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TORAT MIZRACHI

VOLUME 3 • ISSUE 3

מנחם אב תש"ף TORAT ERETZ YISRAEL • PUBLISHED IN • DISTRIBUTED AROUND THE WORLD JULY 2020

ISRAEL EDITION

WITH GRATEFUL THANKS TO THE FOUNDING SPONSORS OF HAMIZRACHI – THE LAMM FAMILY OF MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA

Chief TISHA B’ EDITION on the differences SPECIAL KINOT PREPARATION GUIDE PAGE 14 between the two TISHA B’AV CROSSWORD FOR KIDS PAGE 47 Temples THE STORY OF A LIFE-TRANSFORMING MOMENT PAGE 44 PAGE 16

Rabbanit Shani Taragin makes the connection between tears and teshuva

PAGE 7

Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks offers seven principles for Jewish peoplehood

PAGE 18

Rabbanit Yemima Mizrachi presents a lyrical plea for remembering

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Rabbi Dov Lipman explains how we can understand suffering

PAGE 42 ִאם ֶאׁ ְש ָּכ ֵח ְך ְי ּרוׁ ָש ַל ִים Rahav Meir and Yedidya Meir with three ways to EMERGENCY CAMPAIGN make the Temple for our Yeshivot & Seminaries relevant to you

PAGE 10 PAGE 25

,our beloved grandparents, of blessed memory לעילוי נשמות This edition is dedicated ז“ל and Louis & Minnie Gecelter ז“ל Shimon & Annette Perez who together blazed the trail of and love of for our family Avi, Doron and Ilan Perez and Ariela Shpigel TORAT MIZRACHI

AM, ERETZ,

RELIGIOUS ZIONIST LEADERS www.mizrachi.org INSIDE 26 Rabbi Ben-Zion Meir Hai Uziel [email protected] +972 (0)2 620 9000 PLACES IN ISRAEL Jerusalem: Past and Future CHAIRMAN 27 Rivi Frankel Mr. Harvey Blitz RAV KOOK'S TEACHINGS

CHIEF EXECUTIVE Teachers Armed with Spiritual Might 28 Rabbi Chanan Morrison Rabbi Doron Perez ISRAEL INSIGHT EDUCATIONAL DIRECTORS Media Bias Against Israel Rabbi Reuven Taragin 30 Daniel S. Mariaschin TORAT MIZRACHI Rabbanit Shani Taragin Sinat Chinam: WHAT'S IN A WORD From Dispute to Demonization Tzom and Ta’anit 3 Rabbi Doron Perez 31 David Curwin

The Need for a Mikdash 4 Rabbi Binyamin Blau TISHA B’AV READING

Mourning in a Rebuilt Jerusalem Channeling Loneliness 32 Rabbi Shimshon HaKohen Nadel 6 Rabbi Reuven Taragin PUBLISHED BY THE MIZRACHI WORLD MOVEMENT The Most Important Relationship Tears and Teshuva EDITORIAL TEAM 33 Rabbi Andrew Shaw Rabbanit Shani Taragin Daniel ‏Verbov 7 Shafier Commemorating Destruction The Relevance of Tisha B’Av Rabbi Yosef Zvi Rimon 34 Rabbi Berel Wein CREATIVE DIRECTOR 8 and Rabbanit Sharon Rimon Jonny Lipczer Making the Temple Relevant The Secret of Consistency DESIGN SUPPORT Sivan Rahav Meir and 35 Rabbi Shalom Rosner Hadas Peretz 10 Yedidya Meir Encountering Eicha PRODUCTION AND ADVERTISING MANAGER SPECIAL FEATURE 36 Rabbi Stewart Weiss Meyer Sterman 14 Kinot Preperation Guide [email protected] What is Tisha B’Av? HaMizrachi seeks to spread Torat Eretz Yisrael throughout 37 Rabbi Ari Posner the world. HaMizrachi also contains articles, opinion pieces GLOBAL RELIGIOUS LEADERS and advertisements that represent the diversity of views and Two Temples, Two Goals SPECIAL FEATURE interests in our communities. These do not necessarily reflect David Lau Crying and Yearning any official position of Mizrachi or its branches. 16 38

If you don't want to keep HaMizrachi, you can double-wrap it The Beit HaMikdash as the before disposal, or place it directly into sheimos. Center of Limmud HaTorah 17 Rabbi Hershel Schachter GENERAL INTEREST PARENTING Seven Principles for Maintaining The Importance of Perspective Taking Jewish Peoplehood 40 Dr. David Pelcovitz 18 Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks RELATIONSHIPS Respect First, Love Second The Power of Hope 41 Rabbi Ben Tzion Shafier HaMizrachi 20 Chief Rabbi Dr. Warren Goldstein Dedication Understanding Suffering Opportunities 42 Rabbi Dov Lipman WOMEN’S VOICES The Preacher who Taught Me Don’t Forget that You Forgot! If you would like to dedicate an How to Mourn for the Temple 22 Rabbanit Yemima Mizrachi 44 issue of HaMizrachi in memory of Judy Waldman

a loved one or in celebration of a Coming Closer Torah as the Totality of G-d’s Will simcha, please send an email to 23 Mrs. Shira Smiles 46 Rabbi Zev Leff [email protected] Our Eternal Survival Tisha B’Av Crossword 24 Mrs. Michal Horowitz 47

2 | Cover photo: Sharon Gabay TORAT MIZRACHI

Rabbi Doron Perez

SinatFROM DISPUTE Chinam TO DEMONIZATION

ow is it possible to be gen- Thus the hatred and infighting in discourse often descends into sharp uinely kind to someone and Jerusalem were so disastrous on the divisiveness, delegitimization and to hate them at the same eve of destruction that Josephus demonization. time? describes the society as “a great H 3 body torn in pieces.” The Torah hints to the cure of this Remarkably, this is what the destructive phenomenon when it seems to say regarding the spiritual How do disagreements deteriorate tells us that Aharon the High Priest cause of the destruction of the into such deep hatred? passed away on Av, : the first day of the of Av.4 In the War Scroll, found near the At the onset of what would become “During the Second Temple period, Dead Sea in the caves of Qumran, the most tragic time in Jewish the people occupied themselves with we can perhaps detect an answer. history – the first nine days of the The text – probably written by the Torah, Mitzvot and lovingkindness. month of Av culminating in Tisha Essenes – describes its followers Why was the Temple destroyed? B’Av – we are charged to recall as “the sons of light” and all others Because they acted with Sinat Aharon’s life and legacy. More than 1 (including fellow ) as “the sons Chinam – senseless hatred.” anyone else in our history, he was of darkness.” How is this possible? the national peacemaker, always This changes the rules of discourse. doing everything he could to create The Netziv suggests an answer: peace and harmony between fellow The people being hated were not We are no longer debating views Jews, despite salient differences and the same ones being showered with or ideas. We are delegitimizing the painful personal disputes.5 lovingkindness: “As a result of the other as a person. It is no longer senseless hatred in their hearts that about perspectives but about the At this time of year when we reflect one harbored for the other, they person – vicious ad hominem on what the Sages tell us is the suspected all those who did not attacks. It’s no longer about right spiritual cause of the destruction of follow their path as a G-d-fearing and wrong, but about you and me. the Temple – senseless hatred – we of being a Sadducee and a All who think and act like me are should evoke Aharon’s memory and heretic.” 2 ‘good’ and bring spiritual light and aim to strive for its cure. morality to the world and all who If you were part of my community disagree are ‘bad’ and immoral, of believers and followed my invoking spiritual darkness. When customs you were accepted, but if I am absolutely right and you are not, you were rejected. absolutely wrong; when the other is totally disqualified and seen as part Sectarianism reigned supreme prior of ‘the dark side,’ we are treading to the destruction. There were dangerously close to the abyss of 1 Yoma 9b. many distinct sects – , senseless hatred. 2 Rabbi Naftali Tzvi Yehuda Berlin, HaEmek , Essenes, Zealots and Davar, introduction to the book of Sicarii – and more factions within How blessed we are to have a Genesis. these sects. If you were part of my renewed Jewish society in Israel. 3 The Jewish War, Book 5:1. faction, specific ideological group We face many challenges here 4 Interestingly, this is the only Yahrzeit date mentioned explicitly in the Torah - that and community, you were worthy and around the world as to how Aharon died on the first day of the 5th of endless kindness. But if you were best chart the way forward. These month (Bamidbar 33:38). Remarkably, this part of another sect whose values issues are often extremely divisive appears in Parashat Masei which is read every year around Rosh Chodesh Av. and beliefs threatened mine, you because they touch the very 5 Avot DeRabbi Natan 12. were scorned and hated. There was essence of Jewish life and destiny. no middle road. Only black and This is particularly true during white. Either you’re ideologically the prolonged election period Rabbi Doron Perez is Chief Executive of with me or against me. in Israel. Respectful democratic the Mizrachi World Movement

| 3 TORAT MIZRACHI

Rabbi Binyamin Blau THE NEED FOR A Mikdash hy does the Churban Torah study. Which one is correct our Creator and as such, its loss was HaBayit play such a and how can the latter offense be devastating. That is why the people central role in ? the cause of the Mikdash being reacted with a profound sense WIf one examines the words of the destroyed? of despondency; they accurately Rambam when he explains the recognized that this bond was underlying reason for engaging in The Rambam, in his commentary not easily duplicated and that fasts, one is immediately struck on the Mishna (on Masechet Rosh their connection to G-d had been by how critical the loss of the Beit Hashanah), makes a bold statement severed. HaMikdash is to all our ta’aniot. regarding the observance of Tisha While and Ta’anit B’Av during the time of the second When the second Beit HaMikdash Esther are obviously in their own Beit HaMikdash. He asserts that was built, there was some categories, all the other fasts even though they were performing consolation but the gaps in the are linked to this event. Clearly the avodah in the Mikdash, the relationship remained. There was the destruction of G-d’s home is people still fasted on the ninth of no Aron or Urim VeTumim (to name calamitous, but considering our Av. This is puzzling. If the fast is just two discrepancies) and so the history is replete with many other due to the Churban HaBayit, how people still observed Tisha B’Av for tragedies, why does it play such an can it be observed while the second that which had been lost and not outsized role? Beit HaMikdash is functioning? been restored. They still had ample reason to mourn. Before answering this question, let Finally, we may pose one last us raise a few interesting queries fundamental question and ask – Finally, we may now explain the and see if indeed one principle why is there a need for a Mikdash enigmatic passage in Nedarim that can address all our concerns. at all? Does G-d really need a home, attributes the churban to the failure The in Bava Batra (60b) does not the Mishna in Pirkei to say Birkat HaTorah. They had describes the Jewish people’s Avot (3:2) state that the Shechina become complacent. They took response after the churban and is present when two people study the relationship they had with it is powerfully evocative of the Torah together? HaKadosh Baruch Hu for granted sentiments expressed by some and therefore did not heed the survivors after . They Perhaps the solution to all our admonitions of the great prophets. did not wish to eat or drink, and problems is as follows: there is Eventually, they behaved badly, there was an incredible sense of a vast difference in letting G-d but their initial downfall was a despondency at what had been lost. into our lives and our entering lack of appreciation for the direct Once again, a deeper explanation into His Home. It is true we have connection they enjoyed. is required; why did the loss of the the capacity to bring the Divine Mikdash elicit such a poignant presence into our midst even by We live in an era in which we are reaction? learning Torah with a chavruta, privileged to reside in our homeland but the fullness of that relationship once again – in Medinat Yisrael. When the Talmud Bavli examines can only be expressed when G-d is We are fortunate that Yerushalayim the sins that led to the destruction totally revealed, and that occurred is ours and that the Kotel is in our of the Bayit Rishon, two very when we had the privilege of the hands. However, it is only when the different rationales are offered. In Mikdash. Third Beit HaMikdash is built that Yoma (9b), the Gemara describes our relationship with G-d will truly how Am Yisrael engaged in the During the period of the first be complete. most heinous of sins (such as Beit HaMikdash, one could offer murder) while in Nedarim (81a) we a korban and receive a direct are told the churban was brought response. Miracles could be Rabbi Binyamin Blau is on the Jewish about by the nation’s failure to say witnessed daily. This enabled an National Rabbinic Advisory Board of Birkat HaTorah before engaging in incredibly unique relationship with Religious Zionists of America-Mizrachi

4 | TORAT MIZRACHI Rabbi Binyamin Blau Which number will you be?

DIGITAL EDITION DIGITAL EDITION DIGITAL EDITION

TORAT ERETZ YISRAEL TORAT ERETZ YISRAEL • TORAT ERETZ YISRAEL • TORAT ERETZ YISRAEL TORAT ERETZ YISRAEL TORAT ERETZ YISRAEL TORAT ERETZ YISRAEL • PUBLISHED IN JERUSALEM • PUBLISHED IN JERUSALEM • PUBLISHED IN JERUSALEM • VOLUME 2 • ISSUE 10 VOLUME 3 • ISSUE 1 VOLUME 3 • ISSUE 2 • PUBLISHED IN JERUSALEM • • PUBLISHED IN JERUSALEM • • PUBLISHED IN JERUSALEM • • PUBLISHED IN JERUSALEM • VOLUME 2 • ISSUE 7 VOLUME 2 • ISSUE 5 VOLUME 2 • ISSUE 8 VOLUME 2 • ISSUE 6 DISTRIBUTED AROUND THE WORLD DISTRIBUTED AROUND THE WORLD DISTRIBUTED AROUND THE WORLD DISTRIBUTED AROUND THE WORLD DISTRIBUTED AROUND THE WORLD DISTRIBUTED AROUND THE WORLD DISTRIBUTED AROUND THE WORLD אייר תש"ף אייר תש"ף ניסן תש"ף TO THE FOUNDING SPONSORS OF HAMIZRACHI WITH GRATEFULAPRIL THANKS2020 TO THE FOUNDING SPONSORS OF HAMIZRACHI – WITH GRATEFULAPRIL THANKS2020 TO THE FOUNDING SPONSORS OF HAMIZRACHI MAY 2020 מרחשוןTHANKS תש"ףWITH GRATEFUL שבט תש"ף תשרי תש"פ כסלו תש"ף DECEMBER 2019 OCTOBER 2019 NOVEMBER 2019 WITH GRATEFUL THANKS TO THE FOUNDING SPONSORS OF HAMIZRACHI WITH GRATEFULFEBRUARY THANKS 2020 TO THE FOUNDING SPONSORS OF HAMIZRACHI WITH GRATEFUL THANKS TO THE FOUNDING SPONSORS OF HAMIZRACHI WITH GRATEFUL THANKS TO THE FOUNDING SPONSORS OF HAMIZRACHI ISRAEL EDITION ISRAEL EDITION ISRAEL EDITION AUSTRALIAN EDITION ISRAEL EDITION ISRAEL EDITION ISRAEL EDITION – THE LAMM FAMILY OF MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA THE LAMM FAMILY OF MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – THE LAMM FAMILY OF MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – THE LAMM FAMILY OF MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – THE LAMM FAMILY OF MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – THE LAMM FAMILY OF MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – THE LAMM FAMILY OF MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA Rabbi Hershel Senator Joe SIVAN RABBI HERSHEL Schachter Lieberman RABBI HERSHEL RAHAV-MEIR RABBI HERSHEL on Bill Clinton and RABBI HERSHEL SCHACHTER on the deeper SCHACHTER tells the story of the SCHACHTER on the importance of significance of the 5th the Entertainment age-old Jewish weapon SCHACHTER reveals the fascinating Yom Yerushalayim on why G-d , Sippur Yetziat Miztrayim Culture ‘changed the rules’ with a fascinating look root of all kedushah PESACH of CHANUKAH PAGE 24 into Israel’s holiness CHAYEI SARAH PAGE 5 PAGE 42 and Edition PAGE 10 Rabbi Benji Levy AND PAGE 10 PAGE 8 TU BISHVATRABBANIT SHANI Rabbanit Shani Rabbanit Shani RABBANIT SHANI on Jewish Continuity PAGE 8 RABBANITSPECIAL SHANI EDITIONTaragin Taragin TARAGIN RABBI LORD 64 TARAGIN JONATHAN SACKS RABBANIT SHANI connects to the TARAGINEDITION compares our situation connects David HaMelech, talks about antibiotic PAGE 12 Crises and Corona: explains why insecurity TARAGIN PAGES! power of this year with Bnot Avraham Avinu and Yom and probiotic education explains the is a good thing on almonds, moons A PesachTzelofchad Perspective Yerushalayim PAGE 7 “Five-Star” Seder PAGE 7 The Menorah: and personal renewal from RabbiPAGE Doron 7 Perez PAGE 7 PAGE 18 PAGE 7 PAGE 7 PAGES 3-4 8 IlluminatingRABBANIT SHANI Facts RABBI MENACHEM TARAGIN RABBI LORD PAGE 16 LEIBTAG JONATHAN SACKS explores the difference analyzes the first real Rabbi Lord Rabbi Lord between water and wine An Ethiopian Exodus:Jonathan Sacks Jonathan Sacks highlights what really keeps estate deal in history RABBI LORD RABBI LORD offers a fascinating shares his passion for the Jewish spirit alive Ashkelon Under Fire: JONATHAN SACKS Ben-Gurion’s JONATHAN SACKS The Story ofoverview of Israel and the PAGE 9 PAGE 14 presents the greatest gift Rabbi Shalom Sharon’s Jerusalem explores the Middle East PAGE 18 A Personal Account ecological imperative SIVAN RAHAV MEIR Hebron Hebrew with inspirational we can give our children Journey to Israel RABBANIT RACHELLE PAGE RABBI26 DR. ABRAHAM PAGE 14 PAGE 18 FRAENKEL life lessons from History PAGES 50-51 J. TWERSKI PAGE 14 Avraham and Sarah Rabbanit Yemima Dr. Yael Ziegler tells two jokes to make with the antidote to PAGE 22 PAGE 18 DR. YAEL Mizrachi with some fascinating one serious point resentment in Mizrachi’s Journey PAGE 18 RABBANIT RACHELLE reveals the significance insights into the Book of relationships ZIEGLER FRAENKEL ofALSO: Israel’s 72nd birthday Ruth PAGE 14 shares the significance of PAGE 38 Hebron Timeline Your HaMizrachi to Poland barley in the Book of Ruth with the difference between TOVAPAGE 30 RABBI ZEV LEFF Seder Companion GANZEL on a surprising way to memoryPAGE and 30 history PAGE 8 PAGE 14 RABBI YOSEF ZVI reveals the secrets of PAGE 23 add meaning to life PAGES 34-43 RIMON the wondrous willow discusses feet and PAGE 16 marketplaces nowadays 12 Facts Rabbi Shalom Rabbi Hershel PAGE 54 RABBI DR. ABRAHAM PAGE 12 EVE HAROW Rosner Schachter about Hebron with a wonderful explains how we TWERSKI explores modern Hebron RABBI MENACHEM explanation of the Israeli PAGE 8 reveals important insights PAGE 32 determine the date of SIVAN RAHAV MEIR RABBI BEREL as it merges with the past about low self-esteem LEIBTAG flag Shavuotושמחת בחגך! AND YEDIDYA MEIR Mizrachi WEIN Insights into happiness from Rabbi Doron Perez, asks where we should with eight light and on why Israel is the place to be on Sukkot PAGE 13 PAGE 8 bright insights PAGE 44 PAGE 44 Uncovering the start Maggid Australia Rabbi Chaim Navon, Mrs.SIVAN Shira RAHAV Smiles, MEIR Sivan Rahav Meir Sivan Rahav Meir Mystery of Machpela and Yedidya Meir and Yedidya Meir PAGE 32 PAGE 15 Rabbi Hershel Schachter, Rabbi Dr.AND YEDIDYAAaron MEIRAdler, PAGE 28 dedicated in loving memory of Conference touch our hearts with offer some inspiring proposes five reasons DedicatedGUIDE in honor of our Parents and Grandparents, b’zechut our AvotSIVAN andPAGE RAHAV Imahot, 34 MEIR words from the soul thoughts for these INSIDE! Rabbi David Aaron and Rabbito celebrate Alex Tu Israel BiShvat AND YEDIDYA MEIR times Eliezer ben Shmuel Dov PAGE 21 TO THE A special Aseret HaDibrot section, with 10 refreshing thoughts from the whole herszaft family offer you food for SPECIAL FEATURE IN ADVANCE OF THE 13TH SIYUM HASHAS: SEVEN nancy & brian somer ∙ PAGE 34 PAGE 30 a fun Jerusalem Quiz for all the family ,ז"ל INSIDE! PAGE 46 Seder thought SPECIES elayne & dov greenstone ∙ and a delicious Israeli cheesecake recipe! Who Really Initiated Daf Yomi? dedicated in loving memory of hamilton, ontario OF ISRAEL modiin, israel PAGE 30 pinchas kurnedz From your Children and Grandchildren, PAGE 21 sponsored anonymously ז"לPAGE 40 by his children and family To dedicate an edition of HaMizrachi, please email [email protected] shoshana & benji mehler,shayna michal& brad &somer shmuel ∙ somer, akiva, ezra and rafi sponsored anonymously לעילוי נשמות a survivor, a fighter, and a passionate zionist loved and missed by all memphis, tn l’tiferet medinat yisrael our fallen heroes

