The wood festival of the Kohanim and the people [was celebrated] nine times [a year]. On the first of Nissan, the family of Arach of the tribe of Judah [did so]. On the twentieth of Tammuz, the family of David of the tribe of Judah [did so]. On the fifth of Av, the family of Parosh of the tribe of Judah [did so]. On the seventh of that [month], the family of Jonadab, the son of Rechab [did so]. On the tenth of that [month], the family of Senaah of the tribe of Benjamin [did so]. On the fifteenth of that [month], the family of Zattu of the tribe of Judah [did so], and along with them were Kohanim and Leviim, and anyone who was uncertain of his tribe, and the family of the pestle-smugglers, the family of the fig-cutters [did so]. On the twentieth of that [month], the family of Pachas-Moav of the tribe of Judah [did so]. On the twentieth of Elul, the family of Adin of the tribe of Judah [did so]. On the first of Teves, the family of Parosh returned a second time. On the first of Teves, there was no maamad, since Hallel [was recited] and a musaf-sacrifice and a wood-offering [were brought] thereon.

Five incidents befell our ancestors on the Seventeenth of Tammuz, and five on the Ninth of Av. On the Seventeenth of Tammuz, the Tablets were broken, the con-tinual [daily] sacrifice was discontinued, the city [wall] was breached, Apostumos burned the Torah, and placed an image in the Sanctuary.  On the Ninth of Av, it was decreed upon our ancestors that they would not enter the Land, the Temple was destroyed for the first time and the second time, Bethar was conquered, and the city was plowed under.  Therefore, when Av begins, we curtail joy.