Tonight is the ninth of Av, known as Tisha B’Av in Hebrew.
The date marks a number of tragic events in Jewish history, and most importantly the destruction of the two temples in Jerusalem in 586 BCE (by the Babylonians) as well as in 70 CE (by the Romans).
The latter event not only resulted in the destruction of Second Temple and Jerusalem, but the exile of nearly the entire Jewish people lasting some 2,000 years.
In very traditional circles, this 24 hour period is a day of deep mourning, which involves fasting, not wearing leather and other restrictive rituals. Additionally the Book of Lamentations (Megillat Eicha) is read in the synagogue.
With the establishment of the state of Israel and the reunification of Jerusalem, there are those Jews who wonder about the meaning of observing this Jewish day of mourning. Quoting secular socialist Zionist Berl Katznelson, Professor Gil Troy makes a compelling argument for still observing this day, just as we still observe the ritual of Passover, even though we are no longer in bondage in Egypt.
See:
https://www.jns.org/the-secular-socialist-zionist-who-insisted-on-mourning-on-tisha-bav/
This, I believe, is a good argument for many of us to reflect on the meaning of this day, and to at least consider some aspects of this ritual, even if we don't follow the exact rules of traditional Judaism.
Let me conclude with two thoughts about this historically important day in the Jewish calendar.
Legend has it that Napoleon once witnessed a group of Jews sitting on the ground outside a synagogue, crying and tearing their clothes. It was the ninth day of Av, Tisha B'Av. Napoleon was told by one of his aides that the crying was on account of the Jews being exiled from their land.
"Who are their enemies?" Napoleon is reported to have said. "I shall take revenge on them". "No," replied the aide, "this happened eighteen hundred years ago. Today is the day on their calendar they have chosen to mourn their loss."
Napoleon, deeply touched, replied: "A nation that still mourns the loss of its homeland after so many years of exile will one day be returned to it.”
The second thought comes from the rabbis in the Talmud who suggested that the reason why the Second Temple was destroyed was because of the sin of needless hatred. Torn asunder by internal rifts and divisions, the Jewish people were unable to defend themselves against an external enemy.
Rabbi Abraham Isaac Kook, the first Chief Ashkenazi Rabbi of Palestine during the British mandate, once said that one of the greatest sins in the world is Sinat Chinam, baseless hatred – a hatred without any ground or reason for it. And so, the answer, the solution, he said, is Ahavat Hinam, Love for no reason.
As we think of Tish Ba’av this year, let us think of also how we can unite with our Jewish friends and neighbors, the people of Israel - especially now - and indeed all of humanity.
And lest you think the Jewish calendar is not without its more festive moments this month, next week we will observe the 15th of Av which in Jewish tradition is kind of like the Jewish Valentine's Day or the Jewish Day of Love. (According to the Mishna, in the days of the Temple in Jerusalem, the 15th of Av was a matchmaking day for the unmarried girls of Jerusalem, who dressed in white garments and went out to dance in the vineyards,)
See more here:
https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/tu-bav/
In fact that very night - next Monday night - Habonim is hosting an uplifting musical evening at Habonim featuring Neshayamyim, a band formed by Aviva and Tom to perform their original songs rooted in Jewish texts and prayers.
So, please join us then!
Eli Rubenstein
