The Benjamin and Rose Berger

Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary Yeshiva University Center for the Jewish Future THE BENJAMIN AND ROSE BERGER TORAH TO-GO® Established by Rabbi Hyman and Ann Arbesfeld August 2017 • Tisha B’av 5777 Dedicated in memory of Rabbi Meyer and Rose Kramer of Philadelphia PA הרב מאיר בן הרב חיים מנחם ז"ל ורייזל בת יהודה לייב ע"ה Featuring Divrei Torah from Rabbi Benjamin Blech • Rebbetzin Meira Davis • Mrs. Bracha Rutner Rabbi Hershel Schachter • Rabbi Dr. Moshe D. Tendler

PERSPECTIVES ON JEWISH LIFE IN DIASPORA COMMUNITIES Rabbi Dr. Warren Goldstein (South Africa) • Rabbi Arie Folger (Austria) • Rabbi Dani Rockoff (USA) Rabbi Dani Fabian (Germany) • Rabbi Saul Paves (Brazil) • Rabbi Daniel Korobkin (Canada)

1 Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary • The Benjamin and Rose Berger CJF Torah To-Go Series • Tisha B’av 5777 We thank the following synagogues which have pledged to be Pillars of the Torah To-Go® project

Beth David Synagogue Green Road Synagogue Young Israel of West Hartford, CT Beachwood, OH Century City Los Angeles, CA Beth Jacob Congregation The Jewish Center Beverly Hills, CA New York, NY Young Israel of Bnai Israel – Ohev Zedek Young Israel Beth El of New Hyde Park New Hyde Park, NY Philadelphia, PA Borough Park Koenig Family Foundation Young Israel of Congregation Brooklyn, NY Ahavas Achim Toco Hills Atlanta, GA Highland Park, NJ Young Israel of Lawrence-Cedarhurst Young Israel of Congregation Cedarhurst, NY Shaarei Tefillah West Hartford West Hartford, CT Newton Centre, MA

Rabbi Dr. Ari Berman, President, Yeshiva University Rabbi Dr. Kenneth Brander, Vice President for University and Community Life, Yeshiva University Rabbi Yaakov Glasser, David Mitzner Dean, Center for the Jewish Future Rabbi Menachem Penner, Max and Marion Grill Dean, Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary

Rabbi Robert Shur, Series Editor Rabbi Joshua Flug, General Editor Rabbi Michael Dubitsky, Content Editor Andrea Kahn, Copy Editor

This publication contains words of Torah. Please treat it with appropriate respect. For sponsorship opportunities, please contact Paul Glasser at 212.960.5852 or [email protected].

2 Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary • The Benjamin and Rose Berger CJF Torah To-Go Series • Tisha B’av 5777 Table of Contents Tisha B’av 2017/5777

Dedicated in memory of Rabbi Meyer and Rose Kramer of Philadelphia PA הרב מאיר בן הרב חיים מנחם ז"ל ורייזל בת יהודה לייב ע"ה

Introduction Rabbi Yaakov Glasser ...... Page 4 The Three Weeks and The Penitential Season: A Dedication In Honor Of My Parents Rabbi Doniel Zvi Kramer ...... Page 6 The Tragedy of Tisha B’av and the Redemption of Pesach Rabbi Benjamin Blech ...... Page 8 Making Tisha B’av More Meaningful Rebbetzin Meira Davis ...... Page 11 Yosef and Rabbi Yishmael Mrs. Bracha Rutner ...... Page 15 Are Children Obligated in Observances that Commemorate the Destruction of the Beis HaMikdash? Rabbi Hershel Schachter ...... Page 20 Shining the Light of Torah with Pride Rabbi Dr. Moshe D. Tendler ...... Page 23

SPECIAL FEATURE Perspectives on Jewish Life in Diaspora Communities Rabbi Dr. Warren Goldstein (South Africa) • Rabbi Arie Folger (Austria) Rabbi Dani Rockoff (USA) • Rabbi Dani Fabian (Germany) Rabbi Saul Paves (Brazil) • Rabbi Daniel Korobkin (Canada) ...... Page 25

3 Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary • The Benjamin and Rose Berger CJF Torah To-Go Series • Tisha B’av 5777 Introduction

ndowed with prophetic abilities from a very young age, Rabbi Yaakov Glasser Yirmiyahu Hanavi invests the Etotality of his being into becoming David Mitzner Dean, YU Center for the Jewish Future an elevated spiritual personality. Yet Rabbi, Young Israel of Passaic-Clifton his legacy was to be the one who foretold the impending destruction refugee is unable to do. I forgot prosperity, and uproot the normality of everyday of Yerushalayim. Hakadosh Baruch Rabbi Yirmeya said: That is the lack of life. Galus is manifest not only in Hu chooses Yirmiyahu to serve as the opportunity to bathe in the bathhouse. the more fundamental elements of conduit in relaying His discontent Rabbi Yochanan said: That is the lack Jewish exile, but also in the enduring with Am Yisrael. Yirmiyahu becomes of opportunity to engage in washing day-to-day challenges that we face the personification of pain, the bearer one’s hands and feet in hot water. Rabbi in an unredeemed world. It is the of bad news, as he pleads with the Yitzchak Nappacha said: Prosperity is a accumulation of those challenges that Jewish people to elevate their lives and pleasant bed and the pleasant bedclothes serve to pose the ongoing threat to change their ways. that are on it, which are not available in our survival as a vibrant and elevated Yirmiyahu’s emotional laments are exile. Rabbi Abba said: That is a made people. Yirmiyahu affirmed the notion expressed in the verses of Megilas bed, and a wife adorned, i.e., worthy of that the larger moments of suffering Eicha, and none more poignant than and suitable for Torah scholars. sometimes overshadow the more the third chapter — beginning with the Shabbat 25b (Translation: The constant difficulties that characterize words “Ani HaGever” — as Yirmiyahu William Davidson digital edition of the vicissitudes of our lives. bears witness to the calamities that the Koren Noé Talmud) This is true of individual challenges befell the Jewish people. This is a striking interpretation. The as well. So often, when someone Megilas Eicha states: verses are depicting the trauma and in our community is suffering, we devastation of Jerusalem’s destruction. imagine that it is the larger-than-life וַתִ זְנַחמִשָ לֹום ינַפְשִ ינָשִיתִ טֹובָ ה And yet, the Gemara interprets dimensions of that experience that And my soul is removed far off from the verses as portraying relatively make the challenge so unbearable. peace, I forgot prosperity. common conveniences that have Devoid of a solution to mitigate that Eicha 3:17 disappeared as a result of the churban. reality, we distance ourselves from The Gemara comments: Lighting Shabbos candles, utilizing the those enduring the challenge, leaving .bathhouse, washing ones hands and them feeling desperate and alone מאי ותזנח משלום נפשי אמר ר’ אבהו זו feet. Do these elements of life truly Often, engaging in the more detailed הדלקת נר בשבת נשיתי טובה אמר רבי ירמיה capture the anguish of Yirmiyahu? and smaller challenges of life can זו בית המרחץ )אמר רבי יוחנן( זו רחיצת ,The answer is that when reflecting alleviate a significant amount of pain ידים ורגלים בחמין ר’ יצחק נפחא אמר זו as so much of the challenge is indeed upon churban, we often focus on מטה נאה וכלים נאים שעליה ר’ אבא אמר the more extraordinary elements of found in the upending of normalcy זו מטה מוצעת ואשה מקושטת לתלמידי .destruction — the loss of our Beis that comes with life’s greatest tests חכמים. Perhaps we lack the capacity to propel “And my soul is removed far off from Hamikdash and its associated patterns the larger messianic solutions to our peace, I forgot prosperity” (Lamentations of Jewish life and the devastation exile — but we can take hold of the 3:17). What is: And my soul is removed of our Torah leadership and their smaller challenges of galus, and inch far off from peace? Rabbi Abbahu said: legacy. However, the losses that are by inch bring our world to a moment That is the lack of opportunity to engage often most penetrating to the core of redemption. in kindling the Shabbat lights, which a of our people are those that disrupt

4 Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary • The Benjamin and Rose Berger CJF Torah To-Go Series • Tisha B’av 5777 Our dream is for our lives to return בִרְ חֹבֹות יְרּושָ לִָם וְאִ יש מִשְ עַ נְתֹו בְ יָדֹו מֵ רֹב Rav Yehuda Amital z”tl would to normal. To walk the streets of יָמִים. ּורְ חֹבֹות הָעִ יר יִמָ לְאּו יְלָדִ ים וִילָ דֹות point out that Rabbi Akiva’s famous .Jerusalem without fear or trepidation מְשַחֲקִים בִרְ חֹבֹתֶיהָ . statement at the conclusion of Maseches Makkos, which depicts the So said the Lord of Hosts: Elderly men To raise our families, build our homes, enduring hope of the Jewish people, and women will once again sit in the and grow our communities with a employs a verse that speaks not of streets of Jerusalem, every man with his life devoted to avodas Hashem. May larger cataclysmic and miraculous staff in his hand from old age. And the we merit to see this dream come to messianic revelations but rather streets of the city shall be full of boys and fruition in our times. something different: girls playing in those streets. Zechariah 8:4-5 כֹה אָמַר ה’צְבָ אֹות עֹד יֵשְ בּו זְקֵ נִים ּוזְקֵ נֹות

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5 Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary • The Benjamin and Rose Berger CJF Torah To-Go Series • Tisha B’av 5777 The Three Weeks and The Penitential Season: A Dedication In Honor Of My Parents

am honored to dedicate this issue for which our People waited almost his rebbe, Rav Dr. Samuel Belkin, zt’l. of the Benjamin and Rose Berger 2,000 years. Their involvement in My father settled in Philadelphia to Torah To-Go in memory of my Hapoel Hamizrachi and religious attend law school, and there he met Idear parents, Rabbi Meyer and Mrs. Zionism gave meaning to those years my mother. Together they made the Rose Kramer, z’l. of their lives and ensured that Israel decision to consecrate their lives My father’s yahrzeit is on 7 Tammuz, would be one of their focal points. to the rabbinate in that city, where just ten days before the beginning How proud my father was when he Orthodoxy was especially abandoned of The Three Weeks. The yahrzeit of spoke at the brit milah in Israel of by many congregations. My my mother is on Tzom Gedalyah, his first Sabra grandchild, noting father would go on to teach part time 3 Tishrei, during the Ten Days of the restoration of the family to at the University of Pennsylvania Law Repentance. There is a chassidic saying Israel after 2,000 years. Whether School, but his full-time work would that the Hebrew letters of “Av” are an it be the heartfelt recitation of be to serve in congregations where the the Prayer for the State of Israel majority of congregants, like the city acronym for “Elul ba” — Elul is coming. With the approach of Av, we are already or commemorating the wondrous itself, were not religiously observant, on the threshold of the Penitential days of Yom Haatzmaut and Yom and seek to bring them closer to the season — the month of Elul with Yerushalayim, we, the generation ideals of Yahadut. My mother was its commitment to preparing for the living after these miracles, still need his full partner in these endeavors. In Yamim Noraim, the Days of Awe. to constantly remember the words this vein, my father not only worked of Isaiah 62:1: “For Zion’s sake I will with and related to his congregants, During this season of spiritual not be silent, and for Jerusalem’s sake I but also with Jews of all backgrounds, striving, growth and repentance, will not be still, until her righteousness and even with rabbis of other there are many lessons that can be emanates like bright light, and her denominations, whom he treated learned from my parents, who lived salvation blazes like a torch.” with respect — he always exemplified extraordinary lives full of chessed and treating all human beings with respect. devotion to Klal Yisrael. Kibbush Hakehillot and Kiruv I recall one very prominent Reform Rechokim: Reclaiming lost rabbi who would periodically call my Yerushalayim and Israel communities and bringing father with religious questions when near those who are distant that rabbi had a traditionally-raised The Three Weeks commemorate congregant who had some concern the destruction of the Holy Temples When my father learned in Yeshiva about proper Jewish practice, such and the exile of the Jews from Israel, University, Yeshivat Rabbeinu as when one can conduct a wedding and Yom Kippur concludes with the Yitzchok Elchanan (RIETS) after the conclusion of Shabbat or prayer for our return to Yerushalayim. in the 1930s and 40s, Orthodoxy was when one may not marry during My parents had the merit to see the in a steep decline and retreat around the days of the Omer and The Three rebirth of the Jewish Nation in the the country. My father embraced Weeks. My father would explain to Holy Land through the establishment Yeshiva’s commitment to kibbush me that these Reform rabbis may not of the State of Israel. This was a miracle hakehillot at the encouragement of have had these religious concerns in

6 Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary • The Benjamin and Rose Berger CJF Torah To-Go Series • Tisha B’av 5777 their own lives, but if a congregant of the freedom and liberty that the Hoshanah Rabbah to experience theirs had a religious bent, and that United States offered his family. He the special flavor of davening among rabbi sought to do the right thing had wanted to volunteer to be an the Chassidim. We should want in such circumstances, that too was American military chaplain during our families and congregants to a wonderful merit that these rabbis WWII, but was rejected for health experience the different kehillot in our earned. reasons, and he afterwards embraced midst. his civic responsibility by learning and For my parents, kiruv rechokim had two I learned an important and impactful teaching about American law and its facets: One was reaching out to those lesson at the age of 5 in Philadelphia’s relationship to Jewish law. May we distant from Jewish observance and Congregation Mikveh Israel. I was always remember the obligation trying to bring them closer. The other was given a small tallit to wear, and in to demonstrate and offer reaching out to them and befriending Hakarat that awesome and majestic sanctuary and be responsible and law- them, even if they remained “rechokim” Hatov of marble and silver, draped in abiding citizens. — distant and removed from our black bunting for Tishah B’Av, I was traditions! May we likewise have the escorted to the bimah to place the fortitude and compassion to reach Experiencing Different Jewish rimonim upon the Torah. This made out to all Jews and treat them with Communities and Styles of such an impression upon me at dignity and respect. Education that young age, that when I became a rav, I tried to find ways to invite all of The Orthodox Jewish community Civic Responsibility and the children in the congregation to is blessed with so many different Hakarat Hatov actively participate in some aspect of “aydot” (groups) that span the globe the Torah service, usually by carrying While my mother was born and centuries of religious expression, one of the Torah ornaments or yad and raised in Philadelphia, my i.e. Ashkenaz, Sepharad, Aydot from and to the aron hakodesh where father was born in Russia in the hamizrach, Taymani, Nusach ha’Ari, they were placed upon the Torah. early days of Communism, and his and Chassidic. My father thought I encourage other rabbonim to do the father and grandfathers, all rabbis, it was important to expose us to same. Another outreach opportunity faced persecution and prison. My these different nuschaot“ ” (liturgical for children that we instituted — father and his parents and sister were variations) via music and prayer especially those from non-observant able to escape to the United States experiences. Though his was a families where the father was not in when he was 7, and my grandfather typical Ashkenaz congregation, on shul or for those without fathers then served as a rav in various small Tishah B’Av, my father often took — was for my shul president and me communities throughout the United congregants to pray in Philadelphia’s to unite our talittot to create enough States. My father’s secular schooling historic colonial Congregation Mikve space for the children to join us under was in public schools through high Israel with its Spanish-Portuguese the tallit for Birkat Kohanim and to school, while his father was his traditions. The chanting of every sing along with the kohanim and personal rebbe. After high school, kinah with a specific, dirgeful tune, respond Amen, together with me. he left his parents’ home in Iowa, along with chapters of Aychah and Iyov recited with the Sepharadic with very little resources, as the Chesed family was poor, to enroll in Yeshiva cantillation, made Tishah B’Av there a very moving and meaningful College and RIETS. Hakarat Hatov “Olam chesed yibaneh” — the world — being appreciative for the good experience. [For those in New York, is built on kindness. How fortunate I rendered on one’s behalf — was a the same uplifting service can be was to grow up in a home of chesed lifelong trait of my father’s, who was — and should be — experienced and gemilut chasadim. May that be a indebted to Yeshiva University for in America’s first congregation, privilege granted to us all. Amen. his advanced education and personal Congregation Shearith Israel, The Doniel Zvi Kramer support, and for its commitment Spanish & Portuguese Synagogue.] to the preservation of traditional Another time, my father took us Judaism. He also always remembered to Williamsburg (Brooklyn) for