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HaMizrachi will be distributed to local pick-up points based on sign-up. | 5 TORAT MIZRACHI MIZRACHI EDUCATORS

Rabbi Reuven Taragin Rabbanit Shani Taragin

Channeling Loneliness

Eicha Yashva Badad meaningful relationship with Hashem to reflect and appreciate the rela- hinges on people feeling lonely with- tionships he or she has abused (3:27- egillat Eicha opens by out Him. Dveikut with another is only 28). This reflection leads to a return expressing surprise at possible when one feels for no one to Hashem later in the perek – “Let Yerushalayim’s and the else. us search and try our ways and turn Jewish people’s loneliness and iso- M back to Hashem. Let us lift up our lation. This loneliness is the cen- These kinds of relationships help heart with our hands to G-d in the tral theme of the entire first perek, people find true and meaningful sup- heavens. We have transgressed and which describes how the city once port and strength. Ya’akov Avinu’s have rebelled...” (3:40-42) full of people has become like a relationship with Hashem helped -Am Yisrael has gotten the mes ִ א י שׁ widow (1:1), all her friends have him vanquish the mysterious 5 betrayed her and become her ene- and we6 – his descendants – learn sage. Hashem orchestrated the mass mies (1:2, 19), and she has become from him how to find similar celes- betrayal and isolation so we would 7 appreciate the need to turn and ְו ִנ ְש ַּׂגב ה’ – like a nida (1:8). The perek empha- tially-inspired strength

.When we live this way, we and return to Him . ְל ַב ּד וֹ sizes four times (1:2, 9, 16, 21) that no one cares enough to even offer Hashem share a mutually exclusive consolation. It is this that Yirmiya relationship – alone with each other. Tisha B’Av 5780 This relationship, described in Shirat ַעל ֵאֶּלה ֲאִני ִבוֹכָּיה ֵע ִיני ֵע ִיני – cries for Even with our return to Israel and ה’ ָּב ָדד ַיְנ ֶחּנּו ְו ֵאין ִע ּמוֹ ֵאל ֵנ ָכר Ha’azinu8 as . ְיֹר ָדה ַּמ ִים ִּכי ָר ַחק ִמ ֶּמ ִּני ְמ ַנ ֵחם ֵמׁ ִשיב ַנ ְפׁ ִשי the building of our own State, we ַו ִּיׁ ְש ּכֹן – allows for true security9 10 remain isolated and lonely. This year, . ִי ְשָׂר ֵאל ֶּב ַטח ָּב ָדד Loneliness in the Torah that loneliness is reinforced by the The difficulty of loneliness is already The Eicha Call to Hashem Corona-forced separation from one described by the Torah. Moshe ref- another. May we learn to internalize ֵא ָיכה ֶא ָּשׂא ְל ַב ִ ּדי erences it in the words Appreciating this, Megillat Eicha the message of this loneliness and (Devarim 1:12). The burden of Jewish channels its sense of loneliness channel it towards a turn and return leadership is difficult; carrying it towards a relationship with Hashem. to Hashem asking Him to return us alone is unbearable. In fact, Hashem Perek Aleph ends with a call to to Him. May our doing so merit His identifies loneliness as what makes Hashem – “I called for my lovers but response. they deceived me… See Hashem for ֹל א ט וֹ ב – Man incomplete as single1 When we are alone is I am in distress… There is none to . ֱה י וֹ ת ָה ָא ָד ם ְל ַב ּד וֹ also when we are most vulnerable. comfort me” (1:19-21). 1 Bereishit 2:18. The Torah emphasizes that Ya’akov 2 Ibid 32:25. Perek Bet emphasizes that Hashem Avinu was attacked when he was 3 Bamidbar 23:9. -is the One who has brought the suf ּ ּ ּ ּ ּ 2 See HaEmek Davar about the importance 4 .ַו ִיָו ֵתר ַי ֲעקֹב ְל ַבדוֹ ַוֵי ָא ֵבק ִאישׁ ִעמוֹ – alone fering. It is His way of calling us to of Jews retaining their unique distinct Am Levadad Yishkon turn to Him. “Hashem has done that identity and not assimilating. which He devised. He has fulfilled 5 See Seforno 32:26 based on Shir Hashirim All this having been said, being alone His word that He commanded in days Rabbah 3:9. is not always a bad thing. Bilam’s 6 See Rashi Bamidbar 23:9 based on the 3 of old. Arise, cry out in the night: in blessings include a description of the beginning of the watches pour out targumim. ָעם ְל ָב ָדד ִיׁ ְש ּכֹן the Jewish People as – a your heart like water opposite Hash- 7 See Bereishit Rabbah 77:1. blessing because our separation from em’s face…” (2:17-19). 8 Devarim 32:12. other nations helps us focus on our 9 Ibid 33:28. relationship with Hashem.4 Loneli- The pivotal, personal Perek Gimmel 10 With the relationship with Hashem ness makes real relationships possible. recognizes that Hashem has isolated available to all of us at all times, no Jew is ever alone Love builds off two people’s loneliness us from the rest of the world to focus and crystallizes into marriage when us on our relationship with Him. Suf- Rabbi Reuven Taragin is Educational the two commit to one another to the fering can sometimes be good and Director of Mizrachi and Dean of the exclusion of all others. Similarly, a helpful for one who needs to be alone Yeshivat HaKotel Overseas Program

6 | MIZRACHI EDUCATORS TORAT MIZRACHI

Rabbi Reuven Taragin Rabbanit Shani Taragin

Tears and Teshuva

This is what the L-rd says: narrative and referring consistently to return of their beloved children to “A voice is heard in Ramah, Yosef and Binyamin, the children of their Land! Mourning and great weeping, Rachel. Rachel weeping for her children Just as Ya’akov was eventually Refusing to be comforted, Furthermore, the exact terminol- reunited with Yosef, and Rachel’s Because her children are no more. ogy of this prophecy resonates children did return to Eretz Yisrael, This is what the L-rd says: with Ya’akov’s response to the dis- we have returned too. However, our Restrain your voice from weeping, appearance of Yosef: “Ya’akov rent Father in Heaven is still crying (see And your eyes from tears, his clothes, put on sackcloth, and Berachot 3a) for the loss of His chil- For your work will be mourned his son for a long time. His dren and banishment from His home, rewarded, says the L-rd. sons and daughters tried to comfort hopeful for return to the Beit HaMik- They will return from the him, but he refused to be comforted. dash. Yirmiyahu continues his proph- land of the enemy. He said, ‘I will go down to the grave ecy, employing parallel terminology: So there is hope for your mourning for my son’ (Bereishit “I have surely heard Ephraim future, declares the L-rd, 37:34–35). bemoaning himself… return you me, Your children will return and I shall be returned, for You are to their own Land.” Yirmiyahu intentionally weaves the the L-rd my G-d… Surely after that, (Yirmiyahu 31:14–16) loss of Yosef to his father with the I was returned, I repented… I was loss of Yosef, the firstborn of Rachel, ashamed, even confounded, because his beautiful prophecy of to his mother, both of whom may not I did bear the reproach of my youth… consolation is presented as be consoled! The connects Is Ephraim a darling son to Me? Is he a dialogue between G-d and these narratives and explains the a child that is dandled? For as often as Rachel. In response to the cries of T refusal to be consoled: “One can be I speak of him, I do earnestly remem- Rachel (a voice weeping), G-d answers comforted for one who is dead, but ber him still; therefore My heart – “Restrain your voice from weep- not for one who is still living.” Ya’akov yearns for him, I will surely have ing,” and in response to “Because refused to be comforted because he compassion upon him, said the L-rd” her children are no more,” G-d had not yet given up hope that Yosef (Yirmiyahu 31:17-19). assures Rachel: “Your work will be was still alive. rewarded… there is hope for your Yirmiyahu teaches us that it is not future.” The only source of conso- Yirmiyahu reminds us that just as the enough to remember the cries of lation for Rachel is the assurance of tears of Yosef’s father attested to his Rachel and Ya’akov, the merits of our survival and the return of her chil- survival and ultimate reunion, so too, patriarchs and matriarchs, their lack dren to their Land. the tears of Yosef’s mother, refusing of consolation that will inspire and to be comforted, refusing to give up But why does Yirmiyahu particu- direct us to return to the Land. There hope, will assure the return of Yosef’s larly depict Rachel as crying for her is another return of children to par- descendants, the people of Israel. children at a time of exile to express ents – a repentance we must initiate... and only the two actions combined the tearful longings of our national Rachel’s tears remind us of Ya’akov’s ancestors? will assure the return to our Father’s tears of the past – a father’s loss over Home. As we examine the verses carefully, his beloved child, and direct us for the we note numerous references to the future. Rachel’s tears teach us never story of Rachel’s son, Yosef, who was to be consoled, and never to give up also exiled from his family and his hope for what is most precious to homeland. Rachel refuses to be con- us. Rav Chanan Porat explains that soled for “her children (plural) who Rachel’s tears are therefore described Rabbanit Shani Taragin is Educational a creative and func- Director of Mizrachi and the Director of – ”פעולה“ is (singular) no more,” which is remi- as a 'is no more), tional action, a constant, restless state the Mizrachi Matan Lapidot Educators) איננו niscent of the word mentioned seven times in the Yosef for fathers and mothers seeking the Program

| 7 TORAT MIZRACHI

Rabbi Yosef Zvi Rimon and Rabbanit Sharon Rimon

Fast Days Commemorating Destruction at a Time of Rebuilding

n Tanach, we do not find in that we follow all the customs of Therefore, the Rambam writes as an expression of sorrow, but mourning on those days (at least (Ta’aniot 5:1): rather as preparation and sanc- on Tisha B’Av); and because Zech- Itification to receive G-d’s revela- ariah prophesied that in the future “There are days when the entire Jewish people fast because of the tion. We see examples of this when final redemption, these fast days calamities that occurred to them Moshe received the Torah, Eliyahu will become days of rejoicing. We then, to arouse their hearts and stood at Mount Chorev, the purifi- understand this to mean that when awaken within them the paths of cation process on Yom Kippur. Fast- the sorrow and pain end, there will repentance. This will serve as a ing is also an integral part of pray- be no more need for fasts. ing and beseeching G-d – as seen reminder of our wicked conduct with Shaul in his war against the Surprisingly though, we find that and that of our ancestors – which Philistines and David who fasted even when the Second Temple resembles our present conduct and prayed before his infant son stood, the people continued to fast – which brought upon them and passed away. on Tisha B’Av for the destruction upon us all of these calamities. By of the First Temple. Indeed, they reminding ourselves of these mat- In light of this understanding of ters, we will repent and improve, fasting, how are we to interpret even turned to the prophets and Kohanim questioning this (while as it states in Vayikra 26:40: And the meaning of the fast days com- they will confess their sins and the memorating the destruction of the they were building the Temple): sins of their ancestors.” Temple? “And it came to pass in the fourth year of King Darius, the word of The essence is the crying and The Four Fasts in Tanach G-d came to Zechariah on the repentance, which will cause us to be better people. Firstly, it does not mention any- fourth day of the ninth month, in . And Saretzer and Regem where in Tanach that the four fasts Fasting for the Present were instituted because of the Melech and his men sent a mes- destruction. Rather, only Zechariah sage to Beit El to pray before G-d; If so, we learn that the fasts are not mentions them, and only in terms and to ask the Kohanim of the because of pain over the past, but of fasts that will become festivals: Temple of G-d, the L-rd of Hosts, for what is happening right now, and the prophets, saying, ‘Shall I “So said the L-rd of Hosts: The fast and as a reminder for the future. weep in the fifth month, abstaining of the fourth (month – ), from all pleasure, as I have done Firstly, when there are difficul- the fast of the fifth (month – Av), these many years?’” (Zechariah ties in our present circumstances, the fast of the seventh (month – such as war, pandemic, drought or ), and the fast of the tenth 7:1-3) other harsh decrees, these all join (month – ), shall be for the The prophet’s response was that together as a continuation of the house of Judah for joy and happi- the fast and its laws are not the destruction of the Temple. This is ness, and for happy festivals – you main point, but rather a reminder why we also say many things in the shall love truth and peace.” (Zech- to the people to fix their ways. Kinot for Tisha B’Av that have no ariah 8:19) The prophet made it clear that we connection to the destruction of Simply put, it would seem that the are not fasting over the pain of the the Temple, but are calamities that fast days over the destruction of destruction itself, but for the rea- befell Am Yisrael throughout the the Temple express mourning, both sons that caused the destruction. exile, such as the Crusades of 1096,

