”) is the saddest and most solemn fast day in Judaism, observed on the ninth day of the Hebrew month of Av which this year commences on the evening of 22nd July.
The day marks a remarkable convergence of tragedies in Jewish history, most notably:
- The destruction of the First Temple by the Babylonians in 586 BCE
- The destruction of the Second Temple by the Romans in 70 CE
- The expulsion of Jews from Spain in 1492 CE
- The fall of Betar during the Bar Kokhba revolt 135 CE
Jewish tradition holds that these catastrophes all occurred on the same calendar date, giving Tisha B’Av a profound weight as a day when Jewish history seems to echo itself.
Tisha B’Av is observed with a full 25-hour fast (no food or water), and additional restrictions similar to Yom Kippur.
Synagogue services have a distinctly mournful tone* — lights are dimmed, and the biblical book of Lamentations (Eicha) is chanted in a sorrowful melody. Worshippers often sit on low chairs or the floor as a sign of mourning.
Beyond the historical tragedies, many Jewish thinkers teach that Tisha B’Av is ultimately about national and spiritual reflection.
The Talmud famously attributes the destruction of the Second Temple to “sinat chinam” — baseless hatred among Jews — making the day a call to examine relationships, community, and ethical behavior.
For many, it is a day not only of grief, but of hope for future redemption, which as disciples of Yeshua, we know that the final redemption will only come when He returns and establishes the Millennial Temple in Jerusalem.
“Now it shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the Lord’s house
shall be established on the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow to it.
Many people shall come and say, “Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,
To the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, and we shall walk in His paths.”
For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.
He shall judge between the nations, and rebuke many people;
They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks;
Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.” Isaiah 2:2-4 New King James Version
We are pleased to be able to include the following article on Tisha B’Av by our local Rabbi and dear brother in Messiah Yeshua.
בס״ד
תשעה באב
The Ninth of Av
Most followers of Yeshua are probably not familiar with the date the Ninth of Av. This date is indeed a sad day, as both the First and Second Temples were destroyed on this date. This destruction was not by accident, as the term Av means Father and it was the G-d of Israel Who laid waste to both of these Temples, as a token of His displeasure with the people of Israel, who were either committing idolatry or hating one another without cause. It is customary for those who are committed to the G-d of Israel to read publicly the book of Lamentations. This book is called in Hebrew אֵיכָה, which can be translated by the expression, “How Oh G-d?”. It was inconceivable for the Jewish community to believe that it would be G-d Himself that would bring about the destruction of His own Temple.
One of the primary messages of the book of Lamentations is that G-d will indeed hold all people accountable for sin. This is the same message to which the Cross also testifies. The book of Lamentations is a highly spiritual book, only totalling five chapters. Not only is central to this book the destruction of the Temple, but also the city of Jerusalem. In Lamentations 2:17, one reads these words,
עָשָׂה יְהוָה אֲשֶׁר זָמָם בִּצַּע אֶמְרָתוֹ אֲשֶׁר צִוָּה מִימֵי-קֶדֶם הָרַס וְלֹא חָמָל וַיְשַׂמַּח עָלַיִךְ אוֹיֵב הֵרִים קֶרֶן צָרָיִךְ
“The L-rd has done what He has planned, He has carried out His word which He commanded, from the days before He has torn down and has not had pity and He has made glad an enemy over you, He has lifted up the horn of your adversaries.”
Lamentations 2:17
What happened to Jerusalem was exactly what the L-rd had promised He was going to do. None of what took place should have surprised the inhabitants of Jerusalem. The primary problem was that the prophet Jeremiah had warned the people, but the people of Israel were unwilling to turn from idolatry and obey G-d. This was a wilful disobedience, rooted in rebelliousness. Jeremiah understood that the people were trusting in the fact that the Temple was in Jerusalem; rather than in repenting and turning away from Israel’s idolatrous ways.
אַל-תִּבְטְחוּ לָכֶם אֶל-דִּבְרֵי הַשֶּׁקֶר לֵאמֹר הֵיכַל יְהוָה הֵיכַל יְהוָה הֵיכַל יְהוָה הֵמָּה.
“You should not trust in false words, saying the Sanctuary of the L-rd, the Sanctuary of the L-rd they are”. Jeremiah 7:4
As bad as the situation had become for those in Judah and Jerusalem, the L-rd provides hope to His people. In Lamentations 3:31, it is stated,
ִּי לֹא יִזְנַח לְעוֹלָם אֲדֹנָי.
“For My Master will not cast away forever.” Lamentations 3:31
The subject of this sentence is the Hebrew word אֲדֹנָי, which means literally my master. It is clear that the Master to which is being referred is the L-rd, unfortunately most translators do not recognise the actual meaning of the word and incorrectly translate it as The L-rd. “The title אֲדֹנָי (Adonai, “Lord, Master”) appears about 448 times in the Hebrew Scriptures as a reverential address to the one true God.” (Bible Hub). Even though many render the term אֲדֹנָי as the L-rd, the root אדון means in the simplest sense, “master”. Due to the respect for the Tetragrammaton יהוה, when coming across this four letter word, pronounce it as Adonai. The reason behind this is that without a Temple in our days, Jewish Law forbids pronouncing the word יהוה and instead one says Adonai
Within the book of Lamentations, there is also a clear reference to the Messiah in chapter 4:20. It is very significant that the chapter concludes with a strong word of encouragement. For it is stated in chapter 4 and verse twenty-two,
תַּם-עֲוֹנֵךְ בַּת-צִיּוֹן לֹא יוֹסִיף לְהַגְלוֹתֵךְ פָּקַד עֲוֹנֵךְ בַּת-אֱדוֹם גִּלָּה עַל-חַטֹּאתָיִךְ.