7 Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary • The Benjamin and Rose Berger CJF Torah To-Go Series • Tisha B’av 5777 The Tragedy of Tisha B’av and the Redemption of Pesach

ewish tradition recognizes that God makes His voice heard in many different ways. One of Rabbi Benjamin Blech themJ is by way of the connection Faculty, IBC Jewish Studies Program, Yeshiva University between events and the calendar, the link between a particular date and a divine message associated with it on a to befall the Jewish people. On the consternation that the Hebrew date recurring basis. ninth of Av, the First Temple was was the ninth of Av. 10,000 Jews were The calendar makes clear that destroyed by the Babylonians. That brutally slain in its first month and history isn’t haphazard. It expresses alone would have been enough for it Jewish communities in France and the divine order. It indicates God’s to become marked as a day of national Rhineland were decimated; a grand involvement in the affairs of mankind. fasting and mourning. But history total of 1.2 million Jews were killed by It demonstrates the seder of heavenly reconfirmed Tisha B’Av’s tragic reality this crusade that started on the ninth curse or blessing. Two vivid examples five centuries later. When the Romans of Av. stand out as prime illustrations: One approached the Second Temple and The Jews were expelled from England speaks in the language of punishment put it to the torch, the Jews were on July 25, 1290 — the ninth day of and retribution, the other via the shocked to realize that their Second Av. Similarly, the Jews were expelled loving tone of reward and redemption. Temple was destroyed on exactly the from France on July 21, 1306 — the same day as the first. The first is the tragic day of the ninth ninth day of Av. In 1492, the Golden of Av, the fast of Tisha B’Av. The A short time later, the Jews rebelled Age of Spain came to a close when second is the 15th of Nissan, the day against Roman rule. They believed Queen Isabella and her husband commemorating our liberation from that their leader, Simon bar Kochba, Ferdinand ordered that the Jews the slavery of Egypt, celebrated ever would fulfill their messianic longings. be banished from the land “for the since as the festival of Passover. But their hopes were cruelly dashed greater glory of the church and the in 135 CE as the Jewish rebels were Christian religion.” The edict of The ninth day of the month of Av has, brutally butchered in the final battle expulsion was signed on March 31, for millennia, been identified with at Betar. The date of the massacre? Of 1492, and the Jews were given exactly the most terrible tragedies of Jewish course — the ninth of Av! four months to put their affairs in history. It is almost beyond belief — order and leave the country. The and certainly far beyond statistical The First Crusade was declared by Pope Urban II on July 20, 1095 Hebrew date on which no Jews were probability — that one and the same allowed any longer to remain in the day could have served as the identical — and when Jews looked at their calendars they realized to their great land where they had enjoyed welcome date for the greatest catastrophes and prosperity for centuries? Of

Find more shiurim and articles from Rabbi Benjamin Blech at http://www.yutorah.org/Rabbi-Benjamin-Blech

8 Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary • The Benjamin and Rose Berger CJF Torah To-Go Series • Tisha B’av 5777 course you know it had to be — the 300 others, on Monday July 18, 1994. the pessimistic words, they wept. And ninth of Av. On the Jewish calendar, the ninth of God was profoundly angered by their More recently: Historians agree that Av, 5754. lack of trust and faith. It was then that World War II and the Holocaust These cannot all be meaningless He decreed that this generation was were actually the long drawn out coincidences. Indeed, Jewish scholars unworthy of seeing the fulfillment of conclusion of World War I, which long ago linked them to a biblical the promise that they doubted. They began in 1914. Barbara Tuchman incident. Tisha B’Av has a Torah would need to spend forty more years wrote a book about that first great source. The tragedies of the ninth day in the desert until the last remnant of these people with insufficient faith World War, which she called The Guns of Av are all rooted in the same story passed away. The day of that sin, when of August. Had a Jewish scholar written responsible for the Jews being denied the book, perhaps it would have been entering the promised land of Canaan the Jews wept for no reason, was the titled with a more specific date than on their journey from Egypt. The trip ninth day of Av. “You wept today for just a month. Yes, amazingly enough, from Mount Sinai could have been no reason,” God declared. “Whenever the First World War also began, on the a very short one. The wandering in there will be occasion in the future Hebrew calendar, on the ninth day of the wilderness might have taken just to weep, it will continue to be on this Av, on Tisha B’Av. weeks instead of forty years were it very day.” (Ta’anit 29a) And still more: On August 2nd, not for the sin of the spies — a sin That edict was a powerful statement 1941, on the ninth day of the Hebrew which so greatly angered God that He about the concept of calendric linkage. month of Av, SS commander Heinrich decreed that entire generation needed God is not only the creator of the Himmler received approval from the to die out before the Jews could enter universe. He continues to be involved Nazi party for “The Final Solution.” the holy land. with it. History is not a series of One year later, to the day, the plan The Torah tells us the story. God had coincidences or inexplicable fate. And was formally implemented, the plan assured the people of the blessings that truth is repeatedly demonstrated for the genocidal elimination of the of the Land and of their ability, with by the remarkable correspondence entire Jewish people. On the ninth divine assistance, to readily conquer between specific dates and their of Av 5702 (July 23, 1942), the mass it. But the people doubted God’s significance for the Jewish people. deportation of all the Jews from the word. They insisted on sending out Tisha B’Av is rooted in tragedy. Its Warsaw Ghetto began, en route to the spies to verify for themselves the truth recurring message is the threat to death camp of Treblinka. of God’s promise. Twelve spies, one Jewish survival. And yet remarkably And yet still more: The Jewish for each tribe, scoured the land; ten enough there is within it a message of community center in Buenos Aires returned with a fearful and negative consolation and comfort. What is the was bombed, killing 86 and wounding report. When the Jewish people heard name of the month whose ninth day

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9 Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary • The Benjamin and Rose Berger CJF Torah To-Go Series • Tisha B’av 5777 has been so filled with misfortune? the Lord, to take them out of the a remarkable custom that seems very It is Av — the Hebrew word for land of Egypt; this night is the strange — a custom that links the two father. No matter what happens, our Lord’s, guarding all the children of days we have seen were decreed to Father is still in heaven and we are Israel throughout their generations.” two such dissimilar and contrasting still His children. God knows what is [Exodus 12:42] Because of the Jewish verdicts. On the very night we look happening. God cares. He will never commitment to God on this night forward to redemption, we have a forsake us. It is the message of the of the 15th of Nissan, this very day tradition of eating a hard-boiled egg, calendar and its seemingly impossible will be blessed with similar moments which many commentators explain coincidences that at the same time of joy and divine recompense in the is meant to commemorate the meal reassures us of God’s presence in spite future, culminating with messianic of mourning immediately prior to of all the calamities that befall us. redemption. It is the concept of beginning the fast of Tisha B’Av. And that is how the tragedy of Tisha calendric linkage — but this time for What is the meaning of this seemingly B’Av remarkably enough became positive purpose. bizarre connection? linked with the joyous festival of The lack of faith of the Jews in the It is the same truth that is expressed Passover. desert on the ninth day of Av a long in yet another amazing way. Tradition time ago doomed it to perpetual Just as the ninth of Av was destined teaches us that Messiah will be born on mourning. The demonstration of faith for sorrow, Passover was set aside for Tisha B’Av. What can the two possibly salvation. And just as Tisha B’Av has by the Jews who observed the first have in common? The answer is its list of horrible events throughout Passover on the 15th of Nissan imbued profound: From the tragedy of the one history, the 15th of Nissan has its that day with everlasting blessing. comes the redemption of the other. moments of divine intervention for It is at the Seder that we open the By rectifying the sin of the lack of faith blessing. The sorrows as well as the door for Elijah, the prophet appointed responsible for the divine decree of joys of the Jewish people share divine to announce the Messiah’s imminent Tisha B’Av, we will be worthy of the scrutiny and direction. arrival. It is at the Seder that we pour a blessing of redemption. It was on the 15th of Nissan that our cup of wine for Elijah to demonstrate What both of them, the 15th of ancestors in Egypt had the courage how confident we are we will surely Nissan and the ninth of Av, share is to take the blood of the lamb, the be privileged to greet him. It is at recognition of the Seder of history. national god of Egypt, and smear it the Seder, on the very same night To grasp the recurring message of on their door posts, the most public of the 15th of Nissan when our the calendar is to confirm God as demonstration of their rejection of ancestors were first redeemed, that the ultimate power behind human Egyptian idolatry and their faith in we demonstrate our faith in a historic events — and to believe with certainty God. As reward, God proclaimed, repetition of that moment. the fulfillment of our prophetically “This is a night of anticipation for It is at the Seder as well that we have promised destiny.

No matter what happens, our Father is still in heaven and we are still His children. He will never forsake us. It is the message of the calendar and its seemingly impossible coincidences that at the same time reassures us of God’s presence in spite of all the calamities that befall us.

10 Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary • The Benjamin and Rose Berger CJF Torah To-Go Series • Tisha B’av 5777 Making Tisha B’av More Meaningful

he tragedies of Tisha B’Av began in the desert with the episode of the spies Rebbetzin Meira Davis Twho were sent to scout the land of Director of Rebbetzins Programming, Canaan. When Bnai Yisrael heard the Center for the Jewish Future, Yeshiva University slanderous report of ten of the twelve spies, the Torah records: are still mourning and trying to keep of the Bais Hamikdash, and finished וַתִשָ א כָלהָעֵדָ הוַיִתְנּו תאֶ קֹולָם וַיִבְ כּו הָעָ ם .Tisha B’Av relevant for our families as it by spray-painting the whole thing בַלַיְלָה הַ הּוא. The whole community broke into loud we pray for the building of the Bais He then lit a match and the teens cries, and the people wept that night. Hamikdash in our time. When my watched in disbelief as the project Bamidbar 14:1 children were younger, they asked a in which they had invested so much question that I am sure many other time and energy went up in flames. A Our rabbis identify this day on the children (and adults) ask: “Why do meaningful discussion ensued about calendar as Tisha B’Av, and teach us we need three weeks to mourn the what the Bais Hamikdash represented that in response, Hashem said: destruction of the Temples? Isn’t that — and how great its loss was to the .a little much?” Perhaps the answer is Jewish nation אתם בכיתם בכיה של חנם ואני קובע לכם that we have no firsthand memories When one of my daughters was בכיה לדורות. You cried for nothing, I’ll give you a of the destruction of the two Temples, a counselor in camp, she had her reason to cry for generations. and therefore, it is necessary to have campers write down their hopes Ta’anis 29a a prolonged mourning period to and dreams and talk about how cultivate an emotional response to the they would feel if all their hopes and A story is told story that the French ancient tragedies. leader, Napoleon Bonaparte, was dreams were destroyed. She tried walking in Paris on Tisha B’Av. Here are some thoughts and to impress upon her campers that it He passed a synagogue and heard suggestions on ways to make Tisha wasn’t just a building that was burned the sounds of people weeping and B’Av a meaningful and valuable — it was the center of their lives. lamenting in a foreign language. When experience to people of different ages Homes were destroyed and families he inquired why the men inside were and at different stages. were torn apart, buried, and exiled far sitting on the floor and mourning, he away. She created characters of similar was told that they were Jews grieving Making it Real ages and personalities of the campers for their Temple, which had been and used storylines from some of the destroyed in Jerusalem almost 1,800 In my husband’s first years as rabbi midrashim as a means of telling stories years earlier. Napoleon supposedly of the Young Israel of Hollywood, that her campers could relate to. said, “If the Jews are still crying after Florida, he did a project with the Years later, she is now the mother so many hundreds of years, then I am teenagers (not appropriate for every of four young children, and making certain the Temple will one day be age group) on Tisha B’Av to create an Tisha B’Av real for her children takes rebuilt!” understanding of the loss our nation on a different form. During the Nine incurred. He spent hours with the It is now a few centuries later and we Days, she designates a wall in their teens constructing a miniature version

11 Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary • The Benjamin and Rose Berger CJF Torah To-Go Series • Tisha B’av 5777 home on which to build the Bais shul. Rabbi Elazar HaKalir’s kinnah born in 1915 in Flieden, Germany, a Hamikdash. She cuts out rectangles Eichah Yashvah Chavatzeles HaSharon small town close to Fulda. When my from brown and beige paper that are identifies 24 kohanic cities. This is the husband asked him how many Jews meant to look like bricks. On these only place in rabbinic literature where all lived there, Opa said that there were bricks, the family writes various of these cities are identified. The above only 25 Jewish families in Flieden, mitzvos that they perform to help mentioned halacha of a minyan of only and 23 of them were kohanim (Katz, bring the Mashiach and rebuild the kohanim is not hypothetical. It played Katzenstein, Katzmann, et al). He third Bais Hamikdash. out in these 24 cities. became a Bar Mitzvah on Parshas When we sit in shul and read the This kinnah, which some might Tzav, 1928, Shabbat HaGadol. He kinnos, we can find ways to make the categorize as “dry,” came alive for remembered going up to duchan story personal. My husband notes that my husband through the personal that Pesach with his father and older our family has a personal connection life story of my father, Mr. Erwin brothers, and nobody was in the men’s section of the shul. Some women and to Kinnah #10 — Eichah Yashvah Katz, z”l. Opa, as we called him, was children were in the balcony women’s Chavatzeles HaSharon. How do we present a section. This kinnah now became A Talmudic passage is codified in the alive and real. When we think about Shulchan Aruch, O.C. 128:25. In a positive attitude toward the destroyed cities mentioned in the congregation that is made up entirely of our children while still kinnah, we can also reflect on the little kohanim, if there are only ten present, towns throughout Europe that were they all go up to duchan. But who are feeling the destruction of destroyed. Each had their own special they blessing? Their fellow Jews, who are the Beis HaMikdash on character including Flieden, a town all in the fields. Who responds “Amen”? that paralleled the cities destroyed in The women and children who are in the inside? Eichah Yashvah Chavatzeles HaSharon.

JEWISH EDUCATION HAS ALWAYS BEEN YOUR PRIORITY. WHY STOP NOW?

