Is Tish b'Av a Biblical Moed?

[Mark]

Tish b'Av is a national day of mourning that commemorates a number of events, both biblical and in Israel's history; but should we consider it a biblical holiday?

Is such a distinction important: to recognize that Christmas nor Purim are commanded in the Bible. Since they are not present, is it not appropriate to commemorate the events that they celebrate (please put all "why I don't celebrate Christmas" statements in a different thread:

theloveofgod.proboards3.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=785 )

Should we restrict our observance of worship, celebration and mourning to those events that are specifically commanded of us in Scripture?

[Tyler]

Is there any day of mourning specifically commanded in the Bible?

But concerning Tisha b'Av: it seems like your post is asking 3 questions.

1. Is Tisha b'Av biblical?
- Yes. (And so is Purim since Megillath Esher in in the Bible)

2. Is Tisha b'Av a moed?
- It depends. It is not in so technically no. However, if you follow Yeshua's words that the Pharisees (the fathers of Orthodox Judaism as we know it) sit in the seat of Moses, then perhaps Orthodox Judaism has some God-given authority in interpreting . And Orthodox Judaism considers Tisha b'Av a moed. But I realize this is debatable.

3. Is Tisha b'Av specifically commanded?
- No, nowhere in Scripture. Yes, by the Pharisees and Orthodox Judaism. Yeshua said to His (Jewish) disciples to do as the Pharisees say but don't do as they do. He also said, "When ye (plural) fast..." and "They shall fast...." So perhaps He is referring to a community fast and is implying specific day of the calendar. I know, that's debatable too. Nevertheless, the commandments of Orthodox Judaism (those which are the commandments of men) are not binding on disciples of Yeshua (especially not on the Gentiles).



A thought:
Do as they say and not as they do....

On Tisha b'Av a Jewish man fasts food and water, doesn't bathe or shave or wear deodorant, doesn't even take his medicine; he observes the Jewish commandments of the day to a tee and even goes beyond. But in the synagogue during prayers his mind wanders between business matters and how hungry he is.

On the same day, the man's Phillipino Christian neighbour eats his ham and eggs and watches the morning news. As he watches the turmoil in the middle east his heart breaks for Israel and the Jewish people. He goes to his prayer closet and weeps and intercedes for Israel's salvation. The rest of the day at work he continues to think on and pray for the Jewish people.

Which man truly observed the day? Which man's mourning was precious to God?

[nasah]

Good question......i too wondered what to do with an extra biblical moed like Tisha B'Av

In the Spirit i felt led to mourn rather for Israel, but not so much for the loss of the temple as we well know that our body is a temple.

How far to take this:

Mat 23:2 "The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses' seat,
Mat 23:3 so practice and observe whatever they tell you--but not what they do. For they preach, but do not practice.

Did Yeshua say this just pertaining to the Law and the prophets? Or does this apply to their fence laws as well?

Did Yeshua give them the authority to bind and lose like He did His Disciples who were endowed with the Holy Spirit?

Could the teachers of the law which neglected weightier matters, such as Love, Compassion Mercy and Justice really make sound judgment on what we are to observe?

I'm not opposed to following halacha as they might set forth, nor am i opposed to some rabbinical teaching.
But it has to line up with scriptures.

Out of love and compassion i will mourn.
Will i allow them to deprive me of wearing tzitzit cause i'm a woman though, worse yet, cause i'm a gentile?

Those are the things i ponder.

Shalom,
nasah