This ninth day of Av is the darkest of the Jewish year, as it commemorates a catalog of calamities and atrocities that happened around this time. To remember, and grieve, Jews mourn for three weeks leading up to Tisha B’Av during which they practice austerity and might decline to listen to music or cut their hair. On the day of Tisha B’Av, Jewish observants will eat a spare, lonely meal before beginning their fast at sundown. In the evening they might gather in the synagogue to read the Book of Lamentations.