12 Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary • The Benjamin and Rose Berger CJF Torah To-Go Series • Tisha B’av 5777 Tisha B’Av for Those with One of my daughters achieves this as a family. When my children were Younger Children balance by dedicating some of the younger, we would spend time in night of Tisha B’Av, after the children Onset, Massachusetts. My children For those with young children, it can are sleeping, to listening to a recording remember Tisha B’Av as a day when be challenging to connect emotionally of the reading of Eicha to put herself my husband held a small yom iyun with Tisha B’Av. We aren’t supposed to in the right frame of mind. She then (day of study) for the family, and we express happy and positive emotions avails herself of other books and all participated in learning about Tisha but our children need our warmth and online resources to take the time B’Av. The older children watched smiles. How do we present a positive without her children around to Holocaust-related movies. They attitude toward our children while connect to Tisha B’Av. Some years, if remember Tisha B’Av as a family day still feeling the destruction of the Beis there was a time that all her children — not of fun, but of meaning. HaMikdash on the inside? Another were occupied, she would partner Sometimes, a little creativity helps challenge that my daughters (and up with a friend attending the Tisha too. One of my daughters pointed many others with young children) B’Av videos. The friend would put out to me that if your children need face is the inability to go to shul her phone near the speaker so my to watch videos to pass the day, have because their children are not old daughter could listen in. Other years, them watch cooking videos or other enough. When they were younger, she would plan to be with some food-related videos so that the adults the emotions of Tisha B’Av were friends — the children could play and who are supervising them and the stirred by hearing the reading of Eicha the adults could talk about Tisha B’av- older children can have a little more or by attending the Kinnos. Those related topics to emote and inspire inui nefesh (affliction) while they are opportunities are no longer available one another. fasting. for them. Tisha B’Av day can also be an opportunity to connect to Tisha B’Av

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13 Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary • The Benjamin and Rose Berger CJF Torah To-Go Series • Tisha B’av 5777 Reflecting on the Galus desires, and different ways to reach and same theme runs within Tehillim 130 קִ ּוִיתִי ה’, קִ ּוְתָ ה נַפְ ִ שי; :(Experience fulfill them. (my favorite perek וְלִדְבָרֹו הֹוחָ לְ ִ תי I live in my own personal Galut. I . — “I hope for Hashem, Tisha B’Av is not only about am alone, and most of the time I am my soul hopes, and in His word, I hope contemplating previous tragedies. It is lucky not to be lonely. But where is my (Tehillim 130:5).” a day to take inventory of our current husband? Where are my children? I Somehow I hope. Whether it is my situation in exile. Whether we live inconsistent faith in Hashem, my מֹו ִ שיבִ י, .feel barren inside sometimes in Eretz Yisrael or in the Diaspora, everlasting love for my family, or some .עֲקֶרֶ ת הַ ַ ביִת אֵם-הַ ָ בנִים ש ְמֵחָה:הַ לְלּויָ-ּה we all have our own personal galus- He restores the barren woman to the unknown strength within me, I hope. On related challenges and Tisha B’Av is house, into a joyful mother of children. a day like today, I can think of the words our opportunity to ponder them. I עֹוד לֹא אָבְדָה תִקְ וָתֵ נּו, :Halleluy-ah (Tehillim 113:9).” from HaTikvah would like to share a meaningful email Our hope is“ … הַתִקְ וָה בַת שְנֹות אַ לְ ַ ּפיִם that one of my daughters sent out Most days, it may not be appropriate not yet lost, the hope of two thousand right before Tisha B’Av reflecting on to express such strong feelings freely. years.” I am blessed to see my own family her sister making Aliyah and on the But today is the most dramatic day of living in Eretz Yisrael, I am blessed that I challenge of being single: mourning of the year in the history of the Jewish people. So let me be dramatic can be so close to my family, I am blessed, מָה-אָ ִ שיב לַ ה’ I just finished my Seudah Hamafseket today. Let me bare my heart, my pain, I am blessed, I am blessed. ָ כל ַ תגְמּולֹוהִי עָלָ י of bread and a hard-boiled egg dipped and my tears to you. And let me not be . … “How can I repay in ashes and salt water. Well, the salt ashamed. For maybe this too will help Hashem for all his kindness toward me? water was from my tears — guess I the Geulah come closer. (Tehillim 116:12)” was in the moment. I decided to take a Even though I cry and mourn, I am few moments before I head over to shul So why am I baring my soul right now? thankful. to hear Eicha and share a few of my A verse in Eicha struck me in particular רְ אֵ ה ה’ ִיכ צַר-לִ י, מֵעַי חֳמַרְ מָ רּו- :(thoughts with you. (1:20 See, Hashem, how Concluding Remarks“ ... - נֶ הְ ּפַ ך לִ ִ בי ְ בקִ רְ ִ בי I’ve been dreading Tisha B’Av for a few distressed I am, my insides churn; my weeks now, ever since I realized that it is heart is turned over within me...” I need Now that my children are no longer the day I’ll say goodbye to my sister and to say to my family, “See!” I’m burning at home, I don’t have the same her family before they move to Israel. Of inside, and my heart is turned over, and challenges that younger families face course, this is not a tragedy, chas v’shalom, you are the people I love most in this on Tisha B’Av. I am able to watch the quite the opposite. Making Aliya, fulfilling world, so I need you to hear me. Just broadcast of Rabbi Jacob J. Schacter’s the dream of living life in Eretz Yisrael, Kinnos presentation and go to shul to שִיר הַ מַעֲלֹות:מִ מַעֲמַּקִ ים .listen, nothing else where just the mere act of living daily life ,view inspiring videos. But this year קְרָאתִ יָך ה’. ה’ שִמְעָה בְקֹולִ י: תִהְיֶינָה אָ זְנֶיָך, becomes intrinsically more meaningful — A Song of connecting to Tisha B’Av will present a“ … .קַ ֻ שבֹות--לְ קֹול, תַחֲ נּונָי this is certainly the opposite of a tragedy. Ascents. Out of the depths I cry to You, unique challenge for my husband and But it is not the same, going from being O Lord. Lord, listen to my voice; let me. Erev Tisha B’Av coincides with July able to see someone frequently, to just Your ears be attentive to the voice of my 31st, the final day of my husband’s 45- once or twice a year. I’m trying my best supplications (Tehillim 130:1-2).” year career as a pulpit rabbi and 36 years not to complain, to lament every time I as rabbi of our shul. For some of our talk to anyone about this, but my heart is Sometimes I feel like Hashem doesn’t congregants, it may add to the sadness breaking inside me. hear me. How many times have I shed of the day and for others, it may have a tears on Yom Kippur, praying for myself This is what Galut is — to feel my family different effect. For us, it will be a novel זָכֹור ִ תזְכֹור, וְתָ שֹוחַ ?and for so many others apart with an ocean between us. This way to spend his first day of retirement ,My soul remembers well“ … עָלַי נַפְשִי is not an oppression of the body, but an while suppressing the good feelings that and makes me despondent.” (Eicha oppression of the soul. We are a diverse should accompany it. Be’ezras Hashem, זֹאת אָ ִ שיב אֶ ל-לִ ִ בי, עַ ל- ֵ כן …And yet (3:20 family, and I am so proud of all that we the Mashiach should arrive so we can ,Yet, this I bear in my heart“ … .אֹוחִ יל represent and accomplish. But diversity all rejoice in the building of the Bais and I will still hope” (Eicha 3:21). This means we have different goals, different Hamikdash as Tisha B’Av becomes resonates so strongly within me, and the transformed into a yom tov.

14 Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary • The Benjamin and Rose Berger CJF Torah To-Go Series • Tisha B’av 5777 Yosef and Rabbi Yishmael

n the Ninth of Av, we read the kinah Arzei Halevanon (#21) about the Ten Martyrs Mrs. Bracha Rutner Oand their deaths at the hands of the Assistant Principal, Yeshiva University High School Romans. More detail is provided for Girls in the Eleh Ezkerah prayer recited during the chazan’s repetition of mussaf on Yom Kippur. Both Arzei the sacrifices in the Beit Hamikdash. Ten Martyrs? Let us first examine his Halevanon and Eleh Ezkerah are based Tisha B’Av by contrast is not a day of history. on versions of the “Asarah Harugei atonement, but a day of mourning. If The earliest story about Rabbi Malkhut” (The Ten Martyrs) account the destruction of the Beit Hamikdash Yishmael is recounted in the in Midrash Asarah Harugei Malkhut requires mourning, it is incumbent Jerusalem Talmud, Horayot 3:4: and other later midrashim.1 These upon the Jewish people to recount on מעשה בי רבי יהושע שעלה לרומי אמרו על prayers provide detailed descriptions Tisha B’Av all the major catastrophes תינוק אחד ירושלמי שהיה אדמוני עם יפה of the torture and martyrdom of and disasters that have befallen them.2 עינים וטוב רואי וקצוותיו מסודרות לו תלתלים the Ten Rabbis in the period after Why do we read kinot? Kinot are a והוא עומד בקלון והלך רבי יהושע לבודקו ;the Second Temple’s destruction profound response to Jewish tragedy. כיון שהגיע לפתחו נענה ר' יהושע ואמר לו the rabbis include Raban Shimon In the modern era, it is difficult for מי נתן למשימה יעקב וישראל לבודדים הלא b. Gamliel, R. Yishmael the Kohen many to lament the loss of a building ה' )ישעיהו מב:כד( נענה התינוק ואמר לו זו .Gadol, R. Haninah b. Teradion, R that we never utilized, of a lifestyle חטאנו לו ולא אבו בדרכיו הלוך ולא שמעו Hutzpit the Meturgeman, R. Elazar that we never lived. The kinot are בתורתו מיד זלגו עיניו דמעות ואמר מעיד אני .b. Shamua, R. Hanina b. Hakinai, R read to enable us feel the sadness, עלי את השמים ואת הארץ שאיני זז מיכן עד .Yesheivav the Scribe, R. Yehudah b stir emotion in us and reflect on שאפדנו ופדאו בממון הרבה ושילחו לארץ Dama, and R. Yehudah b. Baba. They our past.3 Reading about the galut, ישראל וקרא עליו הפסוק הזה בני ציון היקרים are executed by the Roman emperor mothers eating their children and וגו' )איכה ד:ה(. as “punishment” for Joseph’s sale by gedolim having their skin flayed, may his ten brothers (Genesis 37). An incident is told of Rabbi Yehoshua help us focus on the tragedies of the who went to Rome. There he was told The focus of the two tefillot is day. Each kinah has its own unique about a child from Jerusalem with a different; the kinah is recited while we message; focuses on Eleh Ezkerah ruddy complexion, beautiful eyes, a are sitting on the floor, lamenting the individuals who died for the sake of handsome face and curly locks of hair, destruction of the Beit Hamikdash the community at large. who was imprisoned in a slave jail. and the loss of our sages, while the I believe that there may be another Rabbi Yehoshua went to examine him. tefillah on Yom Kippur is said to motivation for including the martyrs As he reached the entrance, he recited: remind us about the essence of the in the service of Tisha B’Av. One of “Who gave up Jacob to the spoiler, and day, our request to God to forgive our the Ten Martyrs was Rabbi Yishmael, Israel to the robbers? Surely the Lord?” sins. In addition, the purposes and Ishmael b. Elisha hakohen, a tannah (Isaiah 42:24). The child answered and objectives for the recital of the story who lived during the first and second said: “Against Him we have sinned, He on Tisha B’Av and Yom Kippur are centuries. He is known for his famous in whose ways they would not walk, and different. On Yom Kippur, the story thirteen hermeneutical principles that whose law they would not obey.” (Isaiah of the Ten Martyrs is recited because many recite before Pesukei D’Zimra 42:24). Thereupon Rabbi Yehoshua’s our sages tell us (Moed Katan 18a) each morning.4 Who was Rabbi eyes filled with tears, and he said: “I call that the death of the righteous serves Yishmael and why was he one of the heaven and earth as my witnesses that as a kapara, an atonement, as did

15 Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary • The Benjamin and Rose Berger CJF Torah To-Go Series • Tisha B’av 5777 I shall not budge from this spot until I Galilee (this does seem to contradict Why does he judge his family so have redeemed this child!” He redeemed the Talmud in Horayot). However harshly? If they were in fact kohanim, him for a prodigious sum of money prestigious his family was as kohanim, they would be the leaders of their and sent him to the land of Israel. And he levels a harsh indictment against community. Leaders are held to a concerning him, the Torah has said: “The them for their actions. higher standard because they are supposed to set the example and אמר ר' ישמעאל: מבעלי בתים שבגליל העליון precious sons of Zion, worth their weight .be the moral guides for the nation היו בית אבא, ומפני מה חרבו? שהיו מרעין in fine gold. How they are reckoned Rabbi Yishmael understood this and בחורשין, ודנין דיני ממונות ביחיד, ואע"פ as earthen pots, the work of a potter’s so recognized the leadership failings שהיו להם חורשים סמוך לבתיהם, שדה קטנה .(hands.” (Lamentations 4:2 of his family. And yet, he himself did היתה ומעבירין דרך עליה. The Talmud Bavli,Gittin 58a, has a more concise version of this story and not succumb to their failures and Rabbi Yishmael said: My father’s house specifically identifies the child as R. survived. But his survival mandated in Galil was destroyed because they used Yishmael. There are many details we time in jail. to graze small animals in forests and learn about Rabbi Yishmael from this judge monetary cases alone (without a Rabbi Yishmael had a deep affinity for story. It is interesting to note that the Beit Din of three). Even though they had logic and for grounding every concept Talmud describes in detail his beauty; forests near their houses, someone else and idea in the Written Torah. He his complexion and his hair stand out owned a small field on the way to the believed that the Torah contains its as unique. Not many sages have their forest. own logical underpinnings, and thus looks described in detail in this way. He blames their destruction on we must study it using our powers of He is in jail in Rome as a child, for reasoning. If it were possible to reach their violation of halakha. In Baba what reason we are not told, although a particular conclusion by means of we can assume he was imprisoned Kamma 81, the Talmud describes the institution of Yehoshua, who forbade human logic, then there would be no because he was Jewish. We learn reason for the Torah to bother stating that from a young age, he was well the grazing of animals in the fields so that the land would instead be built the law. He also was of the opinion educated, knowledgeable and had that the Torah should be interpreted incredible insight into the Torah. and settled. But for the purposes of animal husbandry, the grazing was using everyday language and that Rabbi Yishmael is a kohen, clearly Torah learning should be accessible permitted. While Rabbi Yishmael’s 6 coming from a prestigious family. family observed this edict by taking to all. He had a deep understanding According to the Gemara in Baba their animals to graze in the forest, of the Torah and a unique insight, Kamma 80a, he was from the upper they earned Rabbi Yishmael’s censure which he wanted to make accessible to for infringing on the rights of their all those who wanted to learn Torah. neighbors by passing through the Logic, insight and understanding are the traits attributed to him, and so R. Akiva’s Insight small field on their way to the forest.5 his death is peculiarly painful. It is וכשנהרגו רבי שמעון ורבי ישמעאל, In Sanhendrin 5a, the Talmud lists described in detail in Eleh Ezkerah: several cases in which a single אמר להם רבי עקיבא לתלמידיו. התקינו מַה מְ אד בָכָה עָלָיו בַחֲרָדָ ה/בַת בְלִיַעַל לְ קֹול individual would be permitted to עצמכם לפורענות, שאלו טובה עתידה בְכִיָתֹו שֶל רַ בִ י יִשְמָעֵ אל עָמְדָ ה/ אַ ת ריָפְיֹו בְלִבָ ּה rule on financial matters — if one לבא בדורנו, לא היו מקבלים אותה אלא חָמְדָ ה/וְשָאֲ לָה מֵאֵת אָבִיהָחַ יָתֹו לְהַעֲמִידָ ה/ were an expert, or if one received רבי שמעון ורבי ישמעאל. נִאֵץ בְלִיַעַל דָבָ ר זֶה לַעֲ שֹותֹו/לְהַפְשִ יט עֹורֹו When R. Shimon and express permission from the exilarch. מֵעַ ל ָ ּפנָיו שָאֲ לָה מֵאִ תֹו/וְלא עִכֵב דָבָ ר זֶה R. Yishmael were killed, Rabbi Yishmael blames his family לַעֲ שֹותֹו/ּוכְשֶהִ גִיעַ לִמְקֹום תְ פִלִין חצָרַ בְקֹול מַ ר R. Akiva said to his students, for adjudicating financial matters לְ ריֹוצֵ נִשְמָ תֹו. “Prepare yourselves for suffering, independently without judicial because if our generation was license. This is not a clear biblical How very much he trembled as he wept! meant to have positive experiences, prohibition, yet Rabbi Yishmael The daughter of the wicked one was the beneficiaries would have been considers this to be one the reasons silenced by the voice of Rabbi Yishmael’s R. Shimon and R. Yishmael. his family’s home was destroyed. crying. She coveted his physical beauty Mechilta to Shemot 22:22 and begged her father to let him live. The