8 | TORAT MIZRACHI

the burning of the Talmud, the rejoicing. Wouldn’t it have been This may be why these fast days Holocaust, etc. enough for them to have been nulli- were not mentioned directly in fied? Why do they have to be turned Tanach as days of mourning, but Secondly, the fast reminds us that into holidays? rather its opposite – as days that even when things are going well, will become joyous holidays. The even when the Temple stands, we In Megillat Eicha (1:15) it states: essence of these fast days is not the still need to behave properly, so that “The L-rd has trampled all my past but the future. The destruction things will not take a turn for the mighty men in my midst, He sum- clarifies the reasons that brought it against me ( מ וֹ ֵע ד) worse – G-d forbid. moned a set time about and what we need to change to crush my young men...” From Presently, to our great sorrow, our and fix. This correction then leads here the (559:4) Temple lies in ruins. And yet there us toward the future Temple, with learns that Tisha B’Av is called a are many things we have merited G-d’s help. The main point of the holiday), and thus we do not) מ וֹ ֵע ד to see: we have returned to our recite . fast is to turn these days into happi- Land after 2,000 years of exile, we ness and rejoicing. have a State, and we have seen how The Maharal explains that the word !We Believe ִה ְתַו ֲע ּדות comes from the word מ וֹ ֵע ד the prestige of the Torah has been uplifted. Nevertheless, there are – to come together. That is to say, still many things lacking – in terms Am Yisrael joins with G-d: Am Yisrael and the entire world is of our sovereign rule over all of going through a very rough time. our Land and most importantly, in “The festivals teach us about the Hundreds of thousands of people terms of G-d’s presence and feeling connection and bond that Am Yis- have died from Corona, millions are His rule in our midst. rael has with G-d, and therefore still sick with it, many people have as it is writ- been hurt financially, and the future ,מועד they are called We are in a time of rebuilding, but ten: ‘I will arrange My meetings is uncertain. This reality brings us ונועדתי now more than ever it is crucial for ( ) with you there, and I will to prayer, introspection, and long- us to fast over the destruction of the speak with you from atop the ark ing for better times, when all of Temple! We continue to fast on Tisha cover from between the two cher- these difficulties will turn the world B’Av and to cry over all the things we ubim that are upon the Ark of the into a better place: more ethical, lack – we cry that our Temple lies Testimony...’ This is the language spiritual, trustworthy, friendly and in ruins; we cry that G-d’s Shechina of coming together and connec- pure. remains in exile. Through the tears, tion.” (Ohr Chadash, introduction we also remember all the things we beginning with “Rav Ashi”) Through all the hardships, we have merited, Baruch Hashem, and remember we are living in the Thus, while Tisha B’Av may be a this gives our tears additional sig- midst of the process of Redemp- day of sorrow and pain, it also has nificance. Are we really behaving tion. We have had the merit to see the element of connecting to G-d. in the appropriate way to be worthy the rebirth of the State of Israel, of everything we have been given? We cry and we are sad, but at the and to witness G-d’s abundant kind- Additionally, we remind ourselves same time we feel a closeness to nesses every day. May we merit, that if we have merited so much, if G-d – who loves us and is with us with His help, to continue to fix and we have merited to see the begin- throughout history, even in our improve, to uplift and be uplifted, ning of the Redemption, we have the darkest hours. This comforts us, to pray from our hearts, and to see power to reach even greater heights. and so we do not say Tachanun. We must demand more of ourselves the final Redemption, speedily in and strive for improvement, so we A day of crying and fasting is not our days! may merit to see the full Redemp- simply about mourning. It is a tion, with G-d’s help. special communication with G-d through tears. One does not nullify The Four Fasts Shall Be such communication. One enhances Rabbi Yosef Zvi Rimon is Head of for Joy And Happiness it. When the pain will one day be Mizrachi's Shalhevet Educational Advisory nullified, we will be able to connect Board and Chairman of Sulamot As we have seen, the prophet Zech- with Him through joy. Until then, Rabbanit Rabbanit Sharon Rimon teaches ariah tells us that in the future, we must connect to Him through Tanach and is Content Editor for the the fast days will become days of weeping. HaTanakh website

| 9 TORAT MIZRACHI MIZRACHI SHLICHIM

Sivan Rahav Meir and Yedidya Meir

“The problem these days is that we feel obligated to broadcast to the world that 1we are perfect,” said Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Jacobson when we met with him in New York.

“We don’t talk enough about our difficulties since we don’t under- stand that these very difficulties and the challenges they present, lead us to the truth, to an honest Making assessment of who we are. We have only now begun to read the Torah all over again, starting from Bereishit. Everyone is familiar with the first passage in the Torah, the but what about the last? Just before we read about Creation, the last passage in the Torah reminds us of Moshe’s breaking the tablets of the Temple covenant when he saw the people worshiping a .

The Torah ends with a description of everything Moshe did for us and yet, his final deed mentioned is his Relevant breaking of the tablets. And it’s truly astonishing that the last words of Rashi’s monumental commentary on the Torah are: yasher koach for breaking the tablets. Congratula- Three Messages tions on breaking them! Leonard Cohen once sang:

Forget your perfect offering, for Tisha B’Av There is a crack in everything, That’s how the light gets in.

There is no reason to be embar- rassed by cracks since G-d is in every one of them. As the Chas- sidim say, there is nothing more complete than a broken heart. It’s like the earth which must be hoed and plowed, split and broken up, in order for new growth to emerge through the cracks. When some- thing is shattered, something new

10 | MIZRACHI SHLICHIM TORAT MIZRACHI

begins to emerge. We are not per- money. At this time of year, we we gave over our possessions to the fect. Even the Torah, which is the yearn for the most when it comes to desert bandits. During Operation essence of perfection, ends with joy, inner peace, spirituality, Torah , my family and I continued congratulations for breaking the and sanctity.” on foot, despite our hunger and tablets upon which it was written. thirst, happy in the knowledge that And had they not been broken, the The following is one of the after so many generations we had magnificent Oral Torah would never most meaningful messages we the merit to stand at the gates of the have come to be. Only after we are have received via WhatsApp, Holy Temple, G-d’s chosen site. reminded of and see the importance 3and we would like to share it with of what is broken can we experience you: We reached Jerusalem. a new beginning once again.” “This is Michal Avera-Samuel, age 2,000 years after the event, we Seeing the pain and looking it 42. I am the Executive Director of found out the Temple had been in the eyes – this is what needs Fidel, the Association for the Edu- destroyed. To this day, I am unable to be done now, even though cation and Social Integration of to fill the huge emptiness in my life. 2it is much easier to repress it. The Ethiopian Jews in Israel. Until I was I remember when my father saw following, written by Rabbi Erez nine years old, I lived in a world in Jews driving their cars in Jerusalem Moshe Doron, sums up the whole which the Temple was standing. on . I could actually ‘hear’ story: his desolation. Like my parents and all my teach- “Usually, we seek distraction, con- ers, I grew up with the belief that The years have passed, I have grown solation. But on Tisha B’Av we are following the destruction of the older and I understood that I had called upon to notice the sorrow, First Temple, the Second Temple actually gained from the experience. the imperfect reality. was still standing in Jerusalem. We I was privileged to grow up with a believed that the city was made Temple that was standing. When Not to escape from it, not to do of gold, in the literal sense of the I formed my personality, I had the everything in our power just not meaning. I heard stories of the honor of having the goal of being to hurt, as in the pleasure-seek- priests practicing their duties in the worthy of the Temple. My parents ing culture of the West. Yes, there Temple, my bedtime stories were lived to a ripe old age and their is bad in the world, there is bit- about the holiness of Jerusalem and aim in life was to be pure enough terness. And we do not only seek I prayed to have the merit to return for Jerusalem. It was I, as opposed consolation, temporary relief, but to Jerusalem, the spiritual center of to generations of Jews since the rather a full redemption, corrected, the world. destruction of the Temple, who a perfect reality. This is the time of merited growing up differently. year in which we are called upon to Belief in Jerusalem was the key fight for the world, to fight for the component of our education in I and those who were brought up situation of Am Yisrael, which is Ethiopia, for both children and like me can honestly feel the pain supposed to be totally different. It adults. of the destruction. We fully under- is not for naught that in the Jewish The absolute truth was passed stand how the loss of the Temple sources it is said that when one goes affects our lives.” up to the Heavenly Court, one is down from generation to gener- asked: ‘Were you expecting salva- ation that we were obliged to be tion?’ That is, did you really want a pure in heart and practice so that change? Did you believe it was pos- we would one day be worthy of sible to correct reality? Did you try coming to the Temple. This gave us to improve things? Were you hurt- the strength to survive the treach- ing because of the situation? erous trek through the desert. We dreamed of Jerusalem as we Sivan Rahav Meir and Yedidya Meir are We tend to yearn for the most only buried our family and friends who popular Israeli media personalities and when it comes to property and did not survive the journey and as World Mizrachi’s shlichim to North America

| 11 , A TISHA B AV ISRAEL JOURNEY

An Online Reading Nachamu of Megillat Eicha Nachamu Ami: read by Chief Comfort after around the world the Destruction

Chief Rabbi David Lau

Kinot On Location Join us from meaningful sites around the world to mourn the destruction of the Temples and other tragedies in Rabbi Yonoson Golomb ∙ Eve Harow ∙ Rabbi Simcha Hochbaum Rabbi Yosef Zvi Rimon ∙ Rabbi Dovid Roberts ∙ Eliezer Meir Saidel Rabbi Moshe Sebbag ∙ Rabbi Dr. Jacob J. Schacter ∙ Rabbi Barnea Selevan Rabbi Jacov Di Segni ∙ Natan Sharansky ∙ Rabbi Michael Shudrich Rabbi Ken Spiro ∙ Rabbanit Shani Taragin ∙ Rabbi Hanoch Teller

Temple Mount Lookout Point Arch of Titus, Rome Ghetto Mass Graves, Warsaw Brandenburg Gate, Berlin Clifford’s Tower, York

VIEW THE ENTIRE PROGRAM ON YOUR OWN SCHEDULE AT

VIEW ON WWW.MIZRACHI.ORG/THREEWEEKS DEMAND AND SCREENED THROUGHOUT THE DAY ON OUR FACEBOOK AND YOUTUBE CHANNELS @WORLDMIZRACHI , A TISHA B AV ISRAEL JOURNEY

Eicha: Eicha in Sounds of Music, Conversation Agony of with Tehillim 37 Abandonment

Rabbanit Shani Taragin Dr. Yael Ziegler

The Har HaBayit B’Yadeinu Debate SHOULD WE BE VISITING THE TODAY?

Rabbi and Rabbi Moshe Taragin

Moderated by Rabbi Doron Perez

A Shiur for Home Game: The Power of Tisha B’Av Rachel’s Tears

Gush Katif Rabbi David through the Fohrman Rabbanit Yemima eyes of their With thanks to Mizrachi youth Aleph Beta

VIRTUAL TOUR VIRTUAL TOUR VIRTUAL TOUR Along the Galut Yechonya Herodian: : vs. Tzidkiyahu: From Judean From Glory to Through Desert Palace Destruction Yirmiyahu’s Eyes to Refuge of and Archaeology Judeans

Shulie Mishkin Rabbi Barnea Selavan Eve Harow Preparation Guide

On Tisha B’Av, Jews traditionally recite a series of elegiac poems, known as , after the eveninginot and morning prayers. These poems mourn the kinot destruction of both the First and Second and other trag- Kedies in Jewish history, including the Crusades, the Expulsion of Jews from Spain and the Holocaust. The kinot are recited on the night of Tisha B’Av after reciting the , which was also called “Kinot” in the Talmudic era before it assumed its more familiar name of “Eicha.”

14 | What are the Kinot? tradition, wrote kinot mourning the Some collections of kinot contain As we mourn the destruction of destruction of the Temple in Jerusa- even newer kinot – 20th-century compositions that focus explicitly the Beit HaMikdash on Tisha B’Av, lem and the plight of Israel. Gabirol on the horrors of the Holocaust. Jews customarily gather to recite wrote with a pure kinot – liturgical poems that reflect diction that would become the sig- upon themes of tragedy and loss. nature style of the Spanish school of Kinot are recited aloud and often in Hebrew poets and he popularized Why were the “new” Kinot added? the strict Arabic meter in Hebrew unison as a way of somehow com- In the words of Rabbi Kalonymus poetry, originally introduced by municating with or beseeching G-d, ben Yehuda, the author of Kinah Dunash ben Labrat. and of feeling the spirit of mourn- #25: “Since one may not add a new ing. There are nearly 50 kinot for Eleazar ben Judah (Sefer day of mourning… On Tisha B’Av, Tisha B’Av (customs differ by tra- HaRokeach) wrote a kinah follow- my mourning I will arouse, and I dition – e.g. Ashkenazi v. Sephardi ing the murder of his family during will eulogize and I will wail and I and other differences). The kinot the Crusades. will weep with a soul that is bitter.” are usually referred to either by their number (e.g. Kinah #24) or by In other words, although Tisha B’Av was originally construed as a day of , ֵא ָיכה ָיׁ ְש ָבה .their first few words (e.g What are the Kinot about? “How Is It That It Sits Alone?”). mourning for only the five tragic events listed in the Mishna, Rabbi The most common topic running Kalonymus ben Yehuda sees it as throughout the kinot of Tisha B’Av the “source,” in some sense, of all Who wrote the Kinot? is the destruction of the First and the tragedies that have befallen the Second Temples. The oldest kinot were composed Jewish people throughout history. by Rabbi Elazar HaKalir, who likely There are also kinot that relate to lived in the 6th-7th centuries. His other tragedies as well. The Mish- kinot resemble the structure and nah (Ta’anit 4:6) explains that we How can I connect to the Kinot? content of Megillat Eicha. For fast on Tisha B’Av in commemora- Many of the kinot are written in example, one of his kinot begins tion of five tragic events that took a poetic style that is hard for even He . ֵא ָיכה each stanza with the word place on that day: the decree that native Hebrew speakers to under- often writes stanzas in the alpha- our ancestors should not enter the stand and are full of references to betical acrostic, similar to the first Land, the destruction of both Tem- Tanach, Talmud, and Midrash. To four chapters of Eicha. The style ples, the capture of Betar and the give yourself a better understand- deals primarily with the destruction plowing of Jerusalem. ing of what you are saying, try to of the Second Temple, similar to follow along using a translated Eicha which mourns the destruc- version. Additionally, if you have tion of the First Temple. What are the “new” Kinot? time (whether before Tisha B’av or Rabbi Judah HaLevi completely on the day itself), perhaps choose A whole new wave of kinot were changed the nature of the kinot with a few kinot to truly study in-depth written to commemorate another his compositions. There is no pain to help make the recitation more set of tragedies – the Crusades, or despair over the tragedies of the meaningful. And of course there are describing the violence that medie- distant or near past, but rather a plenty of online shiurim and other val Jews suffered at the hands of the longing for returning to Jerusalem, resources too. Some communities zealous Crusaders making their way -also host people who provide com . ִצ ּיוֹ ן ֲהֹלא ִתׁ ְש ֲא ִלי ,as in his poem to the Holy Land. The events of the mentary in between the different Solomon ibn Gabirol, an 11th-cen- Crusades occurred roughly 1,000 kinot. This year especially, look out tury Andalusian poet and Jewish years after the destruction of the for online educational events on philosopher in the Neoplatonic ancient Temple. Tisha B’Av.

| 15 GLOBAL RELIGIOUS LEADERS

Chief Rabbi David Lau Two Temples, Two Goals

he Gemara (Yoma 9b) However, when the building no G-d’s Home, the symbol of base- says the First Temple was longer served as a source of spiri- less love and unity, intact. Thus the destroyed because of idol tual inspiration for the people – and Temple was destroyed because it Tworship, illicit relations, and blood- they degenerated into the three car- was necessary to shock the people shed. The Second Temple – when dinal sins – there was no reason to again, so they would understand the people did study Torah, keep leave it standing. the evil of their actions, and begin the commandments and do good to gather the fragments to rebuild deeds – was destroyed because of The Second Temple was built with a themselves and their physical and baseless hatred. completely different purpose. Ezra knew, as did the people, that their spiritual unity. The Maharal of Prague is puzzled spiritual level was not as it once Hence the destruction of both Batei by the lack of proportion between was. A few prophets still remained the transgressions in both cases. but the people were beginning to Mikdash, though indeed for dispro- One must not transgress a Torah disperse among the nations. Inter- portionate reasons, served precisely prohibition unless one’s life is in marriage was rife and there was real the same purpose, as was needed at danger. Nevertheless, there are three concern for the physical existence those two particular points in our exceptions (in certain cases), in of the Jewish people, let alone their history. which even if one’s life is in danger, spiritual survival. he is obliged to die rather than Now, in our times, the rebuilding transgress these prohibitions – idol Therefore, the second Beit HaMik- work has begun: “Thus says the worship, illicit relations and murder. dash was not on the same spiritual L-rd G-d: I am taking the Children level as the first. Not only because it of Israel from among the nations Despite the great importance of all lacked five basic elements – like the to which they have gone, and will the commandments between man Ark of the Covenant, for example gather them from every quarter, and his fellow man, baseless hatred – but because this House did not and bring them to their own Land. is not even strictly defined as a merit the same level of inspiration I will make them one nation in Torah prohibition. from the Shechina. the Land... They shall never again The Maharal explains the dispar- Nevertheless, the nation was defile themselves with their idols ity by saying there is a difference happy, because the goal of stop- and their detestable things, or with between the two Batei Mikdash. ping national splintering had been any of their sins... They shall be my The first Beit HaMikdash was built achieved. Everyone would gather in people and I will be their G-d... as a direct continuation of the one place where they would unite Mishkan, the Tabernacle. The pur- as one people, with one spiritual ...I will make a covenant of peace pose of this structure was to make purpose. They would try to perhaps with them, an everlasting covenant us feel close to G-d. The Almighty restore the spiritual level of the with them… and will set my Sanc- does not need a home. He com- former Temple. One spiritual center tuary among them for evermore. manded us to build a Mishkan and a common to those in Zion and to My dwelling-place shall be with Mikdash for our benefit. their exiled brethren in Babylon. them and I will be their G-d, and they shall be My people. Then the After the people came out of Egypt, However, writes the Maharal, when nations shall know that I the L-rd they asked, “Is the L-rd present this Temple too no longer fulfilled sanctify Israel, when My Sanctu- among us or not?” (Shemot 17:7). its purpose, i.e. when hatred and Then G-d tells them, ‘I will give disunity infected the people to the ary is among them for evermore” you a place where you will feel the extent that great Sages sat still and (Yechezkel 37: 21-28). inspiration of the Shechina, and you did not protest the demeaning of May we see this fulfilled speedily in will never ask such a question again’ a Jew (the famous story of Kamtza our days. (Kitri, article 3). The Beit HaMik- and Bar Kamtza) – and when this dash is designed for humans, to help became a common occurrence, Rabbi David Lau is the Ashkenazi Chief them ascend the path of holiness. there was no justification to leave Rabbi of Israel

