Learning Teachers Guide

The 17th of Tammuz and The Three Weeks

• The 17th of Tammuz Events that happened on the 17th of Tammuz How to observe a fast day What are the Three Weeks? Customs of the Three Weeks • The 17th of Tammuz and Moshiach • Story - The Western Wall ______

The 17th of Tammuz The 17th of Tammuz is a fast day. A fast day involves more than being sad and refraining from food and drink. It is an auspicious time – an “Eis Ratzon”. It is a time when Hashem is closer to us, and He is more attentive than ever to our prayers and requests. Therefore, we Daven more, learn more, do more Mitzvos and give extra Tzedakah. We don’t want this day to remain sad forever, so it’s a time to make new resolutions to do more good to bring Moshiach; so that this day will become a day of celebration. Events that happened on the 17th of Tammuz A. The main reason we fast on this day is because on the 17th of Tammuz, in the year 3828, the Romans broke through the protective wall that surrounded Yerushalayim. This led to the destruction of the Beis Hamikdosh three weeks later, on the 9th of Av. The Second Beis Hamikdosh was destroyed because there was no unity and Ahavas Yisroel amongst the Jewish people. B. On this day the daily sacrifice was discontinued. When the Romans surrounded the wall of Yerushalayim, they set up a siege that lasted for a long time. They did not allow anyone to come in or go out of the city. Food supplies could not be brought in either. This created a terrible famine in Yerushalayim. Yet, the Jews still brought the Korban Tomid, the daily sacrifice of two lambs, one in the morning and one in the evening. There was no food in the city, but the Jews still managed to sacrifice the two lambs daily. Every day, the Jews would pass a box of gold over the wall to bribe the Roman soldiers, and the soldiers would pass them back two lambs. On the 17th of Tammuz, instead of passing two lambs, the Romans passed over a pig! When the pig’s impure nails touched the walls of the holy city of Yerushalayim, the whole city shook. The Jews could no had a lamb to offer as a Korban.

Page 296 Learning Teachers Guide C. Before Moshe went up to receive the Torah, he told the Jews that he would be returning in forty days with the Luchos. The Jews miscalculated when counting the forty days for Moshe to return from the mountain with the Luchos from Hashem. When the Jews had finished counting forty days (according to their calculation), and Moshe had still not returned, they thought he was dead; so they decided to make an idol – a golden calf – that would serve as their leader. You can imagine how terrible this was. On the 17th of Tammuz, when Moshe came down the mountain holding the two Luchos and saw the Jews dancing around the golden calf, he dropped the Luchos and they shattered. D. A Roman captain publicly burnt a Sefer Torah. E. An idol was placed in the Beis Hamikdosh. How to observe a fast day 1. Boys above age 13 and girls above age 12 do not eat or drink from dawn until nightfall. 2. We give to Tzedakah the amount of money that is equivalent of the cost of 3 meals to stress that we are not fasting in order to save money. 3. We say extra prayers. 4. Children should not eat candy or sweets. 5. We increase in Ahavas Yisroel. What are the Three Weeks? Starting from the 17th of Tammuz, we observe three weeks of semi-mourning, when no Simchas (joyous events, such as weddings,) are held. The Three Weeks conclude with another fast day – the 9th day of Av, the day when both of our Holy Temples were destroyed. These days of fasting, as well as the sad days in between, remind us of a series of sad events that took place in our history. It is a time to focus on the destruction of our Beis Hamikdosh and Moshiach’s coming. Customs of the Three Weeks During the Three Weeks, we mourn the destruction of the Beis Hamikdosh. Therefore, we refrain from celebrating or attending festive events. This intensifies our yearning to see the Beis Hamikdosh rebuilt in Yerushalayim. During this period: 1. We do not listen to music. 2. We do not celebrate weddings or arrange any festivities 3. We do not take haircuts. 4. We do not buy or wear new clothing. 5. We increase in Ahavas Yisroel.