16 Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary • The Benjamin and Rose Berger CJF Torah To-Go Series • Tisha B’av 5777 wicked one refused to grant her request! Yosef.7 How can we understand this to have the coat made for him, but She then asked him to flay Rabbi connection? Yosef also does nothing to improve Yishmael’s face and he did not refrain We must first examine the history of the situation or to improve the from doing so. When the executioner Yosef. When we first meet Yosef, we relationship with his family. reached the place of the tefillin, Rabbi are told in Parshat Vayeshev, (37:2), The Torah proceeds to tell us about Yishmael yelled out a bitter scream to his that he is “ro’eh et echav” — a shepherd Yosef’s dream. A dream he chooses creator. of his brothers, and he is “na’ar et to share with his brothers, practically While his beauty did not impact him bnei Bilha v’et bnei Zilpah” — a lad begging them to hear the dream in life, it did play a significant role in of his brothers. He shared with his out — shimu na hachalom hazeh, his death. There is another individual brothers a common profession, but please, listen to this dream (37:6). in the Torah who was also known was separate from them as implied Many commentators say he shared for his beauty: Yosef Hatzaddik. In by the use of the word “et” in place of this dream to show his brothers that Sefer Breishit, chapter 39 verse 6 it is the classic word im — with. He spoke he wanted to rule over them, but it written: negatively about his brothers to his is possible that this na’ar, this young father and his brothers hate him, as we child, just wanted some attention and ... ויהי יוסף יפה תאר ויפה מראה. are told in verses that follow. wanted to know what his brothers … Behold Yosef was an attractive man. Why do they hate him so? The real think. If we look at the details, we see Rabbi Yishmael was martyred a boy desperate to have a closeness because of the sale of Yosef reason is because he is beloved by his father who shows his favoritism for to his brothers. According to Rav Hatzaddik, and there seem to be Shimshon Raphael Hirsch, Yosef was many parallels between the two men. Yosef by bestowing upon him a special coat (37:3). Yosef didn’t choose to saying that in his dream, he and his In fact according to kabbalah, Rabbi brothers are not divided but united Yishmael is the reincarnation of be the beloved son, he didn’t choose NOWHERE BUT HERE

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17 Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary • The Benjamin and Rose Berger CJF Torah To-Go Series • Tisha B’av 5777 When we think of a tzaddik we often think of Pharaoh declares that there is no man with more binah or chachma than a perfect person. Why did Yosef warrant to be Yosef (41:39). called tzaddik? Because he was not perfect — What are binah and chachmah? Chachmah is intelligence and tzaddikim aren’t born, they develop over time. knowledge. Binah is insight and intuition — the ability to assess a situation in its entirety and deduce the and work together. When he tried to they are troubled, Yosef asks: madua appropriate next steps. These are the bring his sheaf to join the group, it p’neichem ra’im hayom — why are you traits that Yosef now embodies. stood up by itself and then everyone’s sad? (40:7) His ability to read the It is interesting to note that in Sefer 8 sheaves bowed down to his. situation and appropriately respond Devarim, chapter 1, verse 13, when Yosef may not have known what to it is improving, as he is able to tease Moshe describes the traits of a judge, the dream meant, but the brothers out their dreams. he says the two most important immediately viewed this as a threat What is interesting here is that traits are chachmah and bina. What — their younger brother wanted to despite Yosef’s assistance, the butler does a judge do? He ensures that rule over them, to be their master. forgets about Yosef’s request to help there is tzedek, righteousness, among And his brothers hated him for that. him. Why? Because in the midst Am Yisrael. Only someone with Seeing their disdain for him, Yosef of interpreting the dreams, Yosef chachmah and binah can truly be had a choice: would he try to bridge specifically asks the butler to save him called a righteous person, a tzaddik. this growing gap with them or push and voices a complaint that he had The Yosef we now know clearly them further apart? Yosef makes a been wrongfully imprisoned and was embodies chachmah — this is the choice and tells over his second dream completely innocent. This complaint trait that enabled him to interpret to the brothers, again pushing the was ill timed and ill conceived, and, dreams. As for binah, the ability to vision of him ruling over his family. most important, reflective of his old assess a situation and understand what This cemented his brothers’ hatred tendency to be self-absorbed. was needed? It took him many trials and tribulations but he eventually and jealousy of him (37:8). While his In the final act of Yosef’s redemption, achieved this state, which enabled him father rebuked Yosef, his brothers go we see the last stage of his evolution to save Mitzrayim and reconcile with their own way by moving to Shechem, and growth when Pharaoh summons his family. ironically the site of the last recorded him to interpret his dreams.10 Here, dissension between the united we see a deeply intuitive, empathetic This is the story of Yosef; the trials and brothers and Yaakov. man emerge. The Torah painstakingly tribulations that he had to encounter Yosef’s choice to alienate his brothers describes Yosef’s preparation for this and endure in order to rise up and and his failure to recognize their meeting — how he shaves, changes become Yosef the righteous. antipathy led to his brothers selling his clothes and heads out to Pharaoh While there are many differences him into slavery, and eventually, (41:14). Rav Hirsch explains that the between them, there are striking 9 taken to Egypt. At this juncture, a Torah goes into such detail to show similarities between Yosef and Rabbi change comes over Yosef after he is us Yosef’s understanding of what he Yishmael. They both came from thrown in jail. There, he gains the was facing and what he needed to prominent families who had their trust of the chieftain and is placed in do in order to properly approach the challenges. They had to separate from 11 charge of two prominent prisoners: situation. their families to become the leaders Pharaoh’s prince of butlers, the sar After interpreting Pharaoh’s dreams, they were destined to be. Both of them hamashkim, and prince of bakers, sar Yosef tells him that he should were beautiful, although this beauty . The Torah, often devoid of ha’ofim appoint an ish navon v’chacham — impacted them in different ways. It expressions of emotions, tells us of a an individual with deep knowledge was their time in jail that enabled their conversation between Yosef and these and understanding (41:33). At the rise to prominence: Yosef because two prisoners. Sensing one day that conclusion of his interpretation, of his understanding of dreams

18 Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary • The Benjamin and Rose Berger CJF Torah To-Go Series • Tisha B’av 5777 and Rabbi Yishmael because of his The message to us, therefore, is that Endnotes understanding of the Torah and its we can all strive to be tzaddikim real-world applications. It is said that — people who have insight and 1 See Levine, Nachman “‘Eleh Ezkerah’: Re-reading the Asarah Harugei Malkhut,” Rabbi Yishmael too had chachmah and understanding of people, who develop available at http://www.hakirah.org/ binah and wanted to make the Torah over time as did Yosef Hatzaddik. Vol13Levine.pdf. accessible to all, and that is what This is perhaps why Rabbi Yishmael 2 Soloveitchik, Rabbi JB., e. Posner, S. The motivated his interpretations of the in particular is singled out as one of Koren Mesorat Harav Kinot: The Lookstein 12 Torah. Both men also had a strong the Ten Martyrs, and why we say the edition, OU Press, Koren Publishers, sense of justice. Yosef knew that his kinah of Eleh Ezkerah. While the kinah Jerusalem. p. 418 – 423. brothers had sinned by enabling him is a source of sadness, perhaps it can 3 ibid, p. xxx – xxxi. to be sold into slavery, and that the also serve as a source of inspiration 4 Tosefta, Sanhedrin 7:5. only way for them to really repent for and hope. Each of the individuals who their sin was to experience a similar died had much to teach us about life, 5 Lau, B. The Sages: Character, Content & Creativity. Maggid Books, Jerusalem. p.212, situation and act differently. This was not only about death. As individuals v.2 accomplished when they refused to we can strive to be tzaddikim like let Yosef take Binyamin into custody Yosef and make the world a better 6 ibid, p.219. (40:18). Rabbi Yishmael had the same place through our deep love of and 7 R. Chaim Vital, Sha’ar Hagilgulim ch. sense of justice.13 commitment to Torah, and our 34. English translation available at http:// www.chabad.org/kabbalah/article_cdo/ kindness to and understanding of Are the parallels mere coincidence? aid/1722984/jewish/Rabbi-Yishmael-the- those around us. And hopefully in that Or could it be that the kinah is High-Priest-345c.htm. merit, we will herald the coming of reminding us of not just the story of 8 Hirsch, R. S.R. The Pentateuch, Isaac Levy Yosef, but of Yosef himself. When we the Mashiach and the building of the Publishing, England 1959. vol. 1 p. 542. Beit Hamikdash and no longer sing think of a tzaddik we often think of a 9 Breishit, chapters 37, 38. the kinot out of sadness but only as a perfect person. Why did Yosef warrant 10 Breishit 31:14. to be called tzaddik? Because he was source of inspiration. not perfect — tzaddikim aren’t born, A thank you to Rabbi Elie Weissman for 11 Hirsch, R.S. The Pentateuch, Isaac Levy Publishing, England 1959. vol 1. p. 576 they develop over time. inspiring this article. 12 Lau, B. 13 ibid.

19 Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary • The Benjamin and Rose Berger CJF Torah To-Go Series • Tisha B’av 5777 Are Children Obligated in Observances that Commemorate the Destruction of the Beis HaMikdash?

he Beraisa in Moed Katan 26a, teaches us that the obligation to tear one’s garments (keriah) Rabbi Hershel Schachter Tdoesn’t only apply when experiencing Rosh Yeshiva and Rosh Kollel, RIETS the loss of a relative. It applies when experiencing other tragic events including seeing the cities of Yehuda, Yerushalayim or the place where the Yehuda, Yerushalayim or the place about the death immediately after Beis Hamikdash once stood. where the Beis HaMikdash once it takes place (sh’muah kerova) and What is the nature of the obligation to stood? one who hears about it thirty days tear keriah upon seeing these places? Perhaps we could suggest that the later (sh’muah rechokah). Regarding a Perhaps we can glean an insight from nature of the obligation to tear sh’muah rechokah, there is no inherent obligation to tear and the the comment of the Magen Avraham. keriah upon seeing these places is keriah TheMagen Avraham (end of siman fundamentally different than the obligation only applies to the loss of a parent in order to honor their 561) writes that a minor who sees nature of the obligation to tear keriah the cities of Yehuda does not tear for a loss of a relative. The Shach death. This law is best explained by a comment in the Gemara, keriah, even if he has reached the (Nekudos HaKesef to Taz Y.D. 340:15) Moed Katan 24a, that should take place age of chinuch (training). This ruling writes that while chinuch does apply to keriah at the — at the most seems to contradict an explicit law tearing keriah for the loss of a relative, she’as chimum found in the Gemara, Moed Katan it does not apply to the observance intense time of grief. 14b, that keriah should be performed of mourning. This is based on the Theshe’as chimum concept proves on a child who loses a relative. The statement of the Gemara, Moed Katan that the obligation to tear keriah upon Gemara states that the purpose of 26b, “aveilus lechud keriah lechud” seeing Yehuda, Yerushalayim or the keriah is not for the child per se, but — the laws of aveilus and the laws of Beis HaMikdash is not a function of so that those who see the child’s torn keriah are two separate domains. Just the formal obligation of keriah. Keriah clothing will express sorrow (agmas because the laws of keriah apply to a only applies at a time of intense grief. nefesh). R. Akiva Eger (comments to child, does not mean that the laws of Thekeriah that takes place upon Taz, Y.D. 340:15), notes that if the aveilus apply as well. seeing Yehuda, Yerushalayim or the child has reached the age of chinuch, Beis HaMikdash does not meet that The Gemara,Yevamos 43b, categorizes then there is an actual requirement the mourning practices that we criteria. We tear keriah even though of keriah. If the child has not reached the period of grief was thousands of observe leading up to Tisha B’Av the age of chinuch, then the keriah is years ago. One must conclude that the as aveilus yeshana — mourning for only because of agmas nefesh. If this is events that happened a long time ago. obligation to tear keriah upon seeing the case, why isn’t there an obligation these places is not a function of The Gemara,Moed Katan 20b, also keriah of keriah when a minor who reached but of for the destruction of notes that regarding keriah, there is a aveilus the age of chinuch sees the cities of distinction between one who hears the Beis HaMikdash. Since children

20 Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary • The Benjamin and Rose Berger CJF Torah To-Go Series • Tisha B’av 5777 child from keriah upon seeing Yehuda, This is evident from a ruling of the Yerushalayim or the Beis HaMikdash Mishna Berurah 551:82, who writes to the fact that this type of keriah is a that the prohibition against cutting function of aveilus? Isn’t mourning the a child’s hair only applies during the destruction of the Beis HaMikdash a week of Tisha B’Av and not the whole form of public aveilus? Three Weeks. Ashkenazi practice is Perhaps the explanation of why it to observe many of the Tisha B’Av is a prohibited to cut a child’s hair mourning practices for the entire the week before Tisha B’Av is not Three Weeks between Shiva Asar B’Tamuz and Tisha B’Av, including based on chinuch. Ordinarily, it is prohibited for an adult to provide a refraining from haircuts. Why doesn’t child a prohibited item, whether that the restriction against adults cutting activity is prohibited on a biblical the hair of children apply the entire Three Weeks? If the restriction against do not observe aveilus, we can level or a rabbinic level (see Shulchan adults cutting the hair of children is understand why the Magen Avraham Aruch, O.C. 343 and Beiur Halacha). exempted them from keriah upon However, that is only true when the based on the child’s inherent chinuch requirement to observe public forms seeing these places. child is a bar chiyuva — he is obligated to observe that particular mitzvah. of aveilus, then the child should be Chinuch for Aveilus of Tisha There is no problem to provide a trained to do what an adult would do B’Av child with an item that is prohibited and refrain from haircuts the entire to others but not that particular Three Weeks. However, based on our TheMishna Berurah (Bei’ur Halacha child. [It is prohibited to take a kohen explanation, the restriction against 550:1) writes that a child does not child into a cemetery, but there is no an adult cutting the hair of a child have to fast on Tisha B’Av or the prohibition to take a non-kohen child is not based on chinuch but rather other “minor” fasts. This seems to into a cemetery because the non- on the general prohibition against an adult providing a child with a be because these fasts are a function kohen is not a bar chiyuva.] Therefore, prohibited item. While an adult is of mourning, and children — even the Magen Avraham was bothered by if they reached the age of chinuch — the following problem: if there is no prohibited from providing a child with an item that is prohibited on a Torah don’t observe mourning practices. chinuch for aveilus, then with regards to the prohibition against cutting one’s level or on a rabbinic level, he is not However, the idea that children are prohibited from providing the child hair, the child is not a bar chiyuva. not required to observe mourning with an item that is prohibited based practices related to the destruction Why then is it prohibited for an adult to cut the child’s hair? To this, the on minhag. For adults, cutting one’s of the Beis HaMikdash seems to be hair during the week in which Tisha Magen Avraham answers that because contradicted by another halacha. The B’Av occurs is a rabbinic prohibition. Shulchan Aruch, O.C. 551:14, writes we are dealing with public aveilus, every member of the Jewish people Refraining from cutting one’s hair that an adult cannot give a haircut to a the whole Three Weeks is based on child during the week in which Tisha is considered a bar chiyuva, whether or not they have an actual obligation minhag. Therefore, the adult may not B’Av occurs. TheMagen Avraham provide a child with a haircut during 551:38, asks: if there is no aveilus to observe those laws. As such, while the child himself is personally exempt the week in which Tisha B’Av occurs, for children, why is it prohibited to but may provide a haircut during the from any aveilus practices related to cut the child’s hair? He answers that Three Weeks. public aveilus is different. TheMagen mourning the Beis HaMikdash, an Avraham seems to be saying that while adult is prohibited from providing Meat and Wine During the aveilus generally doesn’t apply to a haircut to the child. TheMagen Nine Days children, it does apply to aveilus that Avraham, in explaining why an adult the entire tzibbur (i.e. all of the Jewish may not cut a child’s hair, never intended to say that the child himself If children don’t observe the laws people) participates in. How then of mourning, why does the Magen can we attribute the exemption of a has any personal obligation of aveilus.

