Iran’s Chief Rabbi, HaRav Yehuda Gerami, led the reading of Megillas Eicha and the recitation of Kinnos on Tisha B’Av at Tehran’s central Yosef Abad Shul.

During the service, HaRav Gerami recited the piyut “Aleichem Eidah Kedoshah,” a lament traditionally recited on the night of Tisha B’Av in some kehillos. The piyut opens by asking, “How is this night different from all other nights?” drawing a powerful contrast between the customs of freedom observed on Pesach night and the mourning practices of Tisha B’Av.

Despite ongoing tensions between Iran and Israel, the Jewish community in Tehran continued its longstanding Tisha B’Av observances, gathering at the city’s main synagogue to mourn the destruction of the Batei Mikdash.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)