YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Sections
- Peninei Halakha
- Shabbat and Holidays
- The Three Weeks
- The Laws of Tisha B'Av
One must avoid going on trips on Tisha Be-Av, because they divert one’s attention from mourning. One should also avoid friendly conversations, because they can lead to laughter and levity (SA 554:21). It is better to discuss the destruction of the Temple, Israel’s tribulations, and the ways of achieving repentance for both the community and the individual.
Even those who customarily visit cemeteries after reciting Kinot must take care not to go in large groups, because they might become distracted from mourning (Rema 559:10, MB ad loc. 41).
It is clear that one should not refrain from going to the Kotel (the Western Wall) out of concern that he might meet friends there and become happy. I heard from my father and teacher that there is no greater rectification for Tisha Be-Av than going to the Western Wall and praying for the Temple to be rebuilt speedily in our time. On the contrary, the fact that many people assemble there increases the power of one’s prayers and magnifies God’s glory. My father added that just as no one would claim that one may not build the Holy Temple during the Nine Days because it is an act of joyous building, so too it cannot be claimed that one may not visit the Western Wall on Tisha Be-Av since one might meet friends there. Rather, if one meets his friends there, he should avoid greeting them, but he may shake their hands affectionately and pray with them for the Temple to be rebuilt.
Rabbi Eliezer Melamed
Peninei Halakha 18. Torah Verses in the Prayers and in the Berakha of She-asa Li Kol Tzorki
Chapter 10: The Laws of Tisha Be-Av
Rabbis in Midrash
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 6 - The Parable of the King of India
The advantages of testimony over circumstantial evidence or philosophical speculation.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 5- "Proofs of G-d"
This may be the most important class of the entire book, where we finally get to the Jewish proof of the existence of G-d and truth of the Torah. We should follow His own direction where He tells us how to get to Him: through the Nation of Israel: Jewish history, Jewish prophets (and today, prophecies fulfilled), and national reward & punishment towards Am Yisrael.
Ein Aya One Humanity, One Creator, One Jerusalem
Rav Kook innovatively and beautifully explains this aggadeta where our sages say that after Jerusalem was destroyed her cinnamon fragrance is only found locked in a particular kingdom's treasury.
Shlach Lecha "Why So Many Don't Make Aliya?" - Parshat Shlach
This short article deals with the weird phenomena that every single time Am Yisrael is meant to enter the Land of Israel, throughout the Tanach, 2nd Temple and until today, they "chicken out" and look for excuses. What's the problem with this mitzvah that proves so challenging. The article, based on sources, suggests that the difficulties of Eretz Yisrael is precisely her secret and beauty!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 4
The class deals with Islam and how the Muslim tries convincing the King of the Khazars, and why he was also rejected.
Beha'alotcha JEWISH STATE= GUIDE TO G-DLINESS & SELFLESSNESS
A Jewish State not only is a good idea, but educates us towards selflessness, altruism and G-dliness in our daily lives.
Ein Aya In Zion Even the Smoke of the Bark is Sweet
Just as Jewish nationalism is different from others, so too our capitol of Jerusalem is totally different than other national capitols. Rav Kook beautifully explains the passage in the Talmud that the trees of Yerushalayim were cinnamon trees.