21 Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary • The Benjamin and Rose Berger CJF Torah To-Go Series • Tisha B’av 5777 Avraham 551:31, write that children because bikkurim have ceased.” … He seek out and remember the Beis should not eat meat or drink wine said to them, “My children, come and HaMikdash. Children have no during the Nine Days? One must I will tell you: We can’t refrain from obligation to observe aveilus, but if conclude that the practice of mourning altogether because there was a they have reached the age of chinuch refraining from meat or wine during decree against us. We can’t have excessive they have an obligation to seek out the Nine Days is not a function of mourning because one cannot impose and remember the Beis HaMikdash. aveilus. A number of poskim (Maharil, a decree on the public unless most of Therefore, they must also refrain from the Vilna Gaon, and the Aruch the public can keep it. … Rather, our eating meat and drinking wine during HaShulchan, O.C. 551:9) note that the rabbis said that a person should plaster the Nine Days. practice is based on a statement of the his house with plaster and leave a small In summary, we find three different Gemara: part of it [without plaster].” … [The categories of halacha relating to source for these practices is] as it states tragedy and loss. Children are not ת”ר כשחרב הבית בשניה רבו פרושין If I forget Jerusalem, let my right hand obligated to observe aveilus, whether“ בישראל שלא לאכול בשר ושלא לשתות יין be forgotten. Let my tongue cleave to my it applies to mourning the loss of a נטפל להן ר’ יהושע אמר להן בני מפני מה אי pallet, etc.” relative or mourning the destruction אתם אוכלין בשר ואין אתם שותין יין אמרו Bava Basra 60b of the Beis HaMikdash. They are לו נאכל בשר שממנו מקריבין על גבי מזבח R. Yehoshua’s primary objection exempt from practices during the ועכשיו בטל נשתה יין שמנסכין על גבי המזבח to refraining from eating meat and Three Weeks that are strictly a ועכשיו בטל אמר להם א”כ לחם לא נאכל drinking wine was that it was not a function of aveilus. Keriah that takes שכבר בטלו מנחות ... פירות לא נאכל שכבר reasonable response to the destruction place at the time of a loss applies בטלו בכורים ... אמר להן בני בואו ואומר of the Beis HaMikdash. It is not to children. If it is in response to לכם שלא להתאבל כל עיקר אי אפשר שכבר something that can be observed by a tragedy or loss that took place נגזרה גזרה ולהתאבל יותר מדאי אי אפשר most people. However, refraining from previously, such as keriah upon seeing שאין גוזרין גזירה על הצבור אא”כ רוב צבור meat and wine during the Nine Days Yehuda, Yerushalayim or the Beis יכולין לעמוד בה ... אלא כך אמרו חכמים סד is reasonable and that is why we have HaMikdash, then the obligation is אדם את ביתו בסיד ומשייר בו דבר מועט ... the practice to do so. Yet the Gemara rooted in aveilus and children are מאי היא שנאמר אם אשכחך ירושלים תשכח notes that the source for the practices exempt. Practices that are rooted in ימיני תדבק לשוני לחכי וגו’. Our rabbis taught: when the Second that are meant to commemorate the seeking out the Beis HaMikdash and Temple was destroyed, there were many destruction of the Beis HaMikdrash remembering its destruction are not a ascetics among the Jewish people who is “im eshkachech Yerushalayim” — if function of aveilus and are applicable refrained from eating meat or drinking I forget Jerusalem etc. This is similar to children. Therefore, they cannot eat wine. R. Yehoshua approached them and to the comment of the Gemara, meat or drink wine during the Nine said to them, “My children, why are you Rosh HaShanah 30a, that the reason Days. refraining from eating meat and drinking why we have certain mitzvos that May it be His will that we will wine?” They said, “We should eat meat are performed zecher LaMikdash merit seeing the rebuilding of the from which sacrifices are offered on the (in remembrance of the Temple) is Beis HaMikdash when all of these Altar and has now ceased? We should because we have an obligation to seek discussions will be hypothetical rather drink wine which was used for libations out and remember Yerushalayim. than practical, and the fast of Tisha on the Altar and has now ceased?” [R. As such, one can suggest that the B’Av will be transformed into a yom Yehoshua] said to them, “If so, we should practices that R. Yehoshua was tov. not eat bread because the flour offerings discussing are not a function of aveilus have ceased … We shouldn’t eat fruit but a function of our obligation to

Find more shiurim and articles from Rabbi Hershel Schachter at http://www.yutorah.org/Rabbi-Hershel-Schachter

22 Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary • The Benjamin and Rose Berger CJF Torah To-Go Series • Tisha B’av 5777 Shining the Light of Torah with Pride

ותשא כל העדה ויתנו את קולם ויבכו העם בלילה ההוא אמר רבה אמר ר’ יוחנן תשעה Rabbi Dr. Moshe D. Tendler באב היה אמר להם הקב”ה אתם בכיתם בכיה Rosh Yeshiva, RIETS של חנם ואני קובע לכם בכיה לדורות. [And it is further written:] “And all the Rabbi, Community Synagogue of Monsey, NY congregation lifted up their voice and cried and the people wept that night” (Numbers 14:1). Rabba said that Rabbi The Midrash Rabbah calls attention They had a perception that they Yochanan said: That night was the to a personality flaw that led the spies appeared inferior and they didn’t night of the Ninth of Av. The Holy One, astray. When the spies offered their believe that Hashem would help Blessed be He, said to them: You wept report, they said: overcome that perception. This flaw continues to plague us today. We have וַנְהִיבְעֵ ינֵינּו כַחֲ גָבִים וְכֵן הָ יִינּו בְעֵ ינֵיהֶ ם. needlessly that night, and I will therefore a Torah overflowing with wisdom and establish for you a true tragedy over We looked like grasshoppers to ourselves, an ability to bring people closer to which there will be weeping in future and so we must have looked to them. Hashem. But we are afraid to promote generations. Bamidbar 13:33 Taanit 29a (Translation: The it. We could see ourselves as angels William Davidson digital edition of The Midrash comments: of Hashem but instead we consider ourselves to be grasshoppers in the אמרו ונהי בעינינו כחגבים אמר הקב”ה (the Koren Noé Talmud eyes of others. ויתרתי עליהם אלא וכן היינו בעיניהם יודעים hen the spies returned One of the biggest challenges of הייתם מה עשיתי אתכם לעיניהם מי יאמר from their survey of the our times is intermarriage. Recent שלא הייתם בעיניהם כמלאכים. land Hashem promised toW nation Israel, they reported that the They said, “We looked like grasshoppers surveys have shown that among non- nations who are settled there were too to ourselves,” The Holy One, Blessed Orthodox Jews, 80 percent of those powerful to be conquered. That night, be He said, “I forgave them for that.” aged 25–54 are either intermarried or the ninth of Av, the people cried and Rather [what did they say that was so not married at all. If nothing is done, proposed returning to Egypt. Hashem offensive?] “and so we must have looked we will lose millions of Jews from responded, “You cried for no valid to them.” [Hashem said] “You knew nation Israel. what I did to you in their eyes? Who is to reason, I will therefore designate this We are not grasshoppers. We are the say that you didn’t appear before them date for mourning the destruction of — a like angels?” mamleches kohanim v’goy kadosh both Temples.” kingdom of priests and a holy nation. Bamidbar Rabbah 16:11 Lack of faith in Hashem’s We have the ability to shine the light omnipotence and lack of trust in How do you know what they of Torah on those who have not yet the leadership of Moshe Rabbeinu thought of you, of nation Israel that I felt it and we should be confident that sealed the doom of the generation redeemed from Egyptian bondage and our message will have an impact. that Hashem freed from Egyptian took care of in the desert? Maybe they thought of you as angels of Hashem! In the past, we have been silent. We bondage. Nobody except Yehoshua should have asked the leadership and Calev would settle in the Land of The spies had a fundamental flaw. of the broader Jewish community, Israel.

23 Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary • The Benjamin and Rose Berger CJF Torah To-Go Series • Tisha B’av 5777 “Where are your grandchildren and Isn’t this the same as “they didn’t listen discriminatory. We have to take pride great-grandchildren headed? We to My voice and they didn’t follow it”? in the fact that we are the chosen cannot survive as a nation with such R. Yehuda said in the name of Rav, they nation of Hashem. He chose us to a high intermarriage rate.” We were didn’t recite a blessing on the Torah first. receive His Torah and to be a “light too focused on ourselves and our own Nedarim 81a unto the nations of the world.” It is our communities. We became apathetic Which blessing did they omit? The assignment to cry out in the name of and we lacked the confidence to share Hashem, creator of heaven and earth. Bach, Orach Chaim no. 47, suggests כִי שְתַ יִםרָ עֹות העָשָ יעַמִ אֹתִי עָ זְבּו מְקֹור מַ יִם :this message with the Jews of America. that it was the beracha that states We have to find a way for Jews of all חַ יִים לַחְ צֹב םלָהֶ בֹארֹות בֹארֹת נִשְבָרִ ים אֲשֶ ר אשר בחר בנו מכל העמים ונתן לנו את לֹא יָכִלּו הַמָ יִם. walks of life to appreciate the beauty תורתו. of Torah and its system of laws that Two evils did My nation commit. They greatly enhances our lives. He who has chosen us from among the nations and gave us the Torah. rejected Me, their source of life-giving waters, to dig wells that cannot provide מִי הָאִ יש הֶחָ כָם וְיָבֵן אֶ ת זֹאת וַאֲשֶר דִבֶ ר ִ ּפי ה’ .any water אֵ לָיו וְיַגִדָ ּה עַל מָה אָבְדָה הָאָרֶ ץ נִצְתָ ה כַמִדְבָ ר We have to take pride Yirmiyahu 2:13 מִבְלִ י עֹבֵ ר. וַיֹאמֶר ה’ עַל עָ זְבָם אֶ ת תֹורָתִי אֲשֶ ר נָתַתִ י לִפְ נֵיהֶ םוְ לֹא שָמְעּובְקֹולִי וְ לֹא הָ לְכּו בָ ּה. in the fact that we are We can’t allow Torah Judaism to be Who is the wise person that can replaced by the social philosophy understand this? Who does God speak the chosen nation of of today. The solution to declining to that can tell? Why was the land lost, Hashem. He chose us to membership is not to rethink our [why has it] become parched like a position on intermarriage or to erode desert with no passersby? God said, it is receive His Torah and the appropriate halachic obligations because they abandoned My Torah that I to be a “light unto the relating to conversion. The Torah is gave before them and they didn’t listen to not a social philosophy. It is a set of My voice and they didn’t follow it. nations of the world.” laws that instructs us how to raise Yirmiyahu 9:11-12 families, establish communities and The Talmud has an enigmatic It is our assignment conduct the affairs of nations. comment on these verses: to cry out in the name It is our job to teach that message. of Hashem, creator of We have the ability to shine the light אמר רב יהודה אמר רב מאי דכתיב מי האיש of Torah on our brothers and sisters החכם ויבן את זאת דבר זה נשאל לחכמים heaven and earth. who struggle to see it. We should be ולנביאים ולא פירשוהו עד שפירשו הקב“ה proud of what we have to offer and we בעצמו דכתיב ויאמר ה‘ על עזבם את תורתי It is the “grasshopper mentality” that should feel confident when sharing it וגו‘ היינו לא שמעו בקולי היינו לא הלכו בה .causes us to omit this beracha. The with others אמר רב יהודה אמר רב שאין מברכין בתורה כִי הִ נֵה הַ חֹשֶ ְך יְכַסֶה ץאֶרֶ וַעֲרָ פֶל לְאֻמִ ים וְעָלַיְִך social philosophy that dominates תחלה. יִזְרַ חה’ ּוכְבֹודֹו עָלַיְִך יֵרָאֶ ה R. Yehuda said in the name of Rav, current thinking says, “How can you be so discriminatory to think What is meant by the verse, “Who is the Darkness may cover the earth, and you are the chosen nation?” This wise person that can understand this?” clouds may darken the lives of nations, mentality contributes to the growing This question was posed to the scholars but the light and glory of Hashem shall intermarriage rate. People have and to the prophets and they couldn’t shine on nation Israel. the attitude that when looking for give an answer until God himself gave Yeshayahu 60:2 an answer as it states, “God said, it is a spouse, limiting one’s options because they abandoned My Torah etc.” to Jewish spouses is somehow

Find more shiurim and articles from Rabbi Dr. Moshe Tendler at http://www.yutorah.org/Rabbi-Moshe-D-Tendler