Page 297 Learning Teachers Guide The 17th of Tammuz and Moshiach The Three Weeks, starting from the 17th of Tammuz and concluding with the 9th of Av, is a period of mourning for the destruction of the Beis Hamikdosh. Another tragedy that occurred on the 17th of Tammuz, was the breaking of the Luchos. Although this happened so many years ago, there is an important lesson to be learned from this event. Let’s review the story: Moshe Rabbeinu was the leader of the Jewish people. He took them out of Mitzrayim, and split the Red Sea. When he took the Jews out of Mitzrayim, Moshe told them, that they were going to receive the Torah from Hashem. This Torah, would have 613 Mitzvos; and through learning Torah and doing Mitzvos, the Jews would be able to form a closer connection with Hashem. Through following the instructions of the Torah, Hashem’s presence would be revealed in the world with the coming of Moshiach. The Jewish People were so excited about receiving the Torah, that they literally counted the days in anticipation, and prepared themselves for this great event. The long awaited day finally arrived! The Jews were ready to receive the 10 Commandments. Hashem began, “I am Hashem your G-d, who has taken you out of Egypt.” The Jewish people couldn’t handle the great revelation of hearing the voice of Hashem, and their Neshamos departed from their bodies. It was necessary for Hashem to return their Neshamos back to them. Then they heard Hashem say, “You shall not have any other gods.” Once more their Neshamos left their bodies, and once again, Hashem brought them back to life. Immediately, the Jewish people approached Moshe and said, “We cannot handle this anymore, we want you to be our intermediary. Listen to the words of Hashem and then tell us what He has said.” Moshe agreed to their request, and Hashem told the other eight commandments only to Moshe, who in turn related them to the Jews. This taught the Jews a very important lesson. They realized that their connection to Hashem was solely through Moshe. They knew that if they were to hear anything directly from Hashem, they would die. Hashem was always going to communicate with them through Moshe. After they heard the 10 Commandments (on Shavuos), Moshe told them that he was going to go up on Har Sinai for forty days. He would learn the Torah from Hashem; and after forty days, he would come back and bring them the Luchos. Sure enough, on the next day, Moshe climbed the mountain. The Jews were very unhappy that Moshe would be away for more than a month. They began counting the days until Moshe’s return. They anxiously anticipated the arrival of the Luchos in the hands of their beloved leader.

Page 298 Learning Teachers Guide The forty days were almost up. The Jews excitement grew to a fevered pitch; Moshe was coming down with the Torah! On the fortieth day something went very wrong! According to their count, forty days had passed and there was still no sign of Moshe! Confusion reigned amongst the Jewish people. There were some people amongst the Jews who were called the “Erev Rav”. They pretended to do everything Moshe said, but they didn’t really care about Moshe, they only cared about themselves. They would only do what Moshe said if it was good for them, and if they thought it made sense. They did not fully believe in Moshe Rabbeinu. “Moshe is not coming down!” cried the Erev Rav. “He is staying up there! Woe! Woe is to us!” They thought Moshe had starved to death in heaven. However, most of the Jews believed with complete faith in the words of Moshe. If Moshe said that he would bring them the Torah in 40 days, then he most definitely would. They understood that Moshe was not subject to the physical laws of nature. Suddenly, in the middle of the day everything became pitch dark. Everyone looked up to the sky, and lo and behold they saw angels that were crying. They were carrying a bed. On the bed was their beloved Moshe...dead! Moshe was dead! Many Jews became upset. They sat down on the floor and started crying in mourning for Moshe. Some people said, “Well, we saw it with our own eyes. What can we say? It must be that we didn’t merit to receive the Torah.” The Erev Rav piped up again, “We have no one to connect us to Hashem! Now that Moshe is gone we need a new leader.” Moshe’s nephew Chur, admonished them, “Where is your Emunah? If Moshe promised us that he is coming down, then it is impossible to be otherwise!” “But we saw it with our own eyes,” they persisted. “Obviously, our eyes are deceiving us!” was his confident answer. “It can’t be!” people said, “We saw it!” The Erev Rav were so upset with Chur that they stoned him to death. By now the Erev Rav were in a frenzy. They ran over to Moshe’s brother Aharon and demanded, “We need a new leader, now !” Aharon tried to stall for time; he was certain that Moshe was going to come back down. He announced that if they wanted a new leader whoever possessed gold should bring it to him. Aharon was certain that they wouldn’t want to part with their valuables so easily; and by that time, Moshe would definitely be back. But Aharon had underestimated the Yetzer Hara! Within a very short time there was a pile of gold at Aharon’s feet. Swiftly a fire was kindled and all the gold was hurled into the flames. To everyone’s surprise a golden calf walked out of the burning flames! The Erev Rav exclaimed “This is your god, O Israel.”

