AV 9 Hebrew Calendar, Coming Up Soon

stock here: sorry for the excessive use of A-Eye info, but there is so much gathered so fast.

Tisha B’Av is a significant day of mourning in the Jewish calendar, commemorating the many tragedies that have befallen the Jewish people on the ninth day of the Hebrew month of Av. In 2024, Tisha B’Av falls on August 12-13.

Significance of Tisha B’Av
Tisha B’Av, which literally means the 9th of Av, is a solemn day observed with fasting and mourning. It marks the destruction of both the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem, among other tragedies.

Historical Events Commemorated
Destruction of the First Temple:

Date: 586 BCE
Details: The First Temple, built by King Solomon, was destroyed by the Babylonians, leading to the Babylonian exile.
Destruction of the Second Temple:

Date: 70 CE
Details: The Second Temple, rebuilt after the return from Babylonian exile, was destroyed by the Romans, marking the beginning of a long period of Jewish diaspora.
Other Tragedies:

Bar Kokhba Revolt: In 135 CE, the Romans crushed the Bar Kokhba revolt and destroyed the city of Betar, resulting in massive casualties.
Expulsion from England: In 1290, the Jews were expelled from England.
Expulsion from Spain: In 1492, the Jews were expelled from Spain.
Observances and Customs
Fasting:

Tisha B’Av is a full 25-hour fast, similar to Yom Kippur. From sunset on the 8th of Av until nightfall on the 9th of Av, no food or drink is consumed.
Mourning Practices:

Sitting on Low Stools: From the evening until midday, mourners sit on low stools or on the floor, similar to the practice of sitting shiva.
Refraining from Bathing and Wearing Leather: Participants refrain from bathing for pleasure, applying lotions or creams, wearing leather shoes, and having marital relations.
Reading the Book of Lamentations (Eichah):

The Book of Lamentations, which mourns the destruction of Jerusalem, is read in the synagogue, often in a sorrowful chant.
Other Restrictions:

Studying Torah (except for texts related to mourning and the destruction of the Temple) is prohibited, as it is considered a joyous activity.
Tisha B’Av in 2024
Dates: The observance begins at sunset on August 12, 2024, and ends at nightfall on August 13, 2024.
Hebrew Date: The 9th of Av, 5784.
Reflection and Renewal
Tisha B’Av serves as a time for Jews to reflect on the historical sufferings and to focus on themes of loss and resilience. It is a day to remember the destruction and hope for future redemption and rebuilding.

Sources
Chabad.org – Tisha B’Av
My Jewish Learning – Tisha B’Av
Tisha B’Av is a poignant reminder of the hardships endured by the Jewish people throughout history and a call to reflect on the themes of destruction and renewal.

is av related to august? the destruction of the two temples obviously didn’t happne on the same day of the year, so they were combined for sacred purposes?
ChatGPT
The month of Av in the Hebrew calendar does not directly correspond to August in the Gregorian calendar, although they often overlap. The Hebrew calendar is a lunar calendar, which means its months are based on the cycles of the moon, while the Gregorian calendar is solar. Therefore, the exact dates of Hebrew months vary each year when compared to the Gregorian calendar.

The Month of Av
Hebrew Calendar: Av is the eleventh month of the Hebrew calendar.
Correspondence: It usually falls around July-August in the Gregorian calendar.
Destruction of the Temples
First Temple: Destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 BCE.
Second Temple: Destroyed by the Romans in 70 CE.
Commemoration on Tisha B’Av
Despite the actual historical events likely occurring on different days (and perhaps not even the same exact calendar date), the Jewish tradition has combined these events to be commemorated on the same day, Tisha B’Av (the 9th of Av). This was done for several reasons:

Historical Memory: The alignment of these tragic events around the same time on the Hebrew calendar reinforces the collective memory of Jewish suffering and loss.
Sacred Purpose: Combining these commemorations helps focus the community on mourning and reflection, creating a unified day of fasting and prayer.
Tradition and Rabbinic Decisions: Jewish sages and leaders over centuries have solidified this tradition, seeing it as spiritually significant to commemorate these events together.
Other Tragedies Commemorated
Tisha B’Av also commemorates other tragic events in Jewish history that occurred around this time, further reinforcing the significance of this date.

Gregorian vs. Hebrew Calendar
Hebrew Calendar: Lunisolar calendar with 12 or 13 months, each month beginning with the new moon.
Gregorian Calendar: Solar calendar with 12 months, each year approximately 365.25 days.
Conclusion
While the destructions of the First and Second Temples likely did not occur on the exact same calendar date, Jewish tradition has combined these events for commemoration on Tisha B’Av for sacred and historical reasons. This day serves as a powerful reminder of the tragedies in Jewish history and the resilience of the Jewish people.

what was the propaganda related to these expulsions?
Expulsion from England: In 1290, the Jews were expelled from England.
Expulsion from Spain: In 1492, the Jews were expelled from Spain.
ChatGPT
The expulsions of Jews from England in 1290 and Spain in 1492 were significant events in Jewish history and were accompanied by various forms of propaganda that sought to justify and promote these actions. Here is an overview of the propaganda related to these expulsions:

Expulsion from England (1290)
Context
King Edward I: The expulsion was ordered by King Edward I on July 18, 1290, through the Edict of Expulsion.
Reasons: Economic, social, and religious factors contributed to the decision, including debt owed to Jewish moneylenders, pressure from the Church, and popular anti-Semitic sentiments.
Propaganda and Justifications
Religious Justifications:

Accusations of Deicide: Jews were often accused of being responsible for the death of Jesus Christ. This religious accusation was propagated by the Church and contributed to widespread anti-Semitic beliefs.

Blood Libel: False accusations that Jews used the blood of Christian children in religious rituals were used to incite fear and hatred.
Economic Motives:

Moneylending and Usury: Jews were commonly involved in moneylending, a profession often restricted to them due to Christian prohibitions against usury. Propaganda depicted Jews as greedy and exploitative moneylenders, exacerbating economic resentment.
Debt Forgiveness: By expelling the Jews, the Crown could cancel debts owed to Jewish moneylenders, benefiting indebted nobles and citizens.
Social and Political Pressure:

Scapegoating: Jews were often scapegoated for various social and economic problems. Propaganda portrayed them as a corrupting influence and an alien presence within Christian society.
Church Influence: The Church played a significant role in spreading anti-Jewish sentiment, urging monarchs to take action against Jews to purify Christian society.

Expulsion from Spain (1492)
Context
Catholic Monarchs: The expulsion was ordered by Ferdinand II of Aragon and Isabella I of Castile on March 31, 1492, through the

Alhambra Decree.

Reasons: The Reconquista had recently concluded with the fall of Granada, and the unification of Spain under Christian rule intensified efforts to consolidate religious homogeneity.
Propaganda and Justifications
Religious Justifications:

Inquisition: The Spanish Inquisition, established in 1478, aimed to identify and punish heresy. Propaganda from the Inquisition portrayed Jews as heretics and enemies of the faith.

Conversos and Crypto-Judaism: Many Jews had converted to Christianity (conversos), but were suspected of secretly practicing Judaism (crypto-Judaism). Propaganda suggested that expelling all Jews would eliminate this threat to Christian purity.
Economic Motives:

Confiscation of Wealth: The expulsion allowed the Crown to confiscate Jewish property and wealth, providing a financial boost to the state.
Economic Competition: Jews were often successful in trade, finance, and various professions. Propaganda painted them as unfair competitors who undermined Christian economic interests.
Social and Political Pressure:

National Unity: The expulsion was framed as necessary for achieving religious and national unity. Propaganda emphasized the need for a unified Christian kingdom free from Jewish influence.
Scapegoating: Similar to England, Jews were scapegoated for various societal issues, and propaganda depicted them as a corrupt and destabilizing force.