24 Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary • The Benjamin and Rose Berger CJF Torah To-Go Series • Tisha B’av 5777 Perspectives on Jewish Life in Diaspora Communities Tisha B’Av is an opportune time to reflect ongalut (exile) and what it means for the Jewish people. Different communities experience galut in different ways. We are honored to share the perspectives of a number of rabbis throughout the world as they reflect ongalut in general, the specific challenges in their region and how they address them, and the relationship of their communities to Israel and Aliyah. Introduction of one entity called Klal Yisrael, State of Israel and to the events and which transcends the location, pressures that accompany anything to Chief Rabbi Dr. culture, language and history of any do with it. Every Jewish community Warren Goldstein one country. Our identity cannot around the world has been thrust to Chief Rabbi, South be defined by the nationality of a the frontlines, facing the anti-Israel Africa particular Jewish community in onslaught, which, in its milder form, which we happen to live. Our identity can mean being denigrated and Every Diaspora community faces transcends circumstances, and is isolated, and in its most virulent form unique challenges and opportunities, instead defined by the bonds that can actually pose a serious threat to which are deeply rooted in the bind every Jew in the world to each life and limb. particular circumstances and history other. These bonds do not emerge of the country in which it lives. The Rav Soloveitchik explained that the from mere narrow Jewish ethnicity South African Jewish community lives covenant of fate binds us and imposes and culture — they are created by our in the context of a young democracy on us a moral responsibility towards covenant with G-d. born in the aftermath of the evil one another’s welfare. Every Jew and the suffering of apartheid. As Rav Yosef Dov Soloveitchik, in his must stand in solidarity with — and each Diaspora community seeks to foundational essay, “Kol Dodi Dofek,” help, support and protect — every navigate its unique circumstances, identified two distinct covenants Jew unconditionally, irrespective we should all do so using the Torah between G-d and the Jewish people: of political affiliation, religious as our compass, as the Mishna states the “covenant of fate” and the observance, or any other criteria. The (Avot ch. 5), “Turn it over and over “covenant of destiny.” G-d entered into all-encompassing covenant of fate for everything is in it [Torah].” So in the covenant of fate with us while we connects us all, giving expression South Africa we are guided by the were still subject to Egyptian slavery to the very concept of Jewish Torah values of the equality of all when He said, “I will take you to be peoplehood and unity. human beings, as the Mishna (Avot a nation.” Through this covenant, The covenant of destiny goes beyond ch. 3) says, “Beloved is the human we became a separate people with the covenant of fate, which simply being created in G-d’s image”; the a shared and supernatural fate for binds us as a nation through force of imperative of alleviating human all time, and from which there is no external circumstances. The covenant suffering, as the verse (Tehillim escape. of destiny — known also as the 145:9) states, “And His compassion In the last 80 years, for example, “covenant of Sinai” because it was extends to all His creatures”; and the we have seen the irresistible power entered into at Mount Sinai when mitzvah of kiddush Hashem, among of this covenantal shared fate as G-d gave us the Torah — is about our many others. Nazi Germany sought to annihilate shared values, moral vision and the While every community finds itself assimilated and religious Jews alike. Divine mission of the Jewish people. in very unique conditions, it is vital And today, the covenant of fate binds It comprises the Torah’s principles and for all of us to feel that we are part all Jews, willingly or unwillingly, to the values and calls us to a higher destiny,

25 Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary • The Benjamin and Rose Berger CJF Torah To-Go Series • Tisha B’av 5777 one that transcends mere survival. It she and her family were the only Jews Communal is about why we want to survive, and in the town, only to discover seven what our purpose and moral calling is. other families. Challenges and It gives us our mission, articulating the It is the calling of all Jewish leadership Solutions raison d’etre of the Jewish people. to nurture and to strengthen, in all our Rabbi Arie Folger ’02R These two covenants bind Jewish Diaspora communities and in Israel, communities throughout the world, the idea of Jewish peoplehood, of the Chief Rabbi, Vienna, scattered throughout the Diaspora, fact that we are a part of the broader Austria and of course, with Jews at the centre Klal Yisrael, and that we are connected Before World War II, Vienna had of the Jewish world — the State of to our fellow Jews through these two some 200,000 Jews which comprised Israel. We have all felt the pull of both great covenants. most of Austria‘s Jewish population of of these covenants. Sometimes it is The bonds between Diaspora Jewry 245,000. Of those, about 65,000 were the pull of the covenant of fate, such and Israeli Jewry are important murdered by the Nazis, while most as when Naftali Frankel, Gilad Shaer for both. One factor in the warm of the rest fled. After the war, Austria and Eyal Yifrach were kidnapped, or reception that The Shabbat Project took a long time to come to terms during one of the Gaza wars, or in the has received in Israel — where it with its culpability in the Holocaust. aftermath of any terror attack in Israel. has been active in more than 100 Jews settled in the initially small We also feel the pull of the covenant towns and cities across the length reconstructed community despite of destiny. I have seen this in such a and breadth of the country, uniting not being welcome. Under such powerful and positive way through the religious and secular around our circumstances, it was hard to develop experience of The Shabbat Project, shared heritage of Shabbat — is the the community. which began in South Africa in 2013, fact that it is a project that connects All that changed over time, as on the and which last year reached Jewish with Jews throughout the world. It has one hand, many Jews from southern communities in 1,152 cities in 95 resonated with Israelis’ deep desire Soviet republics, mostly Uzbekistan countries. During the course of this to feel part of a global community, (Bukhara, Samarkan), Georgia project, I have seen the spiritually which is Klal Yisrael. This explains the (Gruzia) and Kazakhstan settled in magnetic connection between one unprecedented embrace of the project Vienna. On the other hand, Austria Jew and another, and between all by even the IDF, which sees itself not came to terms with its role in the of us and our national mission and only as the defence force of Israel, but Holocaust and our community’s destiny, symbolised by Shabbat. The indeed of all Jews, wherever they may president managed, through tough Shabbat Project has seen major Jewish be. negotiations, to obtain funding communities across the world — During the three weeks of mourning guarantees that allowed Jews to from Sydney and Los Angeles to Paris in the lead-up to Tisha b’Av, we are develop the community and build, and Buenos Aires — moved on a large reminded that galut has its roots among other things, a state-of-the-art scale. But it has also seen Jews in far- in the fragmentation of the Jewish K-12 Jewish school, an old-age home flung corners of the world reconnect people, the shattering of unity and and a sports center. with what it means to be a Jew, shared brotherhood and sisterhood. because Shabbat pulled on their souls. It is now much easier to lead the Therefore,geulah has its roots in community into the future, but we do Whether it was Abir Schweizer from restoring Jewish peoplehood, unity face some very specific challenges. We Conway, Arkansas, who wrote that and cohesion. Let us do everything we owe a debt to the prewar community, when you keep Shabbat — even if you can to bring Jews together, through but we must beware of becoming stuck are the only Jew in the town — you our two covenants with G-d, so that in the past. We could run all day from are never alone in the world; or Faisel we can truly become one united one Holocaust remembrance event to Benkhald, from Karachi, Pakistan, Klal Yisrael, who can merit the Final another, but that would irresponsibly who connected with the project alone Redemption coming to our world — sacrifice our present and future to the in a hostile environment; or Keli Rae may it came soon, please G-d. from Fernley, Nevada, who thought past. However, we clearly owe that debt to the past. We must thus carefully

26 Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary • The Benjamin and Rose Berger CJF Torah To-Go Series • Tisha B’av 5777 balance Holocaust remembrance grades of our community’s school. Vienna and Israel and preservation of historic sites In parallel, we run other events with our responsibility to be part of specifically targeting kids outside Our community is strongly and contribute to the Jewish future. the community’s formal educational connected to Israel, and many Which brings us to the next set of programs, such as Friday evening students decide, upon graduating challenges: presently, about 60 percent programs that target the Jewish high school or university, to either of Jewish kids avail themselves of the students of the French Lycée, where spend a gap year in Israel, study Jewish educational institutions. That we also offer two weekly periods of there, or make Aliya. Even those is comparatively very high, but not yet limudei kodesh, a highly unusual who come back will maintain a enough; every Jewish child deserves to achievement at French schools, where strong connection to Israel, which discover and study Torah and become laïcité (French secularism) usually is only a three-hour flight from inspired to be part of the Jewish future, requires a much greater separation of Vienna. We have close ties with the but not every child has that exposure at church and state. Austrian education Israeli embassy, attend each other’s present. law made this possible. programs and participate actively. We run a program with Birthright, Furthermore, since our community However, we are aware that too many advertise some programs in Israel, is an amalgam of the descendants kids fall through the cracks, and we and I regularly mention in my of Viennese Yekkes, Hungarian and expect to begin analyzing why some speeches that Israel is where we Polish Holocaust survivors, as well kids leave our Jewish high school — ought to be. We do not run any as the above-mentioned later Asian which provides a very good secular formal program to promote Aliya. Sefardi immigrants, we still have much education too — and in which schools work to do to strengthen Jewish unity they end up. Our goals are twofold: we We should also note that there is a and inclusion. want to prevent kids from dropping sizeable Israeli expat community To address these challenges, our out, and we want to reach out to those in Vienna. One of our challenges is school has both Ashkenazi and Sefardi who did drop out. to attract that demographic, which isn’t used to affiliating with a Jewish teachers, and the other Jewish schools In addition, we are also spearheading community, and parts of which also make an effort to integrate children programs on the university level: even see itself in starkly secular of all families. Through positive courses in Jewish education for people terms. This is a work in progress. programming we try to give the kids a studying education are being launched decent Jewish education and we hope to as we speak, and we intend to do more There is a special kind of Aliya increase the offering of additional hours for students in other departments. that our members participate of religious instruction. We also run We are also involved with the Jewish in disproportionately: many programs to strengthen our bond with students’ union, and there are a few Viennese Jews, obviously the students who are already receiving additional initiatives in town, including provided they can afford it, own Jewish education, such as a Friday a yeshiva for young men studying at a second home in Israel, which evening davening and dinner event university. I also detect a gap in our is used for vacation, or is rented we recently held for the three upper offering for young women and hope out, contributing to yishuv Eretz to find partners with whom to address Yisrael by increasing the available this need. housing units. On Yom Tov, many of our synagogues empty out, and Finally, we also run some important congregants spend the holidays in programs for adults, including some Israel. It definitely beats spending for people who are not strongly Pesach in Cancun, all the more connected to the community. One so does it beat spending Pesach leading program bringing those who holidays in a non-kosher hotel, are very active together with those who which, as I had to learn over the are quite less active to the same table is years, is unfortunately not so the Shabbos Project, which in Vienna is uncommon. The Synagogue in Vienna now entering its fourth year.

27 Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary • The Benjamin and Rose Berger CJF Torah To-Go Series • Tisha B’av 5777 Planting the Light experience the “rivers of Babylon” in our area by devoting communal galut. We are a relatively established efforts to our shul, day school, kollel, of Torah in the Jewish area outside of Israel. kashrut, and many other Judaic programs to strengthen ourselves and Heartland In other ways, we have a unique galut experience in that we still “feel” what it to provide a strong foundation for the Rabbi Dani Rockoff next generation. means to live in galut. We do not have Rabbi, Cong BIAV, the full array of Jewish resources that We are also in the unique position Overland Park, KS are available in Israel, or even those of, hopefully, being a “light unto the available in larger Jewish metropolitan nations” in the galut by acting in a Thegalut challenges in our area of areas. There is not the abundance manner that is a Kiddush Hashem. Kansas City are in some ways similar of kosher restaurants, yeshivot and Our community is very hospitable to any place outside of Israel. We kollelim. We have the basic resources to travelers from around the world live in a very comfortable suburban but there is still the sense that we are who come here for work or travel. We American neighborhood, with nice far away from the Jewish centers of are frequented regularly by kashrut houses and lawns, courteous locals, the world. Even with today’s air travel, professionals and a surprising number and little traffic and congestion. We the distance to Israel on a plane is still of business professionals from have a very nice shul and community, just one leg longer when it requires a Chicago, New York, and Israel. and families can raise their children stopover. very comfortably. In this sense, we Another unique opportunity we We address the challenge of galut have living in our region is to provide

Kansas City and Israel - A Historic Connection Our community has always been that reflects not just the culture robust religious environment, very supportive of Israel, especially of modern-day Israel but that Israel should be the top option. political action. Ranging from highlights the religious experience Ki miTziyon teitzei Torah, “from Rabbi Simon Glazer’s role in and what it means to us today. Zion, the Torah comes forth,” advocating for President Harding is an increasingly relevant term to support the Palestine Resolution in the practical sense beyond an in 1921 (upholding the Balfour aspirational prayer. In addition, Declaration), to Eddie Jacobson moving to Israel is the singular interceding with President Truman opportunity to realize the dream to have the United States recognize of generations of Jews who lived in the State of Israel, to today’s very the galut: to return to our people’s active AIPAC efforts, our region homeland. has been an important juggernaut For those who are not able to make in pro-Israel advocacy. This is Aliyah, our community provides a Aliyah is an important value in our especially important as there is a unique opportunity for individuals community. Over the years, several disproportionate impact that Jews and families to contribute as Jews families have made Aliyah, including in regions such as ours can have in in the Diaspora. There are not a few former rabbis of our shul. We supporting Israel, compared with an overabundance of committed have hired shlichim to teach in the day more populous Jewish areas. Jews and resources, and therefore school, and, for a number of years, Beyond political activity, we everyone’s contributions count. there was a Torah Mitzion Kollel. currently make sure that there On the other hand, there is much are religious celebrations and In terms of Aliyah as a priority, I great work that can be done to recognitions of modern-day Israel. have shared with the community be mekadesh shem shamayim and We hold a tefillah chagigit for Yom that moving to Israel should be cultivate the next generation of Jews, Haatzmaut and Yom Yerushalayim. seriously considered. If an individual until the coming of Mashiach, may We also have special programming or family wishes to have a more he come speedily in our day.

28 Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary • The Benjamin and Rose Berger CJF Torah To-Go Series • Tisha B’av 5777 a portal of entry for converts to our area. Many of these sincere Judaism. The Gemara inPesachim individuals and their families have (87b) teaches: made this inspiring commitment to convert. Several are among the most אמר ר’ אלעזר לא הגלה הקב”ה את committed and active members ישראל לבין האומות אלא כדי שיתוספו of our community, and others עליהם גרים. continue to raise their families and R’ Elazar says: The Jewish people contribute to the Jewish people in were exiled among the nations to add Israel or other communities. This is converts to their ranks. There are many non-Jews who a very important role we play as a community in the Diaspora. The German Community seek to join the Jewish people in and Israel The German Jewish community in Rebuilding a Community from the general has very strong ties to the Land of Israel. Many Jews in Germany Ashes feel, even now, living in the country Rabbi Dani Fabian that initiated and executed the Director of Youth Programs, Lauder Yeshurun, Germany murder of 6 million Jews, that Israel is necessary as a place of refuge if things Approximately 200,000 Jews, most resulted in Jewish communities in get dangerous again. German Jews of of whom were from Eastern Europe, which the majority of the members Eastern European background who lived in German DP camps after were non-observant Jews, praying lived in Germany for two or more World War II ended in 1945. The together in a shul with an Orthodox generations therefore support the majority of them could not imagine liturgy. In the following decades, Land of Israel financially, feel strong staying permanently in Germany or the Jewish communities were not solidarity with the State of Israel, Eastern Europe and rebuild what thriving. Assimilation was taking and stand up to protect its political the Nazi regime had destroyed. its toll and many young Jews were interests. Most Jews who immigrated When opportunities opened up, finding suitable marriage partners to Germany from the former Soviet those who could, left for the United outside of the community. Even Union feel less connected to the Land States, and the vast majority in with the immigration of Romanian, of Israel, having consciously decided 1948 for the State of Israel. Of the Hungarian and Czechoslovak not to settle in Israel when the iron 200,000 survivors only 15,000 Jews in the 1950s and 60s, Jewish curtain fell. remained in Germany. In the life never recovered to anywhere Given Germany’s leading role in following years, around 15 Jewish near its former state, leaving the today’s world economy and the high communities were refounded in Jewish population in the late 80’s at quality of life, most Jews have settled the major German cities, including around 30,000 in around 20 Jewish in Germany without plans to leave. Berlin, Frankfurt, and Munich, as communities. Also, the government’s strong support well as a few smaller cities. Given With the beginning of the fall of the not only for Israel but for Jewish life the fact that those who stayed Soviet Union in 1989, the Jewish in Germany makes it possible for were few in number, the question landscape in Germany changed Jews to stay, imagining, and living a of religious denomination was dramatically. It was the German Jewish life in Germany. As a result, solved by instituting the concept government’s policy to spread Aliyah rates are low in comparison of the so-called “Einheitsgemeinde” the new immigrants to cities and with other European countries. If the — a unified, non-denominational villages throughout all of Germany, political situation in Germany should community and shul that enables and also to confine them to these change, most Jews would consider all community members to be cities by limiting the eligibility of Israel their primary choice as a part of the same community and social welfare to those staying in permanent residence. to daven in the same shul. This

