YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Shabbat and Holidays
- The Three Weeks
- The Laws of Three Weeks
It is a tribute to our culture - not to mention an ongoing proof of our eternal history - that we are prepared to draw attention to our failings and foibles no less than our successes and celebrations, in a constant struggle for self-improvement. As every athlete knows, you learn more from your losses than from your wins and so, each year, we struggle to understand what went wrong, why and how the events of the "Black Fast" occurred, and what we can do to rectify those mistakes so it will not happen again. And we do this despite our full admission that we have blessedly "turned the corner" of history, that the re-establishment of the State of Israel now allows us to focus on a glorious future and not solely look behind us to the gloomy past.
The Rabbis of the Talmud make it crystal-clear that the Churban, the Destruction, was a function of our own sinful actions, and not the result of some political or military decision imposed upon us from the outside. As a pre-eminent People who continually defy the norms of history, it is we ourselves, and not those around us, who control our fate. If we so merit it, no force can dislodge us. But if we fail to live up to the high standard set for us, then "the Almighty has many messengers" at His disposal. As the Talmud succinctly puts it, the Romans were not responsible for our defeat; they were merely "grinding already-ground flour."
It is therefore worthwhile to review the comments of our Sages regarding Tisha B'Av, and see if we have made any progress over the last two thousand years.
Tractate Shabbat lists several reasons for the tragedy, beginning, appropriately, with Abaye's statement that Jerusalem was destroyed due to desecration of the Shabbat. In Halachic terms, Shabbat is not only considered the most important holiday of the year - surpassing even Yom Kippur - but it is the primary yardstick by which we measure religious commitment. It is the one question we ask to qualify potential witnesses (e.g. to a wedding), and it was one of a very few ritual commandments whose violation could actually result in the death penalty being administered by a human court. But the significance of Shabbat is not only a legal consideration; Shabbat is what gives the Jewish nation its uniqueness, its soul, its spiritual core. It is the single most important ingredient in preventing Israel from falling into the trap of "becoming a state like any other state." And it is remarkable how Shabbat in Israel has made such an amazing "comeback" in recent years, as we have seen some of even the most non-observant kibbutzim building on-site synagogues, and learning programs as well as Batei Knesset in Tel Aviv fill to capacity each Shabbat.
Ra'anana, I'm proud to say, boasts 85 synagogues - and counting. "Seven days without Shabbat," it's been said, "makes one weak!"
Rabbi Hamnuna comments, "Jerusalem was destroyed because we neglected the education of our young." Israel struggles with its education system - overcrowded classrooms, changes in the Bagrut requirements with each new Minister of Education, overall lack of decorum - but on the whole, we turn out some pretty bright students. We have one of the highest literacy rates in the world (97.8%) and we spend 7.5 % of our GDP on education, more than Canada, Japan, America, England or Australia. Want to know just how "smart" we are? Go into any kindergarten, and talk to the children.; they'll make you want to go back to school!
Ulla remarks: "Jerusalem was destroyed because there was not enough shame between people." We are a society that is often high on blame, but short on shame. Blame deflects our problems onto others and impedes our self-improvement. But shame can actually be a virtue; it can keep our ego and our arrogance in check - IF we get ashamed by the right things - and lead us back to more pristine behavior. I am ashamed when our country shows leniency to terrorists; when drivers lose control and act rudely and belligerently on our highways; when MK's fail to act with dignity and decorum in the Knesset, when "rabbis" abuse their power (and their congregants); when I succumb to anger, disillusion or lack of faith. Shame is the emotional partner of humility, and humility is the doorway to enlightenment and respect for others.
Rabbi Yitzchak: "Jerusalem was destroyed because we did not rebuke one another." This is dangerous ground, because it is ever-so-risky to suggest to anyone that what they are doing is wrong. For who decides what is right or wrong? ("Who are YOU, Mr. Perfect, to tell ME what to do?!") The plague of Political Correctness has virtually silenced any widespread attempt to comment negatively on the actions of others, let alone on the mores of society itself. We are tolerant, the saying goes, of everything - except intolerance. In effect, we are living in the "anti-Musar age," when individual "rights" reign supreme, and anyone who dares criticize someone else's behavior is either reactionary, racist or just plain rotten. As society continues to test the limits of inter-personal behavior, we face the dilemma of either alienating our neighbor, or watching helplessly as what we once called "decency" sinks into the dust. Perhaps Rabbi Yitzchak is warning us that, "either you stand for something, or you fall for everything."
We are all familiar with the famous Gemara in tractate Yuma: "The first Bet HaMikdash was destroyed (by Babylonia) because the people committed acts of violence, immorality and idolatry. And the second? Though the community was scholarly, performed Mitzvot and engaged in acts of Chesed-kindness, it was destroyed (by the Romans) because of Sinat Chinam (baseless hatred)." Note the seeming paradox, the disconnect between the ability to do Chesed for others while still harboring animosity towards them. The antidote to Sinat Chinam, I suggest, is the call to "Love your neighbor as yourself." That is, to accept others just as we accept ourselves - with all our faults and with all our flaws.
Finally, Rabbi Yochanan sums it all up: "Jerusalem was destroyed because we judged others to the full extent that the law allowed, and did not go beyond the letter of the law." Comment the Rabbis: There were ample reasons, as we listed above, to justify the breakdown of the commonwealth. Yet had we shown flexibility, leniency and more compassion, then God, too, might have gone easy on us. But since WE were rigid and unyielding, so was God. In short, as you judge others, so shall you be judged.
Tisha B'Av is the gateway to our next holiday, Rosh Hashana and the 10 Days of Repentance. If we learn the lessons of Jerusalem's destruction, we can complete its rebuilding and turn the Fast into a Feast.
Peninei Halakha 7. Reciting She-heheyanu During the Three Weeks
Chapter 8: The Customs of the Three Weeks
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: The Goal of an Agricultural Yeshiva – part I
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the laying of the cornerstone of the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh)
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
fast navigation
Shoftim TESHUVA IN COURT OF LAW?
Parshat Shoftim-Chodesh Elul
Why does parshat Shoftim always come out during Elul? This innovative and central explanation is an eye-opener regarding many aspects of Judaism.
The Month of Elul TESHUVA IS THE ANSWER
The month of Elul serves as a vital time for self-reflection and personal accountability to prepare for true repentance.
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Realtor’s Fee on Large Commercial Building – part I
(based on ruling 85031 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 85031 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
P'ninat Mishpat Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: The Goal of an Agricultural Yeshiva – part I
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the laying of the cornerstone of the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh)
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the laying of the cornerstone of the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh)
Chemdat Yamim The Goal of an Agricultural Yeshiva – part II
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the cornerstone laying for the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh – 1938)
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the cornerstone laying for the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh – 1938)
Re'e NEVER EXTREME EXCEPT ISRAEL
Parshat Re'eh
Judaism is against extremism, so how can we understand the seemingly extreme statements found in our sages in favor of living in the Land of Israel and against living in Chutz laAretz? The article deals with the seeming contradiction between the strength of Free-Will and the strength of being influenced by our surroundings.
Ekev DANCE FOR ISRAEL- FOR YOUR BENEFIT
Parshat Eikev
Description: The 7 Haftarot we read after Tisha B'Av ("Shiva D'Nichemta") surely get us excited that they're coming TRUE, and awaken us to yearn, dance & join the return to Zion! The short article also deals with the problems and solutions facing the American Jewish community as discussed at a recent panel, as well as the question why Jews come from America to Israel to help when we face problems, but Israelis don't come to aid Jews in America when they face anti-Semitism.
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: Twin Foundations
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