Page 299 Learning Teachers Guide On the next day, Moshe did come down from the mountain with the Luchos. The Jews had miscalculated the 40 days. When Moshe saw the golden calf, the Luchos became heavy in his hands and they fell and broke. Incidentally, there were many Jews that did not sin. In fact, less then one percent of the Jews sinned! The entire tribe of Levi and all the women did not sin at all! The tribe of Levi was Moshe’s tribe, the ones who always studied with Moshe and strongly believed in him. They remained strong in their belief all along, because they were one hundred percent sure that every word Moshe said was true. Therefore, if Moshe said that he would be back in 40 days he would keep his word. The bed in the sky was certainly just to test them and was not real. They trusted Moshe and remained loyal to him. The Moshe Rabbeinu in our generation, the Rebbe, has told us that, “The leader of our generation will take us out of Golus.” The Rebbe prophesied that, “The time for Geulah has arrived.” The Rebbe has said on many occasions that “we are the last generation of Golus and the first generation of Geulah.” Hashem speaks to us through our Nassi, the Rebbe. The Rebbe transmits Hashem’s word. Therefore, we should not be fooled by outer appearances. That which the Rebbe has said, is completely true. Anything that seems to contradict this is only a test. In fact, this is the whole idea of Golus. Golus conceals Hashem’s presence in this world. It creates an optical illusion, so that we do not realize that in truth there is nothing but Hashem. Through believing in the words of Moshe we will merit the rebuilding of Yerushalayim and the Beis Hamikdosh with the coming of Moshiach right now! Questions for Review 1. List three reasons for the fast of the 17th of Tammuz. 2. List three customs for the 17th of Tammuz. 3. List three customs for the Three Weeks. 4. What can we learn from the story of the breaking of the Luchos? Story

The Western Wall The heavenly decree came into force: “The Beis each one to destroy one of the walls. Hamikdosh should be destroyed, and the Jews Three of them destroyed their walls, but the fourth should be driven out of their land!” Then Hashem whose job it was to destroy the Western Wall, did said: “But the Western Wall should not be not destroy it. destroyed, so that there will always be a reminder Titus ordered his guards to bring that general before that Hashem’s Glory resided there!” him. “Why did you not carry out my orders?” Titus Titus, the cruel Roman general, went on with his asked. work of destruction. When he took Jerusalem and “I swear by the Emperor’s life,” the general replied, surrounded the Beis Hamikdosh, he divided the four “that I did it for the honor of Rome. Had I destroyed walls between his four generals, and he ordered even the last wall, people would not know how