29 Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary • The Benjamin and Rose Berger CJF Torah To-Go Series • Tisha B’av 5777 the designated places. With virtually their role models? The Jewish none of the academic degrees of the Today, most of these communities former Soviet Union being recognized have been reduced in membership; Community of by German academic standards, integration of the children of Brazil and with a foreign language to be immigrants into secular German life Rabbi Saul Paves learned, the immigrants could not find — with all its opportunities — has suitable employment for many years. succeeded, and assimilation is taking Headmaster, Colégio Additionally, decades of socialism its toll. Iavne and Community had done its part to destroy most of Rabbi, Kehillat Mizrachi the Jewish knowledge and traditions Our contribution to the specific São Paulo, Brazil of an entire generation. So while challenges of the German Jewish more than 100,000 Jews from the community is to provide authentic Sao Paulo’s Jewish community, far former Soviet Union immigrated and inspiring Jewish experiences as away in Brazil, is facing challenges to Germany and registered in the well as Jewish education through and dilemmas similar to those faced existing communities, or founded new suitable role models. by many small communities around communities in their respective new For more than seventeen years, the America. home towns, the Jewish population Ronald S. Lauder Foundation and Chazara biTshuva and Kiruv in Germany was faced not only with its partner organization, Lauder an opportunity but also with various Yeshurun, have run a large variety of In the last two-to-three decades, we challenges. How to build a Jewish educational and experiential formal saw a growing movement of kiruv identity and how to educate Jews who and informal initiatives in Germany. and chazara bitshuva. This movement, had experienced decades of social Based in Berlin, the formation of a headed mainly by Chabad and Haredi exclusion and disadvantages because Jewish kindergarten, a yeshiva, a girls rabbis, has had a strong impact in terms of being Jewish? How to promote seminary and a Jewish school have of stopping the increase of assimilation Jewish life in a country with now more had a positive impact on the Jewish rates, and has succeeded in bringing than 80 Jewish communities, where population of Berlin and beyond many Jews back to Torah and tradition. more than two-thirds of the members for many years. Today’s outreach In these movements, the main agenda were older than 50 and very few initiatives such as JCommunity, is Torah learning and keeping mitzvot. started new families? And who of the Morasha and the Lauder E-Learning This focus strongly impacts how existing Jewish population would be school enable children, teenagers and the community relates to Medinat students, who often don’t have any Israel. In some cases, it involves the access to Jewish learning in their home omission of talking about the State Today, most of these towns, to participate in live online of Israel as a principle component of classes every week. Programs include our geulah, or as the central aspect of communities have weekend seminars, summer and Jewish life after the Shoah. In other been reduced in winter Machanot, and trips to Israel cases, the community is exposed to an and America to connect to other Jews open policy against the establishment membership; integration worldwide and experience Jewish life. of Medinat Israel, with its secular of the children of Over the years, all of these initiatives leadership, a society that is not built have enabled hundreds of Jews to and guided by Torah. The Haredi immigrants into secular embrace a traditional Jewish lifestyle, and Chabad rabbis consider Eretz German life — with settling in various major communities Israel a holy place, a Torah place for worldwide as well as founding a its yeshivot, and the place where our all its opportunities traditional Jewish community in gedolim, the great rabbanim, live and — has succeeded, and Berlin with more than 75 families and lead our people, and for the religious more than 300 members. life that is possible there. At the same assimilation is taking its time, their relationship to the State of toll. Israel is often neutral, at best.

30 Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary • The Benjamin and Rose Berger CJF Torah To-Go Series • Tisha B’av 5777 High rates of Assimilation; ignorance about our history, tradition Fighting the Anti-Israel Apathy and illiteracy about and values. Campaign in Brazil Judaism In the last 25 years, we are facing For many secular Jews of past a decrease of almost 50 percent in Another main issue that we face generations, the State of Israel the total number of Jews attending in the Brazilian community is played a central role in their identity day schools. These children Jewish illiteracy. The high rates of and connected them to the Jewish are growing up in a completely assimilation and the exit from the people. Leaders spoke about Israel assimilated atmosphere, with almost Jewish community by many of our with pride, as a model and example no knowledge about Judaism. brothers and sisters indicate, at some of achievement and the ability to Assimilation is a natural result for level, apathy toward Judaism and overcome adversity. These speeches these children. inspired Jews who felt a deep and strong connection to Israel, even without religious ties. The latest military campaigns and the Palestinian propaganda have fostered a strong anti-Israel feeling in the media and public opinion. Although our leadership continues to promote the State, the ongoing media bias against Israel and popular empathy toward the Palestinian people has harmed the relationship between many Jews and the State of Israel. The Increase of Aliyah from Brazil These examples offer a general National political scandals and an of the fulfillment of Ezekiel’s picture of our community. Like many economic crisis strongly affected prophecy: other small communities, we lack a strong, organized and proactive וְ הֹוצֵאתִי אֶתְ כֶם מִן הָעַמִ ים וְקִבַצְתִי אֶתְ כֶ ם our community. In the last three Religious Zionist Modern Orthodox מִןהָאֲרָ צֹות ראֲשֶ נְפֹוצֹתֶם בָם בְ יָד חֲ זָקָ ה years, dozens of families made community. This type of community ּובִ זְרֹועַ נְטּויָהּובְחֵמָה שְ פּוכָ ה. Aliyah. The numbers are very high (an increase of almost 90 percent would be a strong representative of With a strong hand and outstretched in 2016) and this new trend forced Medinat Israel, providing perspective arm and overflowing fury I will bring the Jewish Agency to reorganize the and meaning as a historical, you out from the people and gather process regarding Brazilian Jewish prophetical and national place for our you from the lands where you are Aliyah. People and our future. scattered” Many of these families were Yechezkel 20:34. A Religious Zionist Modern Orthodox community could operate motivated by practical reasons. Jews At certain crossroads of history, as a bridge between different sectors from different backgrounds and Hashem makes us leave behind all in the community, strengthening affiliations find their way to Israel as theoretical and ideological debates their first choice when they decide Jewish feeling and giving Jews and sharply takes us from galut, the sense of belonging to a broad that they have to leave Brazil. They bringing back His people to the entity of Am Israel. The lack of this choose to live there regardless of Land of Israel. G-d awakens us from kind of community intensifies the their ideological position on Israel our apathy and reminds us to direct polarization between Jews and Israel, or level of participation in Jewish our views and dreams to Jerusalem. community. as described above. His “strong hand” quickly overturns This new trend gives us the feeling the lasting status quo of galut.

31 Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary • The Benjamin and Rose Berger CJF Torah To-Go Series • Tisha B’av 5777 We annually host a group of bar and The Aliyah Challenge bat mitzvah children brought to us Rabbi Daniel Korobkin by the organization IDF Widows Senior Rabbi, Beth Avraham Yoseph of Toronto and Orphans. On the Shabbat that they’re with us to celebrate their How is one supposed to know when his children to remember Eretz Israel Bnei Mitzvah, we have them all it’s time to make Aliyah? There will daily; all they needed to do was to look stand on the bimah as we recite always be a loose end here or there, in their backyards and see the cedars of the MiSheberach for the chayalim, whether it be a familial duty or a Israel growing tall. This would remind remembering that these children have job-related challenge that keeps us in them that no matter how settled they lost a parent to the scourge of war and galut. If there never is a perfect time, felt in Goshen, their destiny and terrorism in Israel. There’s not a dry how are we to know when it’s the homeland lay elsewhere. eye in the house. “right” time? This should, perhaps, be This is the question that our one of the most important existential Every year in December, my wife and congregation and congregations all I lead a mission to Israel, not to do the questions that Diaspora Jews asks over North America must ask: Where themselves on a regular basis. “touristy” stuff, but to deliver thick are our cedar trees? What elements Canadian winter coats to gemachs A beautiful midrash tells us that in our daily lives remind us regularly around the country, to see the when Yaakov first came to Egypt, that our destiny and homeland is in latest advancements in our “startup he brought cedar saplings with the modern State of Israel? When nation,” and to give chizuk to soldiers him from Eretz Israel and planted those cedar trees are clearly visible, and those living in the shetachim. them in the Diaspora community the question of when is the right time We come back strengthened and of Goshen. These trees would grow to make Aliyah will become easier to revitalized and with even greater thick and tall over the decades, and answer. resolve to connect to the people and would eventually be used to build the Although every individual must Land of Israel. Mishkan once the Jews left Egypt. But answer these questions for themselves, Challenges abound today for the why was it necessary to schlepp trees I am proud to be living and serving with us out of Egypt? Why couldn’t Jewish youth of the Diaspora. Once the Thornhill, Ontario Jewish they leave for university, so many of the Jews have purchased cedar lumber community, which has one of the from itinerant peddlers in the desert, them are being taught to distance highest Aliyah rates per capita in all themselves from Zionism and just as they procured so many of the the world. I am happy to report that other materials for the Mishkan? Israel. Fortunately, our community our children are our most visible cedar and especially the youth of our Yaakov wanted his children and trees. Our youth study in yeshivot community are bucking that trend. grandchildren to grow up seeing the and seminaries in Israel, and a high cedars of Eretz Israel in their backyards. percentage of them serve in the IDF As I’ve told my congregants many He wanted them to see cedars swaying or do Sherut Leumi. Many of our times, my job is to turn off the lights in the wind, buckling under the stress families own second homes in Israel, after you’ve all made Aliyah. I’m and burden of the elements, yet never and are spending more and more time looking forward to saving on that giving up and always returning to their there, as their financial and social electric bill. proud and tall state. He also wanted conditions permit.

The Thornhill, Ontario Jewish community has one of the highest Aliyah rates per capita in all the world. Our youth study in yeshivot and seminaries in Israel, and a high percentage of them serve in the IDF or do Sherut Leumi. Many of our families own second homes in Israel, and are spending more and more time there, as their financial and social conditions permit.

32 Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary • The Benjamin and Rose Berger CJF Torah To-Go Series • Tisha B’av 5777 Rabbi David Aaron, Rabbi Elie Abadie, Yehuda Leib Abberbock, Rafi Abraham, Professor Abraham S. Abraham, Jed H. Abraham, Aaron Abramson, Rabbi David Abuchatzeira, Nina J. Ackerman, Ms. Malka Adatto, Rabbi Elchanan Adler, Rabbi Yosef Adler, Rabbi Moshe Adler, Rabbi Aharon Adler, Dana Adler, Rabbi Yitzchok Adlerstein, AlHaTorah.org, Judy Alkoby, Rabbi Jason Allen, Rabbi Nisson Lippa Alpert, Shiri Alpert, Rabbi William Altshul, Alon Amar, Rabbi Shlomo Amar, Professor Zohar Amar, Joshua Amaru, Claudia Esther Amzallag, Rabbi Hayyim Angel, Ashley Ansel, Shira Apfel, Rabbi Howard Apfel, Dr. Stuart Apfel, Pamela Apfel, Dr. Maryln Applebaum, Rabbi Yaakov Ariel, Rabbi Yosef Leib Arnest, Various Artists, Dr. Adrienne Asch, Sam Ash, Rabbi Pinchas Ashen, Rabbi Dovid Asher, Dr. Shawn Zelig Aster, Shayna Aster, Abigail Atlas, Dr. Gil Atzmon, Rabbi Kenneth Auman, Rabbi Avrohom Ausband, Professor Nathan Aviezer, Rabbi Shlomo Aviner, Chaim Axelrod, Dr. Harvey Babich, Rabbi Elisha Bacon, Dr. Joshua Bacon, Dean Karen Bacon, Rabbi Asher Balanson, Rabbi Hanan Balk, Rabbi Yehuda Balsam, Rabbi Yisrael Balsim, Rabbi Moshe Bamberger, Rabbi Natan Bar-Haim, Yonah Bardos, Dalia Barenboim, Rabbi Noah Baron, Dr. Sara Barris, Rabbi Simon Basalely, Rabbi Tzvi Basch, Rabbi Shalom Baum, Dr. Steven Bayme, Rabbi Mordechai Becher, Rabbi Yosef Gavriel Bechhofer, Katie Becker, Rabbi Assaf Bednarsh, Cantor Bernard Beer, Yitzchak Editor Beis, Rabbi Binyomin Beiser, Rabbi Eli Belizon, Mrs. Rebecca Belizon, Rabbi Shmuel Belkin, Gurion Prime Minister David Ben, Rabbi Eliyahu Ben-Chaim, Geulah Ben-David, Eitan Ben-David, Rabbi Hanan Benayahu, Rebecca Benhaghnazar, Diana Benmergui, Rabbi Moshe Benovitz, Mr. Ronald Benun, Rabbi Simon Benzaquen, Dr. Michael Berger, Rabbi David Berger, Ari Berger, Rabbi Gedalia Berger, Dovi Bergman, Rabbi Moshe Bergman, Rabbi Ozer Bergman, Rabbi Ari Bergmann, Retter Aliza Berk, Netanel Berko, Dr. Jay R. 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33 Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary • The Benjamin and Rose Berger CJF Torah To-Go Series • Tisha B’av 5777 We thank the following synagogues and schools for partnering with Yeshiva University to help distribute printed copies of the Benjamin and Rose Berger Torah To-Go® series. If you would like to begin receiving printed copies please contact [email protected]