Impact of Propaganda
Public Perception: The propaganda used in both England and Spain played a crucial role in shaping public perception and justifying the expulsions. It fueled anti-Semitic sentiments and created an environment where such drastic measures were seen as acceptable and necessary.
Long-term Consequences: The expulsions had devastating effects on the Jewish communities in both countries, leading to loss of life, displacement, and economic hardship. The use of propaganda to dehumanize and vilify Jews set a precedent for future persecutions in Europe.

Conclusion
The expulsions of Jews from England and Spain were heavily influenced by propaganda that combined religious, economic, and social justifications. These narratives served to dehumanize the Jewish population, making it easier for rulers to carry out these actions with public support or indifference. Understanding the role of propaganda in these historical events highlights the dangerous power of misinformation and prejudice in shaping societal attitudes and policies.

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were there actually christian restrictions on money lending in 1290 AD, aka usury, and what is the origin of the word usury.

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ChatGPT
Christian Restrictions on Money Lending in 1290 AD
Historical Context
During the medieval period, the Christian Church had strict teachings against usury, which is the practice of charging interest on loans. These teachings were rooted in various biblical passages and the writings of early Church Fathers.

Biblical Prohibitions:

Old Testament: Several passages in the Old Testament condemn usury, especially when lending to fellow Israelites. For instance, Exodus 22:25, Leviticus 25:35-37, and Deuteronomy 23:19-20 prohibit charging interest to the poor or to fellow Jews.
New Testament: The New Testament, while less explicit on the issue, includes teachings on compassion and aiding those in need without expecting anything in return (Luke 6:34-35).
Church Fathers and Councils:

Early Church Fathers: Influential Christian thinkers such as St. Augustine and St. Thomas Aquinas condemned usury. They argued that it was immoral to make a profit from lending money, as money itself was not productive.
Church Councils: Various Church councils, including the Lateran Councils, issued decrees against usury. The Third Lateran Council (1179) and the Second Lateran Council (1139) explicitly condemned the practice and imposed penalties on those who engaged in usury.
Canon Law:

Canon law, the legal system of the Catholic Church, included strict prohibitions against usury. It was considered a grave sin, and usurers could be excommunicated and denied a Christian burial.
Impact on Jews
Due to these restrictions, Christians were often prohibited from engaging in money lending. This created an economic niche that was filled by Jews, who were not bound by the same religious restrictions and often became moneylenders and financiers. This role, however, led to resentment and further anti-Semitic sentiments, which were exploited during events such as the expulsion from England in 1290.

Origin of the Word “Usury”
The term “usury” has an interesting etymology that reflects its changing connotations over time.

Etymology:

Latin Roots: The word “usury” comes from the Latin word “usura,” which means “interest” or “payment for the use of money.” The Latin root “usus” means “use,” indicating a fee charged for the use of money.
Historical Usage:

Middle Ages: During the medieval period, “usury” referred to any interest charged on loans, which was generally considered immoral and prohibited by the Church.
Modern Usage: Over time, the term has evolved. In modern financial contexts, “usury” typically refers to the practice of charging excessively high or illegal interest rates on loans, which is distinct from charging reasonable interest, which is now widely accepted.
Conclusion
In 1290 AD, there were indeed Christian restrictions on money lending, rooted in biblical teachings and reinforced by Church Fathers, canon law, and Church councils. These restrictions created an environment where Jews, not bound by the same religious laws, often became moneylenders, leading to economic roles that could breed resentment and justify persecution.

The word “usury” originates from the Latin “usura,” meaning interest or payment for the use of money. Historically, it referred to any interest charged on loans, but in modern times, it denotes excessively high or unethical interest rates. Understanding these historical and linguistic contexts helps to illuminate the complex relationships between religion, economy, and societal attitudes during the medieval period.