Page 300 Learning Teachers Guide great a sanctuary you had destroyed. Now, all who carrying a heavy sack on her back. Every few steps will see the remaining wall of the majestic Temple, she stopped for a rest, and then proceeded further. will exclaim: ‘What a hero Titus is! Look what a The Jew went over to help her. great sanctuary he had destroyed!’” “Where do you come from, old woman, and what “You are right, and you acted wisely,” Titus are you carrying?” the Jew asked her. answered him, “but because you did not obey my “I come from a village nearby, and I am carrying a command, climb up onto the roof and throw sack of garbage to throw on the hill.” yourself off. If you remain alive, I will grant you your life.” The Jew inquired wonderingly: “Do you have no room in your village for garbage, that you are The general obeyed, and jumped to his death. forced to bring it here?” The following story is told about the Western Wall: “You are a stranger here, it seems,” the old lady The Jews could not and would not forget their Beis answered. “It is an old custom for us to bring the Hamikdosh. Every year on Tisha B’Av the Jews garbage here to throw away. There once stood here assembled at the Western Wall to pour out their a stone wall that the Jews regarded as being holy, so hearts about the destruction, and beseech G-d to we were ordered to cover the wall. We used to rebuild the Beis Hamikdosh and to bring back all receive payment for doing this, but nowadays we Jews from the four corners of the earth to the Holy don’t receive a penny for it,” the old woman Land. croaked. She emptied her bundle and returned to her The Romans could not bear to see how resolutely village. the Jews kept to their religion, and how holy they The Jew remained standing as if frozen. Tears regarded the Western Wall. poured from his eyes. “I will not move from here The Roman rulers, therefore, issued an order to until I find a plan how to remove the dirt from here burn and destroy the Wall. It was of no avail; the and reveal the Western Wall once more.” fire did not burn the huge stones and the Wall He remained standing a while and suddenly his eyes remained complete. lit up... The Romans thought and thought until they hit upon The Jew started back to town and whomever he met a plan. They issued an order that all gentiles who he whispered into his ear: “They say that a big live in Jerusalem must dump their garbage daily treasure lies buried beneath the hill of dirt over near the Western Wall. They hoped that in time the there...” Wall would be entirely covered with garbage and it He took a shovel and a bucket and he started would disappear from view. digging in the hill of dirt, filling a bucket and Day in, day out, the heap of garbage grew near the emptying it in a ravine on the side. Western Wall. Bit by bit, the whole Wall was A short while later many more people arrived with covered. The gentiles rejoiced and the Jews shovels, buckets, etc. The whole city of Jerusalem mourned. was aroused at the announcement of a huge treasure Many years went by. A Jew from the Diaspora came lying beneath the hill. The whole population quickly to Yerushalayim to pour out his heart to G-d over settled down to work, digging and cleaning away the destruction. He was a great Tzaddik. He walked the dirt. through the streets of Jerusalem, seeking the They dug for a whole day till the upper stones of the Western Wall, but he could not find it. He asked the Beis Hamikdosh came into view. The sun set and inhabitants: “Where is the Western Wall?” They the people went home to rest from their day’s hard shrugged their shoulders, saying that they had never labors. Only one person remained on the hill- the in their lives seen the Western Wall. The Jew, Tzaddik. He embraced the stones of the Wall and however, did not give up hope. Day and night he with tears in his eyes, kissed them. He then took out went through the streets looking for the Western some golden coins, covered them with dirt and left. Wall. One day, he came upon a huge hill of ashes and garbage, and he wondered how there came to be The sun had hardly shown its face on the horizon, such a huge accumulation of garbage at this point. and the hill where the Western Wall stood, was Meanwhile, he noticed a very old gentile woman crowded with people.

Page 301 Learning Teachers Guide Suddenly there was an uproar. Someone had found garbage. They did not find the treasure, but in front a golden coin, and so did a second, and a third. The of their eyes a big stone wall appeared. people started to dig with even more enthusiasm. Suddenly a great storm broke out and a torrent of Every day the people assembled and they dug rain came down. It rained for three days and nights, deeper and deeper. The dirt that they dug, they washing the Western Wall clean from any traces of carried far away and went on digging. Every day a dirt, and when the people came out to see what they few golden coins were found, but they all said that had unearthed, they saw before them a handsome the real treasure lies at the bottom, at the very base wall with huge stones, some of them as much as ten of the Wall. feet high. As for the Jew, he dug and dragged the dirt the From then on, the Jews used to assemble by the same as everyone and he spent his entire fortune on Western Wall on Tisha B’Av to pour out their his holy mission to uncover the Western Wall. hearts to their Father in heaven, praying for the For forty days the inhabitants of Jerusalem dug complete redemption that He promised His people around the Western Wall and sought the “treasure” through our holy Prophets. and finally the whole Western Wall was cleared of May we merit the coming of Moshiach now.

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