Adas Israel Beit Knesset Emek Beth Tikva Cong. Anshei Chesed Cong. Kadimah-Toras Cong. Sha’arei Torah Hamilton, ON Refaim Dollard Des Ormeaux, QC Woodmere, NY Moshe Cincinnati, OH Jerusalem , Israel Brighton, MA Adas Torah Beth Zion Cong. Cong. Bais Efraim Cong. Sherith Israel Los Angeles, CA Beit Kneset Mercazi Cote-St-Luc, QC Yitzchok Cong. KBY Nashville, TN Yad Binyamin, Israel Woodmere, NY Suffern, NY Adath Israel Cong. Bikur Cholim Machzikay Cong. Shevet Achim San Francisco, CA Beit Knesset Feigenson Hadath Cong. Bais Torah Cong. Kehillath Jacob Mercer Island, WA Beit Shemesh, Israel Seattle, WA Suffern, NY Beth Samuel Adath Israel Poale Zedek Cong. Shomrei Emunah Peterson Park, IL Hampstead, QC Beit Knesset Mitzpeh Blake Street Hebrew Cong. Beit Tikvah Baltimore, MD Ramot Cong. Nepean, ON Cong. Kehilath Jeshurun Agudath Shalom Cong. Shomrei Shabbos Jerusalem , Israel Melbourne, Australia New York, NY Stamford, CT Cong. Beth Aaron Far Rockaway, NY Beit Knesset of North B’nai David-Judea Cong. Teaneck, NJ Cong. Keter Torah Ahavas Israel Cong. Shomrim Laboker Woodmere Los Angeles, CA Teaneck, NJ Passaic, NJ Cong. Beth Abraham Montréal, QC North Woodmere, NY Bnai Torah Bergenfield, NJ Cong. K.I.N.S. Ahavas Torah: The Cong. Shomrei Torah Fair Beit Midrash Kol Toronto, ON Chicago, IL Scottsdale Torah Center Cong. Beth Abraham- Lawn, NJ BeRamah Scottsdale, AZ Boca Raton Synagogue Jacob Cong. Kol Israel Brooklyn, Santa Fe, NM Cong. Sons of Israel Boca Raton, FL Albany, NY NY Ahavas Yisrael of Edison Allentown, PA Bet Kneset Shimon Edison, NJ Boca Raton Synagogue Cong. Beth El Atereth Cong. Machzikei Hadas Hatzadik Cong. Sons of Israel West Israel Ottawa, ON Ahavas Yisroel Jerusalem, Israel Cherry Hill , NJ Boca Raton, FL Newton, MA Flushing, NY Cong. Magen David of Bet Knesset Emek Cong. Talmud Torah Calabassas Shul Cong. Beth El West Deal Ahavat Achim Orthodox Refaim Brooklyn, NY Calabasas, CA Brooklyn, NY Ocean, NJ Cong. of Fair Lawn Jerusalem , Israel Cong. Tifereth Beth Fair Lawn, NJ Center for Jewish Life Cong. Beth Hamedrosh Cong. Mogen David Bet Knesset Hanassi David Jerusalem Princeton, NJ Wynnewood, PA Los Angeles, CA Anshe Sholom B’nai Jerusalem , Israel Cote St. Luc, QC Israel Chabad of Richmond Cong. Beth Israel Cong. Ohab Zedek Bet Midrash Torani Cong. Torah Ohr Chicago, IL Richmod, VA Berkeley, CA New York, NY Leumi Boca Raton, FL Anshei Chesed Cong. Chabad Of Richmond Cong. Beth Israel Cong. Netivot Shalom Bet Shemesh , Israel Cong. Torat Emet Boynton Beach, FL Richmond, BC Metairie, LA Baltimore, MD Beth Avraham Yoseph Of Phoenix, AZ Avenue N Sephardic Clanton Park Synagogue Cong. Beth Sholom Cong. Ohav Emeth Toronto Cong. Cong. Zichron Yisroel Cong. Toronto, ON Lawrence, NY Highland Park, NJ Thornhill, ON Thornhill, ON Brooklyn, NY Community Synagogue Cong. Beth Sholom Cong. Ohav Sholom Beth David Synagogue Darchei Noam Cong. Ayin L’Tzion of Monsey Providence, RI Merrick, NY West Hartford, CT St Louis Park, MN Thornhill, ON Monsey, NY Cong. Beth Yitzchok Cong. Ohr Hatorah Beth David Synagogue Darchei Noam of BACH Jewish Center Cong. AABJ&D Chicago, IL Phoenix, AZ Binghamton, NY Glenbrook Long Beach, NY West Orange, NJ Beth Hamidrash Cong. Cong. BIAV Cong. Ohr Saadya Northbrook, IL Bais Abraham Cong. Adas Israel Overland Park, KS Teaneck, NJ Vancouver, BC Darchei Zion St Louis, MO Passaic , NJ Beth Israel Synagogue Cong. Bnai Brith Jacob Cong. Ohr Torah Modiin, Israel Bais Hamedrash Oneg Cong. Adat Yeshurun Savannah, GA West Orange, NJ Omaha, NE DAT Minyan Shabbos La Jolla, CA Beth Israel Synagogue Cong. Bnai Israel Cong. Or Torah Denver, CO Montréal, QC Cong. Adas Yeshurun Brooklyn, NY Skokie, IL Edmonton, AB Daughters of Israel Baron Hirsch Synagogue Chicago, IL Beth Jacob Cong. Of Cong. Bnai Israel-Ohev Cong. Rinat Yisrael West Orange, NJ Memphis, TN Cong. Adath Israel Zedek Teaneck, NJ Kitchener-Waterloo DRS High School for Boys Bais Chaim Dovid Elizabeth, NJ Philadelphia, PA Kitchener, ON Cong. Rodfei Sholom Woodmere, NY Lincolnwood, IL Cong. Adereth El Cong. B’nai Torah San Antonio, TX Beth Jacob Cong. EDOS Beis Medrash of New York, NY Springfield, MA Atlanta, GA Cong. Schomre Israel Denver, CO Harborview Beth Jacob Cong. Cong. Agudath Achim Cong. Brothers of Israel Poughkeepsie, NY Lawrence, NY Eitz Chayim of Dogwood Bradley Beach, NJ Long Branch, NJ Irvine, CA Cong. Shaar Park Beis Midrash of Beth Jacob Cong. Cong. Ahavas Achim Cong. Darchei Noam Hashomayim West Hempstead, NY Bergenfield Oakland, CA Highland Park, NJ Fair Lawn, NJ Westmount, QC Bergenfield, NJ Elmora Hills Minyan Beth Jacob Cong. Cong. Ahavat Achim Cong. Dor Tikvah Cong. Shaaray Tefila Union, NJ Beis Midrash of Beverly Hills, CA Portland, OR Charleston , SC Lawrence, NY Woodmere Eretz Chemda Woodmere, NY Beth Joseph Cong. Cong. Ahavat Shalom Cong. Eitz Chaim Cong. Shaare Tefilla Katamon, Israel Phoenix, AZ Teaneck, NJ Flushing, NY Dallas, TX Beis Yosef D’ulem Etz Chaim Flushing, NY Beth Ora Cong. Ahavath Torah Cong. Emek Beracha Cong. Shaare Tzedek Beit Shemesh, Israel St. Laurent, QC Englewood, NJ Palo Alto, CA Englewood, NJ Beit Chaverim Ezra Bessaroth Synagogue Beth Shalom Cong. Aitz Chaim Cong. Ezras Israel Cong. Shaarei Tefillah Seattle , WA West Palm Beach, FL Chicago, IL Newton Centre, MA Westport, CT Rochester, NY Fifth Avenue Synagogue Beit David Highland Beth Shalom Cong. Anshe Sfard Cong. Israel of Cong. Sha’arei Tzedek New York, NY Kehillat Torah Springfield Mishkan Yair Lakes Synagogue Congregation Fleetwood Synagogue Glendale, WI Springfield, NJ Chicago, IL Aventura, FL Scranton, PA Mount Vernon, NY

34 Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary • The Benjamin and Rose Berger CJF Torah To-Go Series • Tisha B’av 5777 Forest Hill Jewish Centre Kew Gardens Synagogue Ohab Zedek South Fallsburg Hebrew YU Torah Mitzion Kollel Young Israel of North Toronto, ON Kew Gardens, NY Belle Harbor, NY Association of Chicago Woodmere South Fallsburg, NY North Woodmere, NY Golf Manor Synagogue Kingsway Jewish Center Oheb Zedek Cedar Sinai Young Israel of Aventura Cincinnati, OH Brooklyn, NY Synagogue Spanish & Portuguese Miami, FL Young Israel of Lyndhurst, OH Synagogue Of Montreal Northridge Great Neck Synagogue Knesset Beth Israel Young Israel Of Montréal, QC Northridge, CA Great Neck, NY Richmond, VA Ohev Sholom Cong. Baychester Williamsport, PA Suburban Orthodox Bronx, NY Young Israel of Oak Park Green Road Synagogue Knesseth Israel Cong. Synagogue Toras Chaim Oak Park, MI Beachwood, OH Birmingham, AL Ohr Shalom Young Israel of Brookline Baltimore, MD Bet Shemesh , Israel Brookline, MA Young Israel of HAFTR Kohelet Yeshiva High Synagogue of the Oceanside Lawrence, NY School Or Chaim Young Israel of Canarsie Suburban Torah Center Oceanside, NY Bala Cynwyd, PA Toronto, ON Brooklyn, NY Hebrew Institute of Livingston, NJ Young Israel Of Orange Riverdale - The Bayit Koschitzky Minyan Orot Hacarmel Young Israel of Century The Beachwood Kehillah County Bronx, NY North York, ON San Diego, CA City Beachwood, OH Irvine, CA Los Angeles, CA Hebrew Institute of KSY Orthodox Union The Frisch School Young Israel Of Ottawa White Plains Beit Shemesh, Israel New York, NY Young Israel Of Chomedy Paramus, NJ Ottawa, ON White Plains, NY Chomedy, QC Lechu Neranana Petah Tikva The Jewish Center Young Israel Of Passaic- Heichal Shiloh Ra’anana, Israel Toronto, ON Young Israel of Deerfield New York, NY Clifton Rosh Ha’Ayin, Israel Beach Lido Beach Synagogue Queens Jewish Center Passaic, NJ The Jewish Center of Deerfield Beach, FL Heichal Shlomo Lido Beach, NY Forest Hills, NY Atlantic Beach Young Israel of Plainview Jerusalem , Israel Young Israel of Fair Lawn Lincoln Square Rambam Mesivta Atlantic Beach, NY Plainview, NY Fair Lawn, NJ Herzlia - Adas Yeshurun Synagogue Lawrence, NY The Jewish Learning Young Israel of Potomac Winnipeg, MB New York, NY Young Israel of Flatbush Rambam Shul Initiative On Campus Potomac, MD Brooklyn, NY Hildesheimer Shul Lower Merion Synagogue Be’er Sheva, Israel Toronto, ON Young Israel of Queens Jerusalem , Israel Bala Cynwyd, PA Young Israel of Forest Riverdale Jewish Center The Kipa Valley Hills Hillel at Brandeis Ma’ayanot Yeshiva High Riverdale, NY Be’er Sheva, Israel Flushing, NY Forest Hills, NY Waltham, MA School for Girls SAR High School The Roslyn Synagogue Young Israel of Riverdale Teaneck, NJ Young Israel of Fort Lee Hoshen Modiin Riverdale, NY Roslyn Heights, NY Bronx, NY Fort Lee, NJ Modiin , Israel Magen David Sephardic SCY High The Village Shul Young Israel of Scarsdale Wykagyl, NY Young Israel of Greater The Jewish Educational San Diego, CA Toronto, ON Scarsdale, NY Cleveland Center Margolin Hebrew Sephardic Bikur Holim Thornhill Community Shul Beachwood, OH Young Israel of Sharon Elizabeth, NJ Academy Seattle, WA Thornhill, ON Sharon , MA Memphis, TN Young Israel of Hewlett JLIC - The Johns Hopkins Sephardic Congregation Tiferet Israel Hewlett, NY Young Israel of Skokie University Marlee Shul of Long Beach Toronto, ON Skokie, IL Baltimore, MD Toronto, ON Young Israel of Hillcrest Long Beach, NY Torat Emet Flushing, NY Young Israel of Southfield JLIC at Queens College Meitar Merkazi Sephardic Institute Columbus, OH Southfield, MI Hillel Be’er Sheva, Israel Young Israel of Synagogue Queens, NY Touro Synagogue Holliswood Young Israel of St. Louis Menorat Hamaor Brooklyn, NY Newport , RI Jamaica, NY St Louis, MO Joint Distibution Ramat Beit Shemesh, Israel Sephardic Kehila Centre Committee Ulpanat Orot Young Israel of Young Israel of Staten Merkaz Modiin Synagogue Jerusalem, Israel Downsview, ON Hollywood Island Modiin , Israel Thornhill, ON Fort Lauderdale, FL Staten Island, NY Kehilat Zichron Yosef United Orthodox Mevaser Zion Sha’arei Israel Jerusalem, Israel Synagogues Young Israel of Houston Young Israel of Toco Hills Tel Mond, Israel Raleigh, NC Houston, TX Houston, TX Atlanta, GA Kehillas Bais Yehudah Tzvi Mishkan Shilo Shaare Zedek Cong. Cedarhurst, NY University of Young Israel of Jamaica Young Israel of West Beit Shemesh , Israel Winnipeg, MB Massachusets JLIC Hillel Estates Hartford Kehillat Ahavat Tzion Mizrachi Bayit Shaarei Shomayim Amherst, MA Jamaica, NY West Hartford, CT Ramat Beit Shemesh, Israel Toronto, ON Toronto, ON University of Young Israel of Las Vegas Young Israel of West Kehilat Chovevei Tzion MJE Shaarei Tefilla Pennsylvania Hillel Las Vegas, NV Hempstead Skokie, IL New York, NY Las Vegas, NV Philadelphia, PA West Hempstead, NY Young Israel of Kehillat New Hemsptead Moledet Shaarei Tefillah Cong. Viewmount Lawrence-Cedarhurst Young Israel of West Spring Valley, NY Be’er Sheva, Israel Toronto, ON Toronto, ON Cedarhurst, NY Rogers Park Kehillat Ohel Ephraim Chicago, IL Moriah Shul Shaarei Torah Orthodox West Coast Torah Center Young Israel of Long Ariel, Israel Ra’anana, Israel Cong. of Syracuse Los Angeles, CA Beach Young Israel Ohab Zedek Kehillat Shaareei Torah Dewitt, NY Long Beach, NY of North Riverdale Moses Montefiore Anshe Westville Synagogue Of Toronto Yonkers, NY Emunah Shaarey Yerushalayim New Haven, CT Young Israel of Memphis Toronto, ON Baltimore, MD Valley Village, CA Memphis, TN Young Israel Shomrei Woodside Synagogue Kehillat Shaarei Yonah Emunah Ner Tamid Cong. Shaarey Zedek Ahavas Torah Young Israel Of Montreal Menachem Silver Spring, MD Baltimore, MD Valley Village, CA Silver Spring, MD Montréal, QC Modiin , Israel YU High School for Girls New Toco Shul Shalhevet High School Yagdil Torah Young Israel of Neve Kemp Mill Synagogue Hollis, NY Atlanta, GA Los Angeles, CA Boca Raton, FL Aliza Silver Spring, MD Karnei Shomron, Israel YULA Boys High School North Shore University Shivtei Yisrael Yavneh Academy Kenesseth Israel Cong. Los Angeles, CA Hospital Ra’anana, Israel Paramus, NJ Young Israel of New Hyde St Louis Park, MN Manhasset, NY Park Shomrai Shabbos JLIC at Yale University Kesher Israel Cong. New Hyde Park, NY Nusach Hari Bnai Zion Toronto, ON Hillel Harrisburg, PA St Louis, MO SKA High School for Girls New Haven, CT Young Israel of New Kesher Israel Rochelle NY Hospital - Queens Hewlett Bay Park, NY Yeshiva of Flatbush Washington, DC New Rochelle, NY Flushing, NY Brooklyn, NY 35 Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary • The Benjamin and Rose Berger CJF Torah To-Go Series • Tisha B’av 5777 YESHIVA UNIVERSITY’S CENTER FOR THE JEWISH FUTURE AND CONGREGATION KETER TORAH PRESENT Mourning for

כל המתאבל2017 על in ירושלים זוכה ורואה בשמחתהJerusalem Tisha B’Av Live Webcast • Tuesday, August 1, 2017 www.YUTorah.org/TishaBav

8:30am Shacharit 9:15am Opening shiur

11:00am Kinot recital and discussion 5:00pm Mincha Sponsored in appreciation of Rabbi Dr. Jacob J. Schacter & Yeshiva University and in commemoration of the 39th Yahrzeit for Helen Friedman Kuflik, Hodel Ruchama bat Avraham Shlomo v’Etta Malka, by Dr. Alan and Shuli Rockoff of Boston.

with Rabbi Dr. Jacob J. Schacter Congregation Senior Scholar, Center for the Jewish Future and Keter Torah University Professor of Jewish History and Jewish Thought, Yeshiva University

Congregation Keter Torah, 600 Roemer Avenue, Teaneck, NJ For more information, please call 212.960.5400 x 6078 36 Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary • The Benjamin and Rose Berger CJF Torah To-Go Series • Tisha B’av 5777