16 | GLOBAL RELIGIOUS LEADERS

Rabbi Hershel Schachter The Beit HaMikdash as the Center of Limmud HaTorah

Sanhedrin was seated in the lishkat – ְמ ָעֹנה ֱא ֵֹלקי ֶקֶדם ,any have the impression in the passuk that the Beit HaMikdash’s “The abode of G-d immemorial” haGazit in the Beit HaMikdash. In main function is to enable (Devarim 33:27), should be spelled other words, the Beit HaMikdash The Tannaim resolved in its complete form is supposed . ָמ ע וֹ ן or ְמ ָעֹנה ,Mthe offering of korbanot. However the Beit HaMikdash is also the cen- the question by checking the three to house the Chief Rabbinate. This tral location of Torah study. The Sifrei Torah in the azarah of the is because, as the Rambam (Hilchot Gemara (Yoma 52b) tells us that Beit HaMikdash. They determined Mamrim 1:1) explains, the primary towards the end of the First Temple the correct mesorah of the passuk function of the Beit Din HaGadol period, Yoshiyahu HaMelech hid based on the majority, as two of the is to serve as the “international the luchot in a special vault beneath three Sifrei Torah spelled the word ” of Klal Yisrael, to preserve Why was the decision deter- the mesorah of the Torah SheBe’al . ְמ ָעֹנה the Temple Mount, constructed for this purpose by Shlomo HaMel- mined by these Sifrei Torah, and Peh and transmit it to the next ech. The Gemara (53b-54a) brings not by the majority of all the Sifrei generation. a dispute among the Tannaim as to Torah in the world? whether the luchot remained in this We can now understand the intent ְי ִה י ָר צ וֹ ן location during the period of the of the we recite after Shem- Second Beit HaMikdash or whether Why was the decision oneh Esrei, which includes a request they were removed and taken to determined by these for two seemingly unrelated things: ׁ ֶשִיָּבֶנה ֵּבית ַה ִמְקָּדשׁ ִּב ְמ ֵהָרה ְבָי ֵמ ּינו, ְו ֵתן ֶח ְלֵק ּנו ”“ Bavel. The Rambam (Hilchot Beit ְ ּב ת וֹ ָר ֶת ָך Sifrei Torah, and not HaBechira 4:1) cites the first opin- – “that the Holy Temple be rebuilt, speedily in our days, and ion as to the current location of the by the majority of grant us our share in Your Torah.” luchot. all the Sifrei Torah Since the Beit HaMikdash is the pri- Rav Soloveitchik noted that the in the world? mary makom Torah, we ask for our very fact the Rambam rendered portion in Torah together with a a ruling regarding this machloket Apparently, the Sifrei Torah in plea to rebuild the Beit HaMikdash. indicates that he viewed it not the azarah have special halachic While it is true that we have not merely as a historical issue, but status. Only the Sifrei Torah of the been able to begin the building as one with halachic significance. Beit HaMikdash serve the role of of the Beit HaMikdash, we The machloket revolves around maintaining the mesorah of the recognize that preparations for its the question of whether it is text of Torah SheBichtav. Similarly, construction are underway. There possible to have a Beit HaMikdash Midrash Rabbah (Devarim, parasha are certain specific mitzvot that will without the luchot. The accepted 9) teaches that Moshe Rabbeinu, hasten the coming of Mashiach, one opinion maintains that for the who was very concerned about of the most effective of which is Beit HaMikdash to be invested misrepresentation of the Torah, Talmud Torah. The many yeshivot with kedusha, it must function as wrote 13 Sifrei Torah on the day in the , and the fact there is a Mishkan HaEdut, housing the he was to die, one for each of the so much more Torah being learned luchot haEdut. As such, the Second 12 tribes and one to be placed in – Beit HaMikdash, by definition, the Aron. This in the than ever before especially in the must have housed the luchot, Beit HaMikdash would be used to Old City – serve as preparation for albeit in an underground vault. protect the authentic Torah text, the building of the Beit HaMikdash. Thus, the essence of kedushat to disprove anyone who sought to Adapted from Rav Schachter on the haMikdash rested on the fact that falsify it. Moadim. the Torah, in the form of the luchot, always remained within the Beit The Beit HaMikdash was also the HaMikdash. central location of Torah SheBe’al Rabbi Hershel Schachter is Rosh Peh because it was the official and Rosh Kollel at Rabbi Isaac The Sifrei discusses a situation meeting place of the Beit Din Elchanan Theological Seminary of Yeshiva regarding whether the first word HaGadol (Supreme Court). The University

| 17 GLOBAL RELIGIOUS LEADERS

Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks Seven Principles FOR Maintaining Jewish Peoplehood

tarting with the Fast of everything, but then, on most and his brothers when the Torah Tammuz, we begin a period in things, I don’t agree with myself.” says, “They could no longer the Jewish calendar known as speak peaceably together.” The SThe Three Weeks, culminating in Ours is the only civilization I brothers sold Yosef as a slave and the 9th of Av. During this period, know whose canonical texts are yet eventually they all, as well as anthologies of arguments. The we recall the tragedies throughout their grandchildren, ended up in prophets argued with G-d; the history that have befallen the Jewish slavery. The second followed the rabbis argued with one another. people, many of which, according completion of the First Temple. We are a people with strong views to the Sages, were brought about Shlomo died, his son took over, – it is part of who we are. Our as a result of sinat chinam, baseless the kingdom split in two. That was ability to argue, our sheer diversity, hatred and discord between the beginning of the end of both culturally, religiously and in every individual Jews and within the the Northern and the Southern other way, is not a weakness but a Jewish people. Kingdoms. The third was during strength. However when it causes the Roman siege of Jerusalem, Jews are an argumentative people. us to split apart, it becomes terribly when the Jewish men and women We say “The L-rd is my shepherd” dangerous because whilst no empire besieged inside were more focused but no Jew was ever a sheep. I on earth has ever been able to remember once having a dialogue defeat us, we have, on occasions, on fighting one another than the with the late and great Israeli been able to defeat ourselves. enemy outside. Those three splits novelist Amos Oz who began by within the Jewish people caused saying, “I’m not sure I’m going It happened three times. The the three great exiles of the Jewish to agree with Rabbi Sacks on first was in the days of Yosef people.

18 | GLOBAL RELIGIOUS LEADERS

How then do we contain that Principle 4 Remember that this is the ultimate diversity within a single people, Never seek victory basis of Jewish peoplehood. As bound together in fate and in Shimon bar Yochai said, “When destiny? I think there are seven Never ever seek to inflict defeat one Jew is injured, all Jews feel the principles. on your opponents. If you seek to pain.” So that is why we must strive inflict defeat on your opponent, to remember principle six. I don’t Principle 1 they must, by human psychology, need you to agree with me, I just need you to care about me. Keep talking seek to retaliate and inflict defeat on you. The end result is though Principle 7 Remember what the Torah says you win today, you lose tomorrow and everyone loses in the end. Do Remember that G-d ְוֹלא :about Yosef and his brothers They couldn’t speak not think in terms of victory or chose us as a people“ – ָי ְכ ּלו ַ ּד ְּברוֹ ְלׁ ָשֹלם to him in peace.” In other words, defeat. Think in terms of the good Rabbi Yonason Eybeschutz says, had of the Jewish people. G-d did not choose only the they kept speaking, eventually, they righteous, He chose all of us. We Principle 5 would have made peace. So keep stand before G-d as a people, talking to one another. If you seek respect, and it is as a people that we stand before the world. The world does give respect Principle 2 not make distinctions. Antisemites do not make distinctions. We are Listen to one another Remember the principle of the Book of Proverbs: “As water reflects still united by a covenant of shared face to face, so does the heart of memory, shared identity and shared There is good news about the fate, even if we do not share the person to person.” As you behave Jewish people and bad news. The exact same faith. good news is we are amongst the to others, they will behave to you. If you show contempt for other Jews, greatest speakers in the world. The Sages said a very striking thing. they will show contempt to you. If The bad news is we are among the They said, “Great is peace because you respect other Jews, they will even if Israel is worshipping idols ׁ ְש ַמע ִי ְשָׂר ֵאל .world’s worst listeners show respect to you. calls on us to listen to one another and there is peace among them, G-d in a way that we can actually hear will never allow harm to happen to Principle 6 them.” That is a powerful idea to what our opponent is saying. If we reflect upon. do this, we discover it is not just a You can disagree, powerful way to avoid conflict, but but still care So the next time you are tempted to profoundly therapeutic as well. criticize another Jew or walk away Jews will never agree on every- from a group of Jews you think Principle 3 thing, but we remain one extended have offended you, make that extra family. If you disagree with a friend, Work to understand those effort to stay together, to forgive, to tomorrow they may no longer be listen, to try and unite, because if with whom you disagree your friend. But if you disagree G-d loves each of us, can we justify with your family, tomorrow they are failing to strive to do this too? Remember why the law follows still your family. In the end, family Hillel rather than Shammai. is what keeps us together, and that According to the Talmud, Hillel was is expressed best in the principle All Jews are – ָּכל ִי ְשָׂרֵאל ֲעֵרִבים ֶזה ָּבֶזה humble and modest; he taught the views of his opponents even before responsible for one another. Ulti- his own. He labored to understand mately, I do not need you to agree Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks is Emeritus the point of view with which he with me, I just need you to care Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congre- disagreed. about me. gations of the Commonwealth

| 19 GLOBAL RELIGIOUS LEADERS

Chief Rabbi Dr. Warren Goldstein A journey through Judaism's The Power most controversialR2 issues... of Hope OUT isha B’Av is not just a day awareness and presence of G-d – thing. To build a better today, we Explore intriguing of mourning. It’s a day of a time of unimaginable clarity in need to hope for a better tomorrow. yearning. which all the secrets of the Torah NOW topics such as: would be revealed. The Rambam5 We are living through difficult T 1 The Gemara relates that when we says it will be a time in which G-d’s times. Our world has been upended • How leave this world, we stand before presence is manifest, and because of by an invisible virus. Livelihoods guides Torah interpretation our Creator and are asked a number this, there will be no war or jealousy have been compromised, shuls and of questions about the way we lived or hatred or competition, and there schools have been shuttered, lives • Can Jewish tradition combat ִצ ִּפ ָית ִלישׁ ּו ָעה :our life. One of them is will be incredible abundance and have been lost. These are times that Bible criticism? – “Did you long for redemption?” joy and prosperity and peace. cry out for hope. It’s not easy – but it is especially during times like We are not asked simply whether we This is the redemption we long for. these that we need to be hopeful • Divine providence and the believed in the final Redemption,2 A time when, due to the miraculous and optimistic; to long for an end existence of evil but whether we longed for it. The abundance and peace and universal to suffering and for the dawn of Chafetz Chaim3 explains that the goodwill, we will be able to devote something better and brighter. • The origin and development ourselves fully to spiritual pursuits , צ וֹ ָפ ה is from the root of ִצ ִּפ ָית word which means to look and to hope; and especially the learning of Torah. Even Tisha B’Av – our time of of the oral tradition like when you are waiting for A time when “the whole world will mourning – is also our time of someone to arrive and you keep be filled with the knowledge of G-d yearning, our time of hope. It is a • Rabbinic law vs. the spirit of 6 looking down the road, wondering as the waters that cover the sea.” day we don’t say the supplication halachah when they are coming. This is what of the Tachanun prayer, as a sign .This is what we are yearning for ּ is asking: did we want of the hope within our sorrow. We • Rambam's Judaism in a ִצ ִפ ָית ִלישׁ ּו ָעה the final Redemption? Did we look We look around the world now and yearn for redemption, we wait in post-Aristotelian world out towards the horizon waiting G-d’s presence is hidden; many eager anticipation and expectation for it to happen? Did we yearn for people even deny G-d’s existence for a better tomorrow – we pray it? Did we keep looking down the altogether. There is a sense that to G-d that our pain and sorrow road, anxiously awaiting the arrival things should be better. There is be transformed into blessing and of Mashiach? a lack of appreciation for faith celebration. We yearn for a time and truth. What we long for is when the entire world will be filled “A remarkable newSAMPLES philosophical approach to Torah and Jewish a time when G-d’s presence is with G-d’s presence and suffering faith, outstanding in its erudition… thoroughly engaging… Did we look out manifest, when there’s no more will come to an end – “and G-d will “” towards the pain or suffering, no more conflict, wipe away tears from all faces.”8 This is the work of a major new talent in Jewish thought.” horizon waiting confusion or disease. We long for a better world. This is what Tisha for it to happen? B’Av is about: being able to sit down 1 Shabbat 31a. Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, Former Chief Rabbi of the UK on the floor and mourn; being able 2 Enumerated by the Rambam as one of to feel the pain and long for things the Thirteen Principles of Faith in his What are we yearning for? The commentary to Mishna, 10:1 to be different, for the world to be Rambam4 says the great sages (Principle 12); Hilchot Melachim 11:1. better. But this yearning is not just and prophets throughout the 3 Tzipita LiYeshuah, Chapter 3. about mourning. It is about hope. “Sophisticated discussion of many controversial philosophical generations longed for the days 4 Hilchot Melachim 12:4. of Mashiach and anticipated the Three times a day, we say in Aleinu: 5 Ibid 12:5. and theological topics...sorely needed in this generation” . See 11:9 and Habakkuk 2:14 Therefore, we 6“ – ַעל ֵּכן ְנַקֶּוה ְלָך ה' time of the ultimate redemption not because they wanted us to be place our hope in You, G-d.” The 7 Tzipita LiYeshuah, Chapter 3. raised above the other nations, and Chafetz Chaim7 comments on these 8 Isaiah 25:8; Moed Katan 28b; Sanhedrin Rav Zev Leff, Rav/ in Moshav Matityahu

certainly not in order to indulge words that believing in redemption 91b. design: rivkahwolfson.com in material prosperity and ease. gives a person hope, which is the Rather, they looked forward, most powerful motivation to do Rabbi Dr. Warren Goldstein is the Chief www.JudaismReclaimed.com fervently, to a world filled with the good in the world – to do the right Rabbi of South Africa USA: Available on Amazon and at Jewish bookstores. ISRAEL: On sale at Pomeranz Bookseller, 5 Be'eri St. Jerusalem. 20 | POMERANZ Order at: 02-623-5559 ~ [email protected] Bookseller GLOBAL RELIGIOUS LEADERS A journey through Judaism's most controversialR2 issues...

OUT Explore intriguing NOW topics such as: • How Jewish philosophy guides Torah interpretation • Can Jewish tradition combat Bible criticism? • Divine providence and the existence of evil • The origin and development of the oral tradition • Rabbinic law vs. the spirit of halachah • Rambam's Judaism in a post-Aristotelian world

“A remarkable newSAMPLES philosophical approach to Torah and Jewish faith, outstanding in its erudition… thoroughly engaging… This is the work of a major new talent in Jewish thought.”

Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, Former Chief Rabbi of the UK

“Sophisticated discussion of many controversial philosophical and theological topics...sorely needed in this generation”

Rav Zev Leff, Rav/Rosh Yeshiva in Moshav Matityahu design: rivkahwolfson.com www.JudaismReclaimed.com

USA: Available on Amazon and at Jewish bookstores. ISRAEL: On sale at Pomeranz Bookseller, 5 Be'eri St. Jerusalem. POMERANZ | 21 Order at: 02-623-5559 ~ [email protected] Bookseller WOMEN’S VOICES

Rabbanit Yemima Mizrachi

Don’t Forget that You Forgot!

en-Zion, my beloved son, got One of the signs of the coming of You’re finding it hard to make ends .And meet? At least you have your health“ – ַו ְּת ִהי ָה ֱא ֶמת ֶנ ְעֶּדֶרת married just before the Three Mashiach is Weeks. Before the wedding, Truth will be lacking,” i.e. not pres- Not now though. Not at this time of שׁ ֶ ַ ּ נ ֲ ע ֵ ׂש י ת I went to my mother, and placed ent. Chazal say this means נ וֹ ָר א B -that it has become the year. Now we say: ! It is ter“ – ֲע ָדִרים ֲע ָדִרים an invitation on the bed my father used to sleep on – and I couldn’t flocks upon flocks” (Sanhedrin rible! And G-d is Awesome! help it... but then I burst into tears 97a). The difference is huge: some- And that is why our Sages did and became so angry with myself. נ וֹ ָר א thing that is no longer here will be indeed reinstate the epithet Isn’t Mother’s grief enough – must forgotten, but if we understand into our prayers. Precisely in the I add to it? Yet to my surprise, after that it (Truth) is actually still here, place where His crown fell, so to many , I suddenly saw my just broken into pieces, and we will speak, G-d asks that we restore it, noble mother so calm and relaxed. gather together (flocks upon flocks) that we remember our Father as And she said to me, “At last, I see in peace, we will discover it. He was in the Palace. We shouldn’t I’m not the only one missing him.” In other words, if you don’t know walk past His desolate House and ֹלא נוֹ ָרא A dear student of mine has a father how to yearn for the Mikdash, if say , it’s not so bad. with Alzheimer’s, whom she cares you’ve forgotten what we’re yearn- We should remember that we have for with endless devotion. I con- ing for… yearn for each other. forgotten. stantly remind her of a different That will be sufficient, for when Ben-Zion’s chupa was a different ָרֵחל ָּבָאה ִעם ַהּצֹאן ,type of forgetfulness she may be the flocks gather stricken by: “Don’t forget your – “Rachel comes with the sheep.” type of chupa, a Corona chupa. Dad as he was! Don’t drown in the Rachel Imeinu doesn’t need us to Without the elderly, without grand- depressing chores and forget about remember her; all she wants is that parents. And just like the inaugura- the glorious father you once had!” I her children return to their borders. tion of the Second Beit HaMikdash, know that it is only because of the when the young men rejoiced, the When the Beit HaMikdash was memory of “that” father, she is able old men, remembering the real joy, destroyed, our enemies placed an to continue the arduous treatment stood and wept. of “this” father. Memory is not a idol in the Sanctuary. “Yirmiyahu liter- But with a magnificent view of the) נ וֹ ָר א commemoration of what was but stood and did not say can Temple Mount, as everyone sang נ וֹ ָר א the eternity that awaits us if only we ally G-d is awesome, but ְ ,If I forget you“ – ִאם ֶאׁ ְש ָּכ ֵחך ְי ּרוׁ ָש ַלִים do not forget. also mean terrible).” In a situation in which G-d’s awesomeness was O Jerusalem...” I gazed into the dis- As I passed the Prime Minister’s now absent, Yirmiyahu was not able tance and saw Mother, smiling and ּב ִואי at the start of tearful. She was singing with us נ וֹ ָר א House, I saw the tortured expres- to say the word ְבׁ ָשלום ֲע ֶטֶרת ַּב ְע ָל ּה ָה ֵאל ַה ָּגדֹל ַה ִּג ּבֹר – sion on the face of Leah Goldin, the Amidah prayer 1 – “crown of her husband, enter in peace.” The crown . ְו ַה ּנ וֹ ָר א Hadar Goldin’s mother, sitting under her son’s picture. Hundreds had been returned to her head. of cars passed her, some honking at When you omit the word ‘terri- She remembered that we ֹלא her in solidarity. ble’ you are essentially saying .it’s not so terrible. There’s no remembered – נ וֹ ָר א -My rela .ֹלא נוֹ ָרא ?By her silent demonstration, it was Temple anymore as if she was saying, even if you tionship with my children is cold ֶנ ֱה ָדר Hadar was an Israeli soldier killed and Hundreds of 1 .ֹלא נוֹ ָרא ?don’t remember how (wonder- and distant ful) he was, remember at least that thousands are sick with Corona? It captured by Hamas during Operation missing). Please, at least Protective Edge in 2014. His body has not) ֶנ ְע ַ ּדר he is .been returned to Israel .ֹלא נוֹ ָרא .happens don’t forget that you’ve forgotten. On your way to work/home/shops, Yes, all year round I preach com- drive past me and remember: we’ve fort: your relationship is difficult? Rabbanit Yemima Mizrachi is a popular forgotten. Take comfort in your children. Israeli teacher, speaker and writer

22 | WOMEN’S VOICES

Mrs. Shira Smiles COMING CLOSER hile Tisha B’Av is a day bereft of giving. I will go, says G-d, Yisrael. “How can you say I have of mourning for the to the innermost chambers to cry, not become impure, I have not destruction of both Batei where even you, the archangel, are followed Ba’al,” admonishes the WMikdash, it is referred to in our holy forbidden to enter. I will go into the prophet, when the evidence is right writings as a moed, a holiday. How hearts of every one of My people. there. It is for this abnegation of could a day of such sadness and Perhaps they will again recognize responsibility, of “I have not sinned” tears, when G-d’s Presence left its My Presence within the sanctuary that G-d is punishing Bnei Yisrael earthly abode and became distant of their hearts and return to Me and Jerusalem. With the destruction from us, be designated a holiday? with love as I stay with them. of the Beit HaMikdash, the eyes of Bnei Yisrael opened up and they The Siftei Chaim teaches us that This is HaKadosh Baruch Hu’s cry, realized the extent of their sins. once G-d removed His Presence echoed in the first word of Megillat They had not yet re-established the איכה from the Beit HaMikdash and Eicha. cried, “ ָ ֵ – how closeness with HaKadosh Baruch the enemy burned it down, His is it possible…” and G-d cries out, Hu, but at least they could now ּ ּ Where acknowledge their responsibility – ַא ֶי ָכה“ ,Presence was no longer openly as He did to Adam manifest in the world. The Beit are you.” Where are you? Where is in creating the distance from Him HaMikdash devoid of G-d’s your heart? Are you searching for and yearn for the repair of the Presence remained an edifice of the connection to your Maker? Are relationship. This awakening alone mere stone and mortar. As such, you a conduit for G-d’s blessings to merited celebration as a holiday. our awareness of His Presence in flow down to Earth? When we hear our lives became dimmed. It’s as if Eicha on Tisha B’Av, we should be Our problem today is we don’t We should realize what we are missing. Even ? ַא ֶּי ָּכה the clouds descended to obscure asking ourselves the sunlight. The sunlight of be asking ourselves why we have the mitzvot we do, we do more G-d’s Providence was still here, left Torah, and how we can facilitate through habit than as a means of but we could not recognize it. All kiruv, and approach a closeness to facilitating G-d’s renewed open of Creation felt the distancing of G-d again. We should recognize the Presence on earth. Our perspective G-d’s Presence. While Bnei Yisrael intrinsic loss, and not just the trials in our daily life should be greater cried by the waters of Babylon, G-d and travails that Galut has brought than performing the letter of the Himself also cried. upon us. law. We should be focused on making G-d’s Presence manifest The Siftei Chaim continues. An The Netivot Shalom uses this idea to in the world again, as it was in archangel then approached G-d and understand why the Megillah says the time of the Temple, by using suggested that he cry and not G-d, this day will be called a holiday. He our words and actions to this end for he is the angel responsible for explains that besides closeness and rather than for rote observance. the manifestation of G-d’s Presence distance, there is another kind of Even seemingly mundane tasks, in the world as a result of Bnei relationship: the worst level is when like earning a living, caring for our Yisrael’s good deeds. Bnei Yisrael you think you’re close and don’t children, can be viewed as doing were at fault for no longer being the even recognize that the relationship G-d’s work on Earth and bringing recipient of G-d’s beneficence, not has deteriorated or non-existent. His Presence closer. Our fast on G-d. But G-d responds that He too When you rationalize your evil, Tisha B’Av should arouse this needs to cry, for there is a vacuum sinful or abusive actions into the yearning within us. and desecration in G-d’s Presence belief they are in fact righteous and on Earth. He cannot rain down beneficial. blessings of goodness because Bnei Mrs. Shira Smiles is a sought-after Yisrael has destroyed the tools that The Siftei Chaim cites the prophet international lecturer, a popular seminary bring the closeness of HaKadosh Jeremiah in showing that this teacher, and an experienced curriculum Baruch Hu to Creation, and He is mindset had corrupted Bnei developer

| 23 WOMEN’S VOICES

Mrs. Michal Horowitz

Our Eternal Survival

e always read Parashat instead of pursuing the real debtor, “... He wept, of course. And my Devarim on the Shabbat the Jewish people. Paradoxically, mother wept… Nevertheless, his before Tisha B’Av. once He took away the Beit faith in the eventual downfall of the W HaMikdash in the afternoon of tyrant never wavered, and anyone Why the juxtaposition of Devarim Tisha B’Av, the nechama, the who came in contact with him was to Tisha B’Av? In perek alef, Moshe consolation, could begin. Tisha infused with his contagious emunah recalls the sin of the spies, who B’Av is a day of limitless despair and and bitachon – his unshakable faith went up to scout out the Land of boundless hope and faith” (Kinot in the yeshua (Divine salvation).” Israel (Bamidbar 13), and came Masoret HaRav, p.283). back with a slanderous report. In “... On the day I arrived in America, response to their report, the nation a paper printed an article sat and wept that night (Bamidbar When I was smuggled mentioning my father’s name as one 14:1). out of the Warsaw of the heroes of the Warsaw Ghetto “” uprising. Did my father die a hero’s Chazal teach that in response to Ghetto, his parting death? Maybe. He was involved in their crying for naught, G-d said: words to me were, some underground activities from you have cried for no reason, I early on, but I was not present at will establish for you a crying for ‘Who knows when we the end, so I can never know for generations (Ta’anit 29a). That shall meet again… sure. This much though, I do know: night of crying was the very first You should remember that my father, like thousands of Tisha B’Av, which foreshadowed others, lived a hero’s life. Every destruction through the ages. to always be a Jew’ day of Father’s life was filled to overflowing with heroic deeds of In Megillat Eicha (4:11), we read: Reb Yossele Friedenson recalls, “I chesed and ma’asim tovim, of high- “G-d has accomplished His fury, He am not sure if Father expected that risk communal involvement, of has poured out His fierce anger; and he, personally, would survive the tzedaka, hachnasat orchim, and He has kindled a fire in Zion, which war. When I was smuggled out of bitachon – unbreakable links in an has devoured her foundations.” the (Warsaw) ghetto on December eternal chain of valor and heroism” Chazal teach (Eicha Rabbah 4:14) 31, 1941, his parting words to me (Faith Amid the Flames, p.123-124). that in an act of Divine Rachamim were, ‘Who knows when we shall (Mercy), Churban Beit HaMikdash, May we merit to see our destroyed ensured the eternal survival meet again… You should remember places rebuilt and witness the of Yisrael. Instead of to always be a Jew. You should have return of our people to our Land, destroying the nation, the Almighty bitachon (trust in G-d) no matter with the ultimate redemption. But destroyed our holy places and what happens, and always keep your until that great day, may we take our Land… but promised that our emunah (faith) intact. Even though comfort in knowing that our great people would always survive. we may never see each other again, nation is eternal, and has survived Klal Yisrael will always be there and flourished despite every enemy, Rav Soloveitchik: “Paradoxically, and G-d won’t forsake Klal Yisrael. every churban, every calamity and ּ .and eternal every exile – ְו ַחֵיי עוֹ ָלם ָנ ַטע ְּבתוֹ ֵכ ּנו the moment the Beit HaMikdash was set ablaze was a moment of life is implanted within us. G-d has relief. At that moment, it became assured us He will never allow the clear that G-d decided to take the annihilation of the Jews and the Mrs. Michal Horowitz teaches Judaic collateral, the Beit HaMikdash, Jewish people.” Studies classes to adults of all ages

24 | WOMEN’S VOICES ִאם ֶאׁ ְש ָּכ ֵח ְך ְי ּרוׁ ָש ַל ִים

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OUR SERIES ON LEADERS WHO HAVE SHAPED RELIGIOUS OVER THE LAST 150 YEARS

Rabbi Ben-Zion Meir Hai Uziel s his name ‘Ben-Zion’ or ‘son time, the realities of the moment traveled to Iraq and the United of Zion’ states, Rabbi Uziel were his major concern. While States to generate interest in aliya was born in Jerusalem in serving as the Rabbi of Salonika, and financial support for the A1880, the newest member of a very Greece for three years (a post he . He also served as a Mizrachi prestigious Sephardi family. His accepted temporarily and with the delegate to the Zionist Congress father, Joseph Raphael, was the Av permission of the Jaffa community), from 1925-46. He was a prolific Beit Din of the Sephardi community he was able to set up a system of writer. Regarding the Redemption in Jerusalem. Following in his Talmud and yeshivot. It is of Israel he wrote: father’s footsteps, by the age of 20, said that during his leadership, the Ben-Zion Uziel was teaching at the community was completely devoted “We all desire that the ingathering Tiferet Yerushalayim Yeshiva and to keeping Shabbat and . of the exiles should take place helped found the Machzikei Torah from all areas where they have Yeshiva for Sephardim. been scattered; and that our holy language will be upon our lips and In 1911, Rabbi Uziel was upon the lips of our children, in appointed ‘Chacham Bashi’ of the building the Land and its flowering Sephardi community in Jaffa and through the hands and work of immediately attempted to improve Israel; and we will all strive to see the community functions, raising the flag of freedom and redemption the status of the community in the waving in glory and strength eyes of the rest of the Yishuv. Here upon the walls of Jerusalem. But he became friendly with Rav Kook we cannot agree with those who and together they worked for better view the buying of land as a final inter-communal relations between objective. Such purchases serve as Ashkenazim and Sephardim. He the first step in the clothing of the set up yeshivot, improved the soul of life and the Torah of the Beit Din and helped build various nation and for this, we must strive… community centers. Those who say that the laws of During World War I, he worked our Torah have become useless, tirelessly for the protection of the antiquated relics and its values have rights of the Jews in Eretz Yisrael. outlived their purpose are gravely He was exiled to Damascus along Upon returning to Israel, he became mistaken. For we know with clear with the rest of the community by the Chief Rabbi of and and true knowledge that the laws the Turkish rulers in 1917 but was in 1939, Chief Sephardi Rabbi of of G-d are truth and each day they allowed to return before the coming Eretz Yisrael. In this capacity, he are as new as the day they were of the British. In 1920 he joined the represented his community to the given at Mount Sinai, and all human Mizrachi Movement and worked on British Mandatory Government. enlightenment until our present day behalf of Mizrachi and the Sephardi communities in Eretz Yisrael and in Rabbi Ben-Zion Meir Hai Uziel has not succeeded in revealing and the Diaspora until his death. was responsible for founding the reaching the level of moral justice Sha’ar Zion Yeshiva and had a hand in society as well as in the family, Rabbi Uziel’s travels took him to in the beginning of the Porat Yosef nor the same level of righteousness many countries where he sought Yeshivot, which now exist in many of the Torah of Israel, whose ways to persuade the Jews to come cities of Eretz Yisrael. As a member are ways of pleasantness and all her to Israel. However, at the same of the Mizrachi Movement, he paths are peace.” 

26 | PLACES IN ISRAEL AM, ERETZ, TORAH

Rivi Frankel Jerusalem PAST AND FUTURE

n Tisha B’Av, we commem- your gods, O Yehuda” (Yirmiyahu looks, one can see the fulfillment of orate the destruction of the 11:13). As Chazal tell us in Men- positive prophecies alongside the Beit HaMikdash by reading achot 13:22, “Why was the First testimony of destruction. Ofirsthand accounts of that terrible Temple in Jerusalem destroyed? day, along with other calamities that Because of idolatry, sexual immo- Batei Machaseh Square is a great befell the Jewish people throughout rality and bloodshed.” example. In the square is the base of the generations. a column the Romans transported The ruins of Jerusalem do not just from Har HaBayit after ransack- Despite the First Beit Hamik- tell the story of the destruction of ing the Temple. Across from the dash having been destroyed over the first Beit HaMikdash. Slightly column is a quote from Zecharia 2,600 years ago, and the Second north of Ir David is the remainder HaNavi, graffitied by a defender of almost 2,000 years ago, signs of the of a market built just prior to the Jerusalem in 1948, as he was being destruction still remain in Jerusa- Roman destruction of the Second led out of the city by the Jorda- lem today – physical pieces of his- Temple in the year 70 CE. nians. Made permanent after the tory that stand witness to our tre- reunification of Jerusalem in 1967, At the corner of the southern and mendous loss. the quote reads, “So said the L-rd western walls, visitors to the David- of hosts: There shall yet old men When Nebuchadnezzar conquered son Center can see what is left of and old women sit in the streets of Jerusalem in 586 B.C.E, it was not the market street, including mul- Jerusalem, every man with his staff enough for him to burn just the tiple stalls, as well as Robinson’s in his hand for every age. And the Temple. His army, led by Nevuzra- Arch, a large archway that sup- streets of the city shall be full of dan, lit the whole city ablaze. In Ir ported one of the staircases leading boys and girls playing in the street” David (the ), in what up to the Temple Mount plaza. has become known as “Area G,” you (Zecharia 8:4-5). can see a layer of ash from the fire Large piles of hewn stone, once part In the shadow of these two remind- that burnt down the royal admin- of administrative buildings on Har ers of our past and future, you can istration building near the top of HaBayit, lie in the street. Having see children playing, along with vis- the city. In one section of the area, been toppled by the Romans, these itors young and old. appropriately called the “Burnt rocks destroyed the market street Room,” the house collapsed inward below, turning a once-bustling dis- While the city is filled with scars after being set on fire. Beneath the trict into a desolate ruin. Similar to from our painful past, it is up to us rubble is a pile of charred debris the Burnt Room in Ir David, some to uncover the beauty of our bright almost one meter high. of the rocks are marked with black future. May we be zoche to see the soot from the fire that destroyed In these ruins, as well as elsewhere coming of Mashiach and the build- the Beit HaMikdash. in Ir David, archaeologists found ing of the Third Beit HaMikdash, speedily in our days. nearly 1,500 clay idol figurines This devastation can also be seen dating to the period of Yehuda’s set- in the private homes uncovered in tlement in the city. In every single what is today called the Herodian excavated building in Ir David, Quarter Museum and the Burnt archaeologists have found signs House. of idol worship. These finds echo Yirmiyahu’s repeated attempts to However, Jerusalem does not only Rivi Frankel is a tour guide in Israel rally the people and pull them away bear witness to the destruction and working with individuals and groups from from avodah zarah. “For according exile of the Jews; it also holds the all backgrounds, and particularly with to the number of your cities are key to their future. Everywhere one children and teens

