We will examine the midrashim on the Book of Lamentations.

Tisha B'Av is both a fast day and a day of mourning, but has different observances than other fast days. We will look at some of the reasons why.

We will engage in a literary-theological study of the Book of Lamentations, read in the synagogue on Tisha B'Av night. We will attempt to understand the structure and meaning of each chapter and the book as a whole and its relation to other books of the Bible. We will make use of classical commentaries and modern studies of the Bible.