“The end of your iniquity, O Daughter of Zion, He will not again exile you, He will visit your iniquity O Daughter of Edom, He has revealed your sins.” Lamentations 4:22
This verse expresses a change whereby it is the end of Israel’s sins, but the L-rd will visit the sins upon the Daughter of Edom. Prophetically, Edom is an end time’s enemy of Israel that will ultimately be destroyed. Edom’s defeat will bring about the establishment of the Kingdom of G-d. First, the Millennial Kingdom and then the final state of the Kingdom of G-d, the New Jerusalem.
The fast of the Ninth of Av is mentioned in the Bible in Zechariah 8:19 as the fast of the fifth month. In this verse, the prophet Zechariah makes a wonderful declaration as these fast days will be transformed into joy, gladness, good, true and appointed times when the will of G-d will be fulfilled
כֹּה-אָמַר יְהוָה צְבָאוֹת צוֹם הָרְבִיעִי וְצוֹם הַחֲמִישִׁי וְצוֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִי וְצוֹם הָעֲשִׂירִי יִהְיֶה לְבֵית-יְהוּדָה לְשָׂשׂוֹן וּלְשִׂמְחָה וּוְהָאֱמֶת וְהַשָּׁלוֹם אֱהָבוּ
“Thus said the L-rd of Hosts, the fast of the fourth (month) and the fast of the fifth (month) and the fast of the seventh (month) and the fast of the tenth (month) will be for the House of Judah for joy and gladness and good appointed times truth and peace love.” Zechariah 8:19
In this verse, the Hebrew word הַשָּׁלוֹם (hashalom) appears. Although most translators render the meaning as “peace”, this is technically incorrect. Proper study of this word reveals that הַשָּׁלוֹם actually relates to the will of G-d being fulfilled. This means that all of these fast days which are connected to the destruction the Babylonian Empire brought upon Judah and Jerusalem will be transformed into days that will be celebrated with joy and gladness and be viewed as appointed times which will express the goodness of the L-rd of Hosts and the people of G-d will love the truth of G-d and the fulfilment of G-d’s will.
May your observance of Tisha B’Av be a meaningful one.
Outreach to the Elderly in Ashqelon, Beersheva and Haifa
Outreach efforts to assist the elderly and needy in Ashqelon and Beersheva continue in spite of the current difficult situation and elevated temperatures.
Holy Land Ministries are very blessed to have talented and committed workers who give their time and energy to achieve its goal to spread the light and love of Messiah Yeshua to the poor and needy in their local areas.
Here are a few word’s from Julia who carries out the practical work in Ashqelon and serves on the Executive Committee of HLM:
“Please pray for me and my family for stability and peace, and I thank you for your continued support.
Please also pray for our ministry/service in Ashqelon, that everything may go smoothly and without any obstacles.”
She and her family are also grateful for the prayers and support they receive from our friends and supporters in the U.K. and elsewhere. She asks for prayer for her health, she has diabetes and is asking for healing.
On the right is a picture of Alona and her family. Alona is a long time friend of HLM and is now helping to meet the needs of the elderly and vulnerable in Beersheva for HLM.
Alona also asks for prayer and blessings over her family — for her husband Alexander and her son Ben-El.
Please pray as well for the blessing and success for HLM’s ministry in Beersheva.
HLM Partners in Kirgistan
There has been a significant change in the situation in Kirgistan.
“Amir”, his wife and their fellowship have been forbidden to teach in the orphanage by the local (Muslim) government authority.
The charitable work continues but the work of combating anti-semitism and teaching biblical truth was an important part of the ministry to the orphans.
Please pray for a return to the previous situation, so that the team in Kirgistan will be able again to minister to the spiritual needs of the orphans as well as their material needs.
HLM Partners in India
Pastor Chandra and his congregations continue their outreach to the poor and needy in the local area.
His work with the Dalit community (Untouchables) is expanding due to his heartfelt compassion towards this disadvantaged group, many of whom are Christians.
I include below a short report from Pastor Chandra:
“This is my experience with the “untouchables”.
I feel they need some guidance to change their lifestyle with the gospel of Yeshua and live a valuable life in the society.
I have been inspired to start a Dalit (untouchables) Development Corporation to improve their lives where it is required.
Mainly they need legal assistance to get their rights. They also need good education and health services in many places. I feel I need to do more to help this community in the future.
After Tisha B’Av I will go to new places to meet some untouchables (this word “untouchables” is a derogatory term) so I use the word Dalit.
I am doing this project very sincerely.
Thank you so much for giving me this opportunity.
May El Shaddai bless Holy Land Ministries abundantly.”
Please pray for Pastor Chandra that God would bless the heartfelt outreach to this needy community and that He would guide and direct him into the right projects to help them.
Holy Land Ministries 