| 27 AM, ERETZ, TORAH RAV KOOK’S TEACHINGS

Rabbi Chanan Morrison Teachers Armed with Spiritual Might

he three weeks between the traditional Jewish norms common This is not a generation of petti- fasts of the 17th of Tammuz in his day. Unlike the prevalent out- ness, but one of greatness and high and the 9th of Av is a time look of other Rabbis, who attributed ideals. The only way to reach out to Tof mourning for the Jewish people. the phenomenon of secularization such a generation is through spiri- These days recall the calamities that to hedonism and a lack of integrity, tual greatness.” befell us during this time – exile Rav Kook viewed matters in a radi- from the , destruc- cally different way. He presented his Path of Pleasantness tion of Jerusalem and the Temple. It analysis in one of his most import- A careful analysis of the wording in is referred to as Bein HaMetzarim, ant essays, Ma’amar HaDor (“The Rav Kook’s adage reveals an addi- a time when the Jewish people are Generation.”) There he wrote: “Between the Straits.” tional insight. The phrase “beating “Our generation is an amazing, rod” does not appear in the legal The Shulchan Aruch brings down wondrous phenomenon. It is diffi- code of the Shulchan Aruch. Rather, a curious custom for the Three cult to find a similar instance in all this phrase comes from a Talmudic Weeks: teachers should not strike statement in Sanhedrin 24a, where of our history – a generation com- their students during this time. Not the Sages contrasted the Torah posed of contradictions, a mixture that teachers are encouraged to scholars of the Land of Israel with of light and darkness. hit students during the rest of the those living in Babylon. year either, but during these Three It is precisely the nation’s greatness Weeks, they should be especially The Babylonian scholars were sharp that has brought about its spiri- and caustic in their legal debates. careful to avoid punishing stu- tual decline. This generation finds dents. This custom is apparently the Their method of Torah study was that all it hears and sees from par- source for Rav Kook’s dictum for often like a “beating rod” – sharp ents and teachers is beneath it. the month of Tammuz: and unpleasant. The morals [of the previous gen- “The nation is redeemed from eration] fail to capture their hearts The scholars of Eretz Yisrael, on the ‘Between the Straits’ [the Three and quench their thirst. They fail other hand, would gently correct Weeks] through teachers who are to instill fear and trepidation. This one another. Their gracious method armed with spiritual might, who do generation has already risen beyond of study was characterized as one not require a beating rod.” the stage when one runs away due of noam, pleasantness and mutual to fear, real or imagined, physical or respect. Rav Kook took a curious custom spiritual. and transformed it into something In short, a successful educational approach for this unique era of much greater – a motto for how we Great persecutions and upheavals redemption must embrace two must educate in an era of national have made them tough and intrepid. qualities: rebirth. This generation cannot be Fear and threats cannot move them. subdued with rods; it cannot be They will only rise and follow a It must contain a spiritual great- coerced with threats of punishment path of life that is lofty and enlight- ness that will inspire an idealistic in this world or the next. We can ened. Even if they wanted to, they generation. only reach them, Rav Kook taught, cannot be bowed and bent, saddled with love and spiritual greatness. It must follow the pleasant path of with burdens and yokes... They A generation in spiritual distress the gentle scholars of Eretz Yisrael, cannot be motivated to return [to – “between the straits” – must be who have no need to resort to the traditional Judaism] through fear. inspired by teachers armed with harsh and strident methods of their But they are very much capable broad spirits and lofty vision. colleagues in the Exile. of returning through love – a love Adapted from Moadei HaRe’iyah. A Generation of High Ideals bound to lofty awe... A great-spir- ited generation seeks and must Rav Kook thought deeply about the seek, in every direction that it Rabbi Chanan Morrison is the author of widespread rejection of religion and turns, great ideals. several books on Rav Kook's writings

28 | Background illustration of Rav Kook courtesy of www.gedolimcanvas.com AM, ERETZ, TORAH Write it Down... Before it’s Too Late

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| 29 AM, ERETZ, TORAH ISRAEL INSIGHT

Daniel S. Mariaschin Media Bias Against Israel Where to Begin?

he media’s treatment of The first patients don’t come until picnicking families and ice cream Israel has been among the 5:39 PM. They crowd around the vendors. Even after a Hamas offi- Jewish State’s most vexing ambulance, choking on tear gas. cial boasted that more than 50 of Tchallenges. Most major media orga- Israeli soldiers, just a few hundred those declared dead in the demon- nizations have reporters based in yards away on the other side of the strations were Hamas operatives, Israel, an open society that affords boundary fence, had fired a volley of most media organizations went journalists – domestic and foreign – hissing canisters at the protesters. with their “mostly peaceful protest” access to policymakers, the military, stories, rarely mentioning the rev- The article includes an interview and the general citizenry. Israel, elation about the 50, and playing with a Palestinian paramedic, the West Bank, and Gaza are, glob- down Hamas’ central role in the which included the following – not ally speaking, a very confined area. whole affair, including the torching a quote, but the reporter’s own When conflicts arise, hundreds of of Israeli farmland and nature pre- paraphrase of the interviewee: “It additional journalists flock to Israel serves by fiery kites and balloons. doesn’t compare to the stress of the and rush to the border, sending back 2014 war, though, when he spent Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran publicly reports on the fighting in real-time. his days in the ambulance worrying call for and seek Israel’s destruction. It should be no mystery to reporters about his family’s safety as Gaza Terrorists can strike anytime at based in Israel that the Jewish State came under heavy bombardment Israelis, ramming pedestrians with faces implacable enemies. And yet from Israel and Hamas fired rockets cars and bulldozers, stabbing people that message rarely gets through. If b a c k .” on the street, or attempting to kidnap civilians and soldiers. Isra- it does, it’s done grudgingly. Sim- Wait a minute: wasn’t it Hamas el’s right to defend itself and be at plistic explanations abound, includ- that fired the rockets into Israel ing the “Palestinians as David, the first, and then Israel that defended peace with its neighbors should not Israelis as Goliath” underdog argu- itself with airstrikes against Hamas be in question. But many journalists ment, which translates into “under- targets? don’t report it that way, choosing standing” of violent “resistance many times to give those who seek to the occupation.” Or maybe the Playing fast and loose with hear- to destroy Israel a free pass. media organizations that the report- say and unsubstantiated charges It is our right to call out those who ers represent hew to an ideological was rife during the Friday protests engage in advancing a tainted nar- viewpoint – which just happens in Gaza. Casualty numbers were attributed to “Gaza health officials.” rative and set the record straight to be identical to those writing or – sometimes multiple times a day broadcasting the stories themselves. Let’s consider an egregious example – when the media does not present The editors and the headline writers of bias, carried by multiple media the full picture. back home, far removed from the organizations: the case of Layla This opinion piece is adapted from an action, seal the deal by summarizing Ghandour, the Palestinian baby said article appearing in The Algemeiner in already biased stories. by the press to have died from tear August 2018. gas inhalation during the demon- The early summer demonstra- strations. It was later reported that tions in Gaza last year produced a the baby had actually died due to Washington Post story headlined a heart condition and Hamas had “A day of gas inside a Gaza ambu- paid the family to lie about the cir- lance,” which focused on Palestinian cumstances. Try to find more than medics who treated the wounded a few “clarifications” of this story, in near the border fence separating print or on the air. You won’t. Daniel S. Mariaschin has spent nearly Gaza from Israel. The opening lines all of his professional life working on in this seven-paragraph story tell For days, the press reported on behalf of Jewish organizations and is you immediately, without reading the carnival-like atmosphere of the Chief Executive Officer of B’nai B’rith further, where this story is going: the demonstrations, mentioning International

30 | WHAT’S IN A WORD AM, ERETZ, TORAH

Daniel S. Mariaschin David Curwin Tzom and Ta’anit

ebrew has two words that an interesting pattern, where many B’Av is known as bein hametzarim literally, “between the – ֵּבין ַה ְּמ ָצִרים -both mean fast (abstaining words that begin with the two let mean “to draw together, straits.” The origin of the phrase is צ-מ and ters צ וֹ ם ,from food): tzom ָּכל ְרֹד ֶפ ָיה ִה ִּשׂ ּיגו ָה ֵּבין :in from Eichah 1:3) צ וֹ ם What is the differ- to contract.” In addition to . ַּת ֲע ִנית ,Hta’anit All her pursuers overtook“ , ַה ְּמ ָצִרים ence between them? The primary which one restrains oneself), and ”.where the tongue and throat her in the narrow places) ַצ ָּמא is a biblical צ וֹ ם difference is that word (appearing 26 times in Nevi’im contract from lack of water), here and , although never in are a few others: The word for “narrow places, Others . ֵמ ַצר ,is primarily straits” is meitzar ַּת ֲע ִנית the Torah), and ָצ ַמד • found in Rabbinic Hebrew (it does – to join, couple. From here translate the phrase as “when she ֶצ ֶמד appear once in the Bible – Ezra 9:5). we get the words tzemed, – was in distress.” Both meanings ָצ ִמיד to be“ – צ-ר-ר pair, and tzamid, – brace- derive from the root let, something “bound on the does derive from distress.” A third opinion is that the ַּת ֲע ִנית ,However w r i s t .” or the related word means “border.” According to) ָע ָנה :a Biblical root ע-נ-י tzamah – lock or braid this understanding, whenever the , ַצ ָּמה • root ). That verb is the root of the word used to command of hair, also a veil. The hair is Jews would flee to the border, their ְו ִע ִּנ ֶיתם us to fast on Yom Kippur: drawn together. neighbors would hand them over to ֶאת ַנ ְפשׁ ֵֹת ֶיכם (Vayikra 16:31). That their enemies. -to press, reduce, con – ִצ ְמ ֵצם • phrase literally means “you shall ”meaning “border, boundary ֶמ ֶצר afflict your souls.” Yet, the sense of tract. From here, Rashi coined is also possibly an origin of the – ִצ ְמ ּצום ,fasting is clear from the context, the word tzimtzum -restriction, limitation, which Hebrew word for Egypt – Mitz צ וֹ ם and is also found in parallel to Egypt was divided . ִמ ְצַר ִים ,was later adopted by the rayim ָל ָּמה ַּצ ְמ ּנו :in another Biblical verse Why, when we . into two lands – Upper and Lower“ ,ְוֹלא ָר ִא ָית ִע ִּנ ּינו ַנ ְפשׁ ֵ נוּ fasted, did You not see? When we Egypt (which can explain the plural ָצ ַמק • afflicted our souls, did You pay no – to shrink, shrivel. Raisins tzimukim. form, with the suffix -im). And , ִצ ּמ ּו ִקים in Hebrew are heed?” (Yeshayahu 58:3) why was Egypt referred to with the ָצ ַמת • Other words that derive from that – one meaning is “to join, word for border? Either because root also indicate suffering and attach, contract”. From here the the meaning extended from border ֶצֹמת -humble,” ani, word tzomet, – juncture. to “region,” or because the Egyp“ – ָע ָנו ,affliction: anav tor- Another meaning is “to oppress, tians were known for having strict“ – ִע ּנ ּוי ,poor,” and inui“ – ָע ִני ture”. Another word that is possibly subdue, destroy”, and is the root borders. ְצ ִמ ּיתות – ,Today it means of the word tzemitut . ִע ְנ ָין ,related is inyan Perhaps due to association with “matter, subject,” but in Biblical “finality.” The meaning of “pres- ָצָרה Hebrew, it meant “occupation, task.” sure” is identified with the sense the word tzarah, – “trouble, Some linguists think that it origi- of contraction we see in other sorrow,” these weeks are known nally meant “toilsome occupation” words with this root. as days of sadness. But we should remember that the original mean- צ וֹ ם ע-נ-ה and derived from the root In modern Hebrew, is used for ing referred to a narrow strait or a meaning “affliction.” all kinds of fasts, including medical border area. May our sadness be -is restricted to the reli ַּת ֲע ִנית .ones as we said, also means “to fast.” limited to this time of year, and in , צ וֹ ם gious realm, and can also refer to Surprisingly, it is not clear if it is the future, may these weeks become refraining from other things, like צ ּמא .related to the word tzama, ָ ַ – days of joy “thirst.” The cognates to each in from speaking (a ta’anit dibbur). other Semitic languages (like Ara- Bein HaMetzarim maic, Arabic and Akkadian) don’t David Curwin is a writer living in Efrat, point to an obvious connection. The three-week period between and the author of the Balashon blog, That said, there does seem to be the 17th of Tammuz and Tisha balashon.com

| 31 TISHA B’AV READING

Rabbi Shimshon HaKohen Nadel

Mourning the Churban in a Rebuilt Jerusalem he traditional text of to “the city that is in sorrow, laid changes to the text of Nachem, Nachem, the additional waste, and in ruin.” The more subtle and the text, as is, is relevant even prayer recited on Tisha B’Av language, Rav Goren felt, better today. Rav Soloveitchik explained Tafternoon at Mincha, describes expressed the new reality of a that according to the Rambam, Jerusalem as, “the city that is in Jerusalem in Jewish hands. Jerusalem shares the sanctity of sorrow, laid waste, scorned and des- Serving as Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi of the Beit HaMikdash. If the Beit olate; that grieves for the loss of her HaMikdash is not standing, surely children, that is laid waste of her the State of Israel from 1973-1983, Rav Goren attempted to formally Jerusalem can be described as being dwellings, robbed of her glory, des- “laid waste, scorned and desolate” olate without inhabitants. She sits institute the changes he made to (See the Orthodox Union’s Mesorah with her head covered like a barren, Nachem, but was unsuccessful. 7, , 5752, p. 19). childless woman...” While his changes were minor, and closer to the original text as it Some authorities, like Rav Zvi But today Jerusalem is not “… appears in the Talmud Yerushalmi, Yehudah Kook and Rav Shaul desolate without inhabitants.” With they were controversial, with many over half a million Jewish residents, leading authorities at the time Yisraeli, opposed making public Jerusalem is teeming with life; her opposing his move. changes to Nachem in the repetition skies lined with new buildings, of the Amidah, but allowed for Rav Chaim David Halevi suggested as the city continues to grow by individuals to make changes in their more subtle changes, changing the leaps and bounds. One cannot help own silent Amidah. text from present to past tense, but feel that we are witnessing replacing “the city that is in sorrow,” Rav Goren himself would eventually the fruition of Zechariah’s with “the city that was in sorrow,” change his mind after the euphoria prophecy, “Old men and women and “she sits with her head covered,” of those early post-Six Day-War- will once again sit in the streets of with “she sat with her head covered” Jerusalem… and boys and girls will days faded, and gave way to a (Aseh Lecha Rav 1:14). play in her streets” (:4- stark reality. In November 1978, Rav Goren wrote that due to 5), before our very eyes. Rav the “ethical, moral, and national opposed changes to the text of Following the dramatic events of Nachem because the Old City of decline” following the Yom Kippur June 1967, Rav , Jerusalem was full of War, and in light of plans for land then Chief Rabbi of the IDF, made in various states of destruction concessions to the Palestinians, he changes to the nusach of Nachem and disrepair, while at the same is retracting his ruling in favor of to reflect the new reality of a time full of churches and mosques the traditional nusach (Terumat unified Jerusalem, under Jewish (HaTzofeh, 8 Av 5729, p. 2). HaGoren, pp. 327-329). sovereignty. Rav opposed any The debate over Nachem reflects In the IDF Siddur he edited and changes to Nachem for two reasons: the very real challenge we face published in 1970, Rav Goren wrote 1) Our prayers were composed by today, mourning the Churban that the traditional liturgy is “not the Anshei Knesset HaGedola and in a rebuilt Jerusalem. May we appropriate when Jerusalem is free we do not have the authority to merit to mourn properly, and see and under Israel’s sovereignty.” make any changes to the text, and Instead of the traditional nusach the fulfilment of the promise of 2) the traditional text of Nachem is our Sages: “All who mourn for which is based on a text that relevant even today, considering the appears in the Rosh, Rav Goren Jerusalem will merit to witness her physical and spiritual degradation in her joy” (Ta’anit 30b). chose a text based on the Talmud of Jerusalem and the Temple Mount Yerushalmi (Berachot 4:3; Ta’anit (Yechave Da’at 1:43). Rabbi Shimshon HaKohen Nadel lives 2:2), and the Siddur of Amram and teaches in Jerusalem, where he Gaon and the Rambam, which Rav Joseph B. Solovietchik too felt serves as Mara D’atra of ’s Kehilat limits the description of Jerusalem that we have no authority to make Zichron Yosef

32 | TISHA B’AV READING

Rabbi Andrew Shaw

THE Most Important RELATIONSHIP OF ALL

hen the 17th of Tammuz the churban as a physical destruc- National mourning is the same – we normally comes around, tion of bricks and mortar. have lost the relationship, not with we prepare for a change. our father, but our Father in Heaven What are we mourning? We are WFor three weeks there will be no – Avinu SheBashamayim – our spir- mourning the loss of opportunity wedding parties, no bar itual parent. Therefore, this year, of a connection, a relationship to celebrations and a lessening of our I feel I can relate to this idea more Hashem. Ever since the Beit HaMik- social interaction with the wider than I used to – to understand what dash was destroyed, Hashem’s world. This year, we hardly feel the it means to lose the ability to have a change as tragically, this has been presence is no longer visibly and relationship with someone you love the reality for the last few months. palpably sensed in our lives and in deeply. Yet we must still strive to con- our world. When we had the Beit nect to the meaning of the Three HaMikdash, we had that connection Our prayers at this time, and Weeks within our current Covid-19 in Yerushalayim, which inspired the throughout the year, are for that situation. whole world. The Shechina dwelt relationship to be restored. Those amongst us, human life was on a are the tears of Tisha B’Av, the Normally usher in different level, we could connect in a period where I will no longer be tears for the centuries that have a way that we do not understand. seen that relationship damaged and shaving, getting haircuts, listening There was a deep relationship there. to music, etc. However, this year it tears for a desire for a relationship is different, as my father was niftar When you lose a loved one – what with Hashem and a return to those on the 27th of Sivan, so I was still in are you mourning? You are mourn- former times. my shloshim when the Three Weeks ing the loss of relationship; you began. As we recite at the end of Eicha: ֲהׁ ִש ֵיב ּנו ה’ ֵא ֶל ָיך ְו ָנשׁ ּו ָבה ַח ֵ ּדשׁ ָי ֵמ ּינו ְּכ ֶק ֶדם are mourning the fact you can no longer connect with that person in My personal mourning had now – “Bring us back to You, Hashem, the way you used to. We understand been joined by national mourning. and we shall return, renew our days that their soul lives on in the Olam The question is – which is more HaEmet (the World of Truth), but of old.” poignant? Personal or National? the way we relate as human beings L’ilui nishmat Reuvain Mattityahu ben Most people would say the personal of flesh and blood to each other, to Elyakim Getzel – you cannot compare the loss of a our loved ones, to our parents, is loved one now to the loss of the Beit through the physical world, so when HaMikdash thousands of years ago. they are no longer with us physically Rabbi Andrew Shaw is Chief Executive of However, that is only if we think of – we have lost the relationship. Mizrachi UK

| 33 TISHA B’AV READING

Rabbi Berel Wein

The Relevance of Tisha B’Av

he Romans destroyed the defeats. One of the most striking and outside the Jewish religious Second Temple in Jerusalem aspects of Jewish tradition is the world as to the place this day of 1,950 years ago. 1,950 years fact that Judaism commemorates mourning should have in our lives. Tis a very long time, even in terms – with ritual, prayer and behavior The miraculous rise and success of the span of human history. Great – the most negative moments of the State of Israel has presented empires have risen to dominate the in Jewish history. It does so to the Jewish world with enormous world over this period but without remind us of the actuality of life opportunities, but with enormous exception, they have all crumbled and events. It does so to warn us of spiritual and physical challenges as and disappeared into the dustbin of the consequences of evil and even well. After 1,950 years of mourning history. Religions and beliefs arose erroneous behavior and policies. on this date, it is hard to imagine and for a long time were popular It does so that we shall not gloss any change, yet the prophets did tell and boasted millions of adherents. over the parts of our story that us this day would become a day of However, once again the bloom is are uncomfortable and even very joy and rejoicing and no longer one off the rose for most of them. negative. of mourning. We are living in a post-Christian We are not yet so privileged to era and vast areas of the world If we are not aware of be able to change and reverse the such as Europe, that formerly were content and mood of the day. Too the bastions of that faith, have now “” our defeats, there is much has occurred to us and at abandoned it in belief and practice. no way we can ever too great a price, in our struggle to The god of secularism appeared plan to reach victory remain a separate and holy people, to be dominant during the last for this day to be stripped of its sad century, spearheaded and abetted content. The lessons of the day and by the power of the atheistic and For if we are not aware of our of the words of the great prophets seemingly all-powerful Soviet defeats, there is no way we can of Israel still need to be reinforced Union. But that mighty colossus has ever plan to reach victory and within us personally and within our also proven to be empty. Though accomplishment. The prime society. there are those that still espouse example of this attitude of The day demands of us loyalty to the disproven theories of Marxism, truthfulness, no matter how the G-d of Israel and to the Torah real facts belie there is any truth or painful, is found in the words of the and traditions that have maintained future in those theories and beliefs. prophets of Israel who foresaw the us over this long span of time. destruction of the Temple but also It evokes memory and demands Nationalism as a goal and an saw the eventual restoration and attention to the problems and ideal also seems to be on its rebuilding of the Jewish people and failings still present in our lives way, as nations and peoples Jewish life in the land of Israel. struggle to construct some sort of and society. But it also points to international order and economic I think it is because of this a hopeful future and to comfort, interdependence. The world truthfulness and honesty that the consolation and better times. has changed greatly in terms of prayers and Biblical readings of technology and social order over Tisha B’Av still speak to us in such a the past 1,950 years. But, in many meaningful and emotional fashion. respects, it has not changed at all. Like everything else that is Jewish and Biblical, it is not just a record The world hardly marks the of what happened to us long ago but disappearance and passing of rather a comment on our times, our previous governments and social situation and our challenges. orders. It does not celebrate days of Rabbi Berel Wein is Senior Rabbi of defeat nor does it wish to remember Over the past few decades, Beit Knesset HaNassi in Jerusalem and the true and actual causes of those discussions have arisen both within Director of the Destiny Foundation

34 | TISHA B’AV READING

Rabbi Berel Wein Rabbi Shalom Rosner

The Secret of Consistency

he Mishna1 tells us of the five peculiar third opinion, the verse fewer recipients. Why? Because the more we do, the more actions we ֶאת – tragedies we commemorate describing the Korban Tamid perform, the more it shapes who we ַהֶּכֶבשׂ ֶאָחד ַּתֲעֶשׂה ַבּבֶֹקר ְוֵאת ַהֶּכֶבשׂ ַהׁ ֵּשִני -on 17 Tammuz. We remem How does this are. As the Sefer HaChinuch writes ...ַּתֲעֶשׂה ֵּבין ָהַעְרָּבִים Tber the breaking of the luchot, the ַא ֲח ֵר י ַה ּ ְפ ֻע ּל וֹ ת ִנ ְמ שׁ ָ כ וֹ ת ַה ְ ּל ָב ב וֹ ת ,walls of Jerusalem being breached, verse keep company with the first constantly an idol being placed in the Heichal, two, more obvious suggestions? – our hearts are drawn after our and a heathen king publicly burn- The commentaries explain that the actions. We are influenced by what ing a Sefer Torah. The final event secret of the tamid is consistency. we do. And the more we do it, the recorded is that this was the day the Serving and working every day, day more it conditions us to the value Korban Tamid stopped. This pair in, day out, not missing or skipping being expressed by that action. of korbanot bracketed all other kor- any opportunity. That’s the secret to ָּת ִדיר banot. It was the first and last one a successful religious life and life- This then, is the greatness of , brought each day. Why did Chazal style. It’s not about the one-time the more common, and the sig- consider this event on a par with major mitzvah, but the day-to-day nificance of the Korban Tamid. all the other heinous crimes? All service, the yomi obligations, the This korban was a microcosm of korbanot are special and have deep Torah, chesed, and tefillah, that fill our entire avodah. Day in, day out. symbolism. What is unique about our daily lives. Serving G-d each and every day of this pair? our lives. Chazal understood that Rabbi Steinsaltz (Chayei Olam) once this symbol was taken away There is a fascinating question notes the contrast between from us – along with all the other discussed in Zevachim (90b). The Vayeira – filled with earth-shatter- tragic events of the day – it was Mishna states the well known hala- ing events, meetings with angels, worthy of fasting. ,towns being destroyed by Heaven ָּת ִדיר ְושׁ ֶ ֵאינוֹ ָּת ִדיר chic principle that When there are two obli- the elderly having children, and of Our job, in this dark time of the . ּ ָת ִד י ר ק וֹ ֵד ם gations to fulfill, the more common course, Akeidat Yitzchak – imme- year, is to reinvigorate our day-to- one takes precedence. The Mishna diately followed by Chayei Sarah, day activities, to recognize that G-d also states that when there are two containing very mundane, earthly loves the tadir, the common, and to korbanot to offer, the more holy topics; burial of a loved one, as well persevere in our daily avodah. Dav- one takes precedence. The Gema- as finding a wife for a son. How ening each day, performing chesed comes should we understand this contrast? for those in need, carving out time ָּת ִדיר ra’s question is what if – holy vs. common, Rav Steinsaltz suggests that yes, to learn Torah each and every day , ְ מ ֻ ק ָ ּ ד שׁ up against which one ‘wins’? The Gemara does there are various Vayeira moments these are the actions that will shape not reach a conclusion, and thus in our lives, but what really makes our hearts. Let it be His will that we Rambam (Temidim 9:2) codifies a difference are the Chayei Sarah not only learn the message of the that one has either option available. days, where the mundane daily Korban Tamid, but merit to actually service needs to be sanctified and offer it in the Third Mikdash, may it How can the Gemara even entertain uplifted. come speedily in our days. that common beats holy? Isn’t holy the ultimate factor? What’s so sig- What is so crucial and defining nificant about being common and about this part of our life? Why is 1 Ta’anit 26b. ָּת ִדיר performed more often, that it could , the common, at least com- ָ ק ד ֹ ו שׁ even balance out with holy? parable to , the holy? Maybe the answer is embedded in Mishna All – ְו ַה ּכֹל ְל ִפי רֹב ַה ַּמ ֲע ֶשׂה :(Ein Yaakov quotes a much-dis- Avot (3:15 cussed Midrash, as to what is the is according to the action. What most inclusive and comprehensive does this mean? Rambam explains verse in the Torah. After citing the that if one has 1,000 shekels to give Rabbi Shalom Rosner is a Rebbe at to charity, he should give less to Yeshivat Kerem B’Yavneh and Rabbi of the ְו ָא ַה ְב ָּת and ׁ ְש ַמע ִי ְשָׂר ֵאל opinion of the Midrash quotes the more recipients rather than more to Nofei HaShemesh community , ְל ֵר ֲע ָך ָ ּכ מ וֹ ָך

| 35 TISHA B’AV READING

Rabbi Stewart Weiss

Encountering Eicha so alone, so like a widow?” Just as ֵא ָיכה :s we proceed day-by-day First, Moshe Rabbeinu laments How can I bear a woman who has lost her husband“ – ֶאָּשׂא ְלַבִּדי ָטְרֲחֶכם through the Three Weeks (Bein HaMeTzarim), the your struggles alone?” (Devarim feels abandoned, deserted, defense- Asense of gloom and despondency 1:12). Moshe was never one to shirk less, we left ourselves vulnerable to over the loss of the Beit HaMikdash from work or challenge, but he the insidious nations surrounding steadily intensifies. As Rav recognizes that in the final analy- us. With the demise of our rela- Soloveitchik points out, the various sis, it is the nation that must carry tionship with G-d – and our unwill- phases of the Three Weeks are the burden and not the individual. ingness to repent and rekindle that likened – in inverse order – to the While we are fond of saying “great holy union – we became prey to three-tiered structure of Jewish leaders make great nations,” Moshe, our enemies. They sensed we no mourning. The year of mourning in his unparalleled wisdom, knew longer had our partner to guard approximates the start of the the truth is quite the opposite: A and protect us, and so we were decimated. period on 17 Tammuz, when (in great people will invariably cause Ashkenazic practice) we avoid all great leaders to emerge. occasions of festivity. The 30 days As the Gemara points out, we failed of Shloshim are akin to the Nine as a nation when we dismissed the Days when we do not take haircuts, Sages and neglected to properly eat meat or drink wine. Tisha B’Av, educate our children, when we the “Black Fast” itself, mimics the failed to call out the evil-doers, Shiva, when we sit sullenly upon the when we engaged in the widespread floor, without shoes, awash in tears, desecration of the Shabbat (Shabbat not even greeting one another. 119b), when we practiced rigidity rather than flexibility in the Law Perhaps the ultimate depth of our (Bava Metzia 30b) and, of course, despair is embodied in the read- when we engaged in cynical, ing of Megillat Eicha on Tisha B’Av baseless hatred (Yoma 9b). Only written by the when the nation as a whole fails so ( ֵא ָיכה) night. Eicha איכה Navi Yirmiyahu – eye witness to the miserably can a disaster as great as Using the same letters of (Bere- destruction of the First Beit HaMik- the Churban occur. ishit 3:9), G-d calls out to Adam – ַאֶּי ָּכה dash by the Babylonians – is the to Man in every generation – ֵא ָיכה only one of the Megillot read solely Then Yeshayahu wails (1:21), – Ayeka, where are you?! That first ָו ֵא ָח ֵבא -How has this faith“ – ָה ְי ָת ה ְל ז וֹ ָנ ה at night. Ruth, Kohelet and Shir Adam replied, – And I hid. ful city become like a prostitute!” HaShirim are read in the morn- But we know we cannot escape, Lusting after the practices of the or hide, or avoid facing G-d. We ing hours, offering messages of nations, she sells out her principles must confront our actions, recog- love, light and optimism. Megillat to the lover who offers the highest nize our failings, and commit to Esther is recited both morning and bid. A harlot has no intrinsic iden- correcting the national sins which evening, leading us in a path from tity, no unique character. She is a resulted in our dispersion and deg- impending doom and destruction body (politic) for hire; her passions radation. Only then will Tisha B’Av to salvation and joyous celebration. are directed solely by those who pay truly become a Moed, and its dark But Eicha remains cloaked through- her fee. In spurning our true bene- countenance turned into a great and out in darkness – the seemingly factor, our eternal soulmate, Israel shining light. endless darkness of the Exile. forfeited G-d’s loyalty to us, leading to our destruction. -encapsu ֵא ָיכה Three references to Rabbi Stewart Weiss is director of the late both the emotions of this night Finally, Yirmiyahu cries out in Jewish Outreach Center of Ra’anana and the father of Staff Sgt. Ari Weiss z”l, who fell ֵא ָיכה ָיׁ ְשָבה ָבָדד :as well as the underlying causes of Eicha’s opening verse the Churban. – “How did Yerushalayim become in a fire-fight with Hamas terrorists in 2002

36 | TISHA B’AV READING

Rabbi Ari Posner

What is Tisha B’Av? av Soloveitchik famously – occurs in order of most to least destruction, the 17th of Tammuz draws a parallel between the severe, the mourning of the Three the fall of Yerushalayim and Tisha three periods of mourning for weeks – Aveilut Yeshana (mourn- B’Av the fall of Tziyon (Zion). Rclose relatives and the three periods ing of the ancient) – is practised we find within the Three Weeks. from the least to the most restric- What does Rav Hirsch mean by tive, culminating with the height “the fall of Tziyon” and why does From the 17 of Tammuz, we refrain of our mourning, Tisha B’Av itself. he use that description for Tisha from haircuts, music and other By Aveilut Chadasha, grief is most B’Av instead of “the fall of the Beit joyous and festive activities, as intense with the passing, as the HaMikdash”? one does during the 12 months of image of who we have lost is still in mourning for a parent. From Rosh the front of our minds, and some- The Kinot on Tisha B’Av conclude Chodesh Av, more restrictions what eases over time. with a number of ‘Tziyon Kinot’ apply, relating to laundry, bathing, – kinot that begin with the word When it comes to Aveilut Yeshana, consuming meat and wine and some Tziyon and, as Rav Soloveitchik we need to prepare ourselves and other joyful activities, in line with describes, serve to shift our focus gradually work up to the powerful the period of shloshim. from remembering the destruc- emotions that accompany a true Finally, Tisha B’Av itself is like the internalisation of the meaning of tion and ruins of Yerushalayim to shiva – we sit on the floor, without Tisha B’Av. It is impossible to turn it remembering the glory of Yerusha- greeting each other, we do not wear on immediately, in one instant. layim before the destruction. leather shoes and, of course we fast. That said, what are we working In a very real way, Tziyon is the However, Rav Soloveitchik points towards during the Three Weeks? beauty of what we once had. The out the obvious difference between embodiment of Am Yisrael as a the Three Weeks and the periods of It is curious that when Rav Shim- shining beacon of Torah, justice and shon Refael Hirsch, in Chorev, mourning – they are in reverse! truth radiating from the centre of describes the gradual destruc- our existence, Yerushalayim. Whereas mourning over the pass- tion of Yerushalayim and the Beit ing of someone close – known as HaMikdash, he writes that the 10th Ultimately, Tisha B’Av must arouse Aveilut Chadasha (new mourning) of Tevet was the beginning of the in us a desire to do better.

It must motivate us to overcome and rectify the causes of destruc- tion. But in addition to stirring in us the emotions of Zecher LeChur- ban – remembering the destruc- tion, we must also achieve a state of Zecher LeMikdash – remembering the beauty of the Beit HaMikdash.

Only when we truly appreciate and internalise the magnificence of what Tziyon was, can we genuinely mourn its loss and seek to rebuild.

Rabbi Ari Posner is Rabbi of the Dianella Mizrachi Shul and Rosh Kollel of Torah MiTzion Perth

| 37 crying and yearning

Five Ideas to Connect to the Loss of the Beit Hamikdash Today

On Tisha B’Av, we’re asked to cry about a world when the Beit HaMikdash is rebuilt on the Temple bygone era and yearn for an abstract Jewish Mount in Jerusalem. future – difficult actions and feelings to According to the Midrash (Tanchuma, Tzav 14): compel in a generation of people for whom G-d said to Yechezkel: “The study of the Temple struc- the Kotel, the outermost wall of the Beit ture is considered as being of equal merit to its building. HaMikdash, has always been the backdrop to So tell the people to study the Temple structure, and as some of their best family photos. a reward, I will consider their study as though they were actually building the Temple.” Our lives are so rich, both physically and spiritually. We are so content with our families, our homes, our busi- When the Jewish people were in the Babylonian Exile, nesses, our pleasures and our prosperity as to make the the Prophet Yechezkel was instructed to teach the destruction of the Beit HaMikdash more than 2,000 people details of the Temple’s construction. The Radak years ago somewhat remote and of limited concern. (Yechezkel 43:11), says the people were told to construct a three-dimensional model of the Temple. By doing this, Few people truly mourn for the Beit HaMikdash. Even it brought into reality the idea that the Jews would even- fewer truly feel the absence of the Shechina, the Divine tually return to their Land and rebuild the Temple. Presence. Here are five ideas/activities for learning about the Beit Because we have never experienced what we lost, it HaMikdash that once was and will, B’Ezrat Hashem, be is hard for us to imagine what would be added to the built again soon:

38 | TORAT MIZRACHI

Learn about the korbanot (offerings) which were whole lives could be on a much higher spiritual plane 1brought to the Beit HaMikdash. – and consequently give us much deeper pleasure and Learn about the various keilim (vessels) of the Beit enjoyment than we have in our lives today – that may HaMikdash, e.g. Menorah, Holy Ark, clothes of the inspire us to yearn for a more fulfilling existence. 2Kohen, etc. And in terms of crying for the loss of the Beit HaMik- Learn about special mitzvot that applied during the dash, for a higher spiritual reality we cannot really con- 3times of the Beit HaMikdash, such as going up to ceive, perhaps we can take a lesson from the Israeli para- Jerusalem three times annually, or other mitzvot such as trooper who was one of the first to touch the Kotel upon Bikkurim, Maaser and Hakhel. its liberation in 1967. When asked why he was crying, Learn about aspects of the service in the Beit HaMik- he replied: “I’m crying because I don’t know what I’m dash which still apply today, such as Birkat Kohanim crying for.”  4(the Priestly Blessing) and washing one’s hands before eating bread.

Construct your own 3D model of the Beit HaMikdash 5or complete a puzzle featuring the Beit HaMikdash. And of course, add your own ideas too. If we understand that we are lacking a closeness to G-d, and that our

| 39 GENERAL INTEREST PARENTING

Dr. David Pelcovitz THE IMPORTANCE OF Perspective Taking

any indirect forces shape supportively challenge their child’s There is a fascinating Rabbi Nach- our children’s values and thinking in an atmosphere that is man story that explains the signif- raising a mensch is so marked by respect for the views icance of the Torah being given in Mmuch more complicated than only of others, including those of their the arafel, in the mist. We acquire telling them what to do. Longitu- child. wisdom in the fog. “The people dinal studies that identify the core kept their distance but Moshe After giving a lecture that included ingredients associated with raising approached the fog where G-d a discussion of this topic, a Rabbi in 1 an empathic child identify a subtle w a s .” Rav Nachman explains this the audience told me the following process typically present in such passage as having the following story. He had just taken a position families. implication: “For when they saw the as the leader of a shul that had had mist, the obstacle, they kept their Parents who raise children who a rocky relationship with the previ- distance.” But Moshe approached, become kind and charitable adults ous Rabbi. He was shocked to hear into the obstacle, which is precisely expose them to discussions that that the son of one of his congre- where G-d was hidden.2 show respect for those with whom gants had just become engaged to they disagree. Imagine a family a non-Jewish woman. He met with Even the most basic examination of sitting around a Shabbat table dis- the young man to understand how the Talmud is an education in the cussing an issue about which they this happened and to try to dissuade core value of Jews being comfort- feel passionately. Parents who show him from his decision. The young able with uncertainty. How often in contempt or disrespect are convey- man explained that all of his life, Talmudic discussions do we see a ing a very powerful message to their the conversation he heard around high level of comfort with conclud- (that is indeed a question) קשיא :children. They are modeling an the Shabbat table was dominated by ing approach to conflict that includes his parents’ bitter complaints about we will have to wait for the) תיקו or disdain and contempt for those who the previous Rabbi. When company coming of the Messiah to come to view the world differently. Whether came over, this too was a major a conclusion about this issue). The the discussion is about family mem- topic of conversation. He asked the Talmud tells us that the reason we bers, friends, or the leadership of Rabbi: “How do you expect me to adopt the opinions of the house of the local shul or yeshiva, showing view this religion? I was a young, Hillel over the house of Shammai respect for those with whom we impressionable boy and my view of is that the house of Hillel was able disagree is a very potent lesson for Judaism was mainly informed by the to appreciate the perspective of the children. bitter anger my parents and their members of the house of Sham- friends felt toward their spiritual A crucial facet of this process is leader. I see no reason to continue mai and take that perspective into the parental promotion of per- to belong to a religion that was so account in making their decisions. spective-taking in their children. devalued by my parents and their Adapted from Balanced Parenting by It is common sense that children friends.” Rabbi Raphael Pelcovitz and Dr. David who are encouraged to see things Pelcovitz respectfully – through the eyes of Who do you want your children others, even those with whom we to marry one day? Somebody disagree – are getting an important who comes from a family where 1 Shemot 20:17. lesson in one of the basic building the views of others are dealt with 2 Likutei Moharan, 115. blocks of empathy. Parents whose respect, and where there is an effort discussion style is associated with to understand the opposite view- instilling the proper values in their point? Isn’t that an essential build- children are also more likely to ing block of a good marriage? Were Dr. David Pelcovitz holds the Gwendolyn actively encourage their child’s your future daughter-in-law or son- and Joseph Straus Chair in Psychology participation in family discussions. in-law exposed to a home environ- and Jewish Education at the Azrieli These parents pull their children ment that taught them to live with Graduate School of Jewish Education and into discussions with adults and the grays? Administration at Yeshiva University

40 | RELATIONSHIPS GENERAL INTEREST

Dr. David Pelcovitz Rabbi Ben Tzion Shafier RESPECT FIRST Lo e Second

husband and wife are walk- while many couples do focus on the quicker to argue and less likely to ing when suddenly he trips. love in their marriage, they allow accept the opinion of their spouses, one area to slip: respect. And when as opposed to that of someone they “Oy!” she cries out. “Are you A respect slips, the relationship starts had never met before. okay?! I hope you’re not hurt.” to fray. Sadly, it’s almost natural. Why is this? One reason is that we “It’s okay. It’s okay,” he responds. Dr. John Gottman, a renowned are socialized to be polite. Since “I’m fine.” marital therapist, did an eye-open- childhood, we’ve been trained to Let’s revisit the scenario. The same ing study. He studied interactions use our manners and be courteous, man and woman. The same street. between couples and then com- and we remain true to that — out- Suddenly he trips and she cries pared their reactions to other side the house. The problem is that people. out: “Klutz! What’s wrong with often, within our own homes, we you? Can’t you even walk without To do this, he sat a husband and forget how we are supposed to act. tripping?” wife across from each other and Interestingly, the Rambam gives us videotaped them while they dis- What’s the difference between sce- a formula for a beautiful marriage. cussed certain issues. Then he nario #1 and scenario #2? asked the wife to step outside and “Our Sages commanded that a hus- In the first, they are a newly-mar- asked another woman to come in. band must respect his wife more ried couple. In the second, they He then asked the husband to con- than himself and love her as much verse about a similar subject with have already been married for three as himself. Likewise, they com- this stranger. He then brought the years. manded a wife to treat her husband wife back in and asked the hus- with exceeding amounts of honor. While this is an anecdote, it illus- band to leave. Again, he introduced If a couple does this, their union trates a critical point. When a another man and asked the wife couple begins a marriage, there is to have a conversation with this will be beautiful and praiseworthy. a sense of newness and excitement. stranger. (Rambam, Hilchot Ishut 15:19) They are anxious to see each other; The order the Rambam put things they enjoy each other’s company. Here is what he found: regardless in is illustrative. “A man must They are in the infatuation stage. of whether the couples were newly married or long-time veterans, respect his wife more than himself But that stage was designed to be over and over, they were less polite and love her as much as himself.” short-lived. Their job is to now towards each other than they were It’s respect first, and love second. build the real bond of love. And to utter strangers. They were also This point becomes a major obsta- cle in many marriages. After a few months or a few years, the common courtesy and basic respect start to weaken.

Once the respect slips, the relation- ship starts to unravel.

Rabbi Ben Tzion Shafier is a veteran educator and noted relationships expert who served as a high school rebbe for 15 years before creating TheShmuz.com, a popular website that dispenses weekly Torah inspiration to 10,000 people across the globe

| 41 GENERAL INTEREST

Rabbi Dov Lipman

Understanding Suffering

s parents, we love our chil- nutritious, inviting grain. He then transformed it into dirt!” Again, he dren. We will do anything watched in shock as the farmer was told to be patient. and sacrifice immensely to walked up and down the furrows Amake them happy and to show them dropping the kernels into the open The farmer put the dust into sacks, our love. And yet, if our children do ground and then covering the ker- brought it home, took some dust, something wrong, we punish them. nels with clods of soil. mixed it with water, and formed it It is not an easy thing to do, but we into the shape of a loaf. The visitor know it is best for our child in the “Are you crazy?” he said. “First you saw the perfectly formed loaf and long run. destroyed your field and now you was happy. But then the farmer lit ruined the grain?” the fire in the oven and put the loaf The fact that the most tragic time into it leading the visitor to scream, in the Jewish calendar falls in a “Be patient. You will see,” came the answer. “It’s official. You are insane. After all month called Av (father) is not a that work, you just burned what you coincidence. It reminds us that even Time went by, and the farmer took made!” The farmer replied again, though we don’t understand why we his guest out to the field where he “Did I not tell you to be patient?” suffer so much and we do not see saw straight rows of green stalks any possible good that can come sprouting up from all the furrows. Finally, the farmer opened the oven from it, G-d is our Av, our Father The visitor smiled and commented, and took out freshly baked bread who loves us. He would not decree “Now I understand what you were with an aroma that made the vis- suffering or allow horrible things doing. You made the field more itor’s mouth water. The farmer to happen to us if it was not for our beautiful than ever. The art of farm- sliced a piece for the visitor and future good. ing is truly spectacular.” as he watched the guest enjoy the bread, the farmer said, “Now you During the Holocaust, Rav “No,” replied the farmer. “We are not understand.” Elchanan Wasserman answered his done. You must still be patient.” students’ questions about why they “G-d is the Farmer,” Rav Elchanan were suffering with the following More time went by and when the explained. “We are visitors who do parable: stalks were fully grown the farmer took a sickle and chopped them all not understand the process. But “A man asked a farmer to teach him down. The visitor stood in stunned when the process is complete and about farming. The farmer took him silence as the stunning field became the final Redemption comes, we will to his field and asked him what he an ugly scene of destruction. He understand it all.” saw. “I see a beautiful piece of land, thought maybe things were turn- Our loving Father has blessed us lush with grass, and pleasing to the ing for the better when he saw the to return to the Land of Israel and eye.” Then the visitor was stunned as farmer bind the stalks into bundles with the creation of the State of he watched the farmer plow under and decorated the field with them. the grass, turning the beautiful But then he was bewildered again Israel – showing us that the final green field into a mass of shallow seeing the farmer beating and crush- Redemption is on the way. As we brown ditches. ing the bundles until they became mourn this Tisha B’Av, may we be a mass of straw and loose kernels. comforted knowing that G-d is our “Why did you ruin the field?” he The visitor learned not to get excited Av and that when the final Redemp- asked. when he saw the farmer separate tion arrives we will understand how all of our sufferings are because of “Be patient. You will see,” said the the kernels from the chaff and piled farmer. the grain into a huge hill. And sure His love for the Jewish people. enough, the farmer then took the The farmer then showed his guest beautiful grain to a mill where he a bag sack full of plump kernels of ground it up into dust. The visi- Rabbi Dov Lipman is a former MK and the wheat and asked, “What do you tor could not hold back and com- author of seven books about Judaism and see?” The visitor described the plained: “You have taken grain and Israel

42 | GENERAL INTEREST

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VISIT WWW.TZURBAOLAMI.COM TO ORDER BOOKS OR TO FIND A LOCAL SHIUR | 43 The Preacher WHO TAUGHT ME HOW TO MOURN FOR the Temple Judy Waldman

y daughter Jennifer joined She didn’t want to fill someone else’s We walked down the path she had the Peace Corps soon after shoes; she wanted to blaze her own taken to get here. The trek to the graduating from college. trail. That’s how she was posted to bus stop was only the beginning M Las Palomas. of an arduous journey. Once we The Peace Corps application boarded the bus, we stood, waiting Jennifer had been living in Las process was an interesting one. for two seats to open up. Passenger Palomas for about four months Jennifer was asked to list three after passenger boarded and when I knew it was time for a visit. preferred countries, but ultimately departed, live chickens under one they needed someone who was The flight from Miami to Managua arm and bags of food under the fluent in Spanish for an opening was short and uneventful. In other. in Nicaragua, for that’s where they Managua, I transferred to a small wanted to send her. Having grown After a torturous ordeal of several prop plane; at least it was a twin- up in the Southwest and having prop. There were two other hours during which the bus snaked minored in Spanish in college, passengers besides me. down rutted mountain roads, we Jennifer was indeed fluent. But finally arrived at our stop. How she Nicaragua? The captain landed smoothly on a knew that the wooden chair at the grass airstrip. Jennifer was supposed dirt-road juncture was our stop, I Weighed down by a large backpack, to meet me there, but I saw no signs still haven’t figured out. and with purse and straw hat in of any waiting greeters. I walked hand, Jennifer flew to Managua, over to the picnic table under the We hiked a mile up the muddy path where she was met by a Peace Corps veranda – the closest thing to until we got to a corner market. employee who drove her to the an edifice at the “airport” – and “Welcome to Las Palomas,” Jennifer administrative office. plopped myself down. announced with pride.

First, there was a training period While I waited for Jennifer, I It’s a good thing she told me we that involved living for two weeks wondered what I’d do if she didn’t had arrived because all I saw was with a host family while she learned show up. We didn’t have an alternate a rickety one-room wooden shack the Peace Corps protocols and plan. To my relief and immense with a hand-painted sign that said made preparations for the two-year gratitude, Jennifer soon came over “Mercado.” We continued walking placement. Jennifer requested an to me, huffing and puffing, and uphill until we stood looking up at assignment where there hadn’t been almost knocked me over with her her house, Jennifer beaming a smile any previous Peace Corps workers. hug. of welcome.

44 | Photo: Sarah Murray, Wikipedia The house was little more than the Temple and the Jews’ special To my utter astonishment, the a wooden box on stilts. It had duties as the Chosen People. preacher started sobbing. I watched two rooms, a living room and a as he laid his head on his arms and bedroom. The on the front Jennifer calmed him down by cried from his very soul. Suddenly door was surely the only one for telling him that her mother would he jumped up and begged me hundreds of miles. be coming to Las Palomas in a few agitatedly in Spanish to please tell weeks. “She is very religious,” she him it wasn’t so, that the Temple The kitchen – a fire pit and informed him. “She will be able to still existed in Jerusalem. worktable with a thatched roof explain.” overhead – was outside. The Then, spent, he sat back down, his The man had been counting the bathroom was an outhouse situated head on the table, and asked if we days until my arrival. Now he was down the hill. would give him a few minutes alone. here, eager to speak with me. His Jennifer and I stepped outside, but Jennifer offered coffee. No espresso Spanish was too rapid for me to fully through the paneless windows we machine here. She took her machete understand, so Jennifer translated. and whacked a mesquite log until heard his painful sobbing, then his she had a bundle of kindling wood, “The preacher knows that children pleading… to whom I wasn’t sure. aren’t as religious as their parents put a metal pot on top of the Eventually, the preacher came chicken-wire grate, and boiled water these days. He thought I was outside with his head lowered, for coffee. We took our two cups making up stories about the wiping his tears on his sleeve. He inside and were sitting at the table destruction of the Temple only couldn’t even say “adios” as he in her living room when we heard because I had never gone to the walked heavily down the path, his someone at the door. Temple myself or watched the life forever altered. offering of sacrifices.” Jennifer hopped up to greet the That was a life-changing moment visitor. “Hola, Padre. Pase.” The preacher said that since I was for me. If only I could cry for the of the older generation, I could give destruction of our Holy Temple as My Spanish is a bit rusty, but I knew him a firsthand description of the the padre had. Every Tisha B’Av, I she was welcoming the preacher, not Holy Temple. Did the priests wear distinctly recall his tear-streaked only because she referred to him as their vestments as described in the “padre” but because he was wearing Torah? And could I please describe face and reddened eyes, and even the telltale clerical collar. in detail all of the aromas? more his expression of genuine pain at hearing the tragic news that we Jennifer quickly explained to me I was dumbstruck. The priest, no longer had our Holy Temple. I that the preacher was fascinated having grown up in Las Palomas, a too now cry on Tisha B’Av. by her Jewishness. Neither he nor village without electricity, had no anyone else in the village of 670 exposure to the media. But certainly, How unfortunate that it took a residents had ever met a Jew. the news of the Temple’s destruction preacher from Nicaragua to provide tangible inspiration, to show me When he found out Jennifer was had traveled to Las Palomas in the how to mourn for the Temple. Jewish, he begged for details of the last 2,000 years. Temple and the sacrifices. Jennifer A version of this article originally The preacher sat across from told him that the Temple no longer appeared in Ami Magazine. