Tonight begins the Hebrew month of Av, about which the Mishna teaches, “When Av enters, we diminish our joy — משנכס אב, ממעטין בשמחה” (Ta’anit 4:6), on account of the tragedies that have befallen the Jewish people throughout history on the 9th of Av (“Tisha B’Av“). Since the core events on this list is the destruction of the two Temples, and many modern Jews do not wish to see the Temple rebuilt or the sacrificial cult revived, much objection has risen in liberal, Jewish circles around continuing to mourn and fast for Tisha B’Av. Last year, just before Tisha B’Av, I posted this piece on why I think that attitude is not constructive and why even Jews who do not want the Temple rebuilt should mourn on Tisha B’Av. For this week’s Throwback Thursday, we bring you that piece: “Why I Fast and Mourn on Tisha B’Av, the Day of Homelessness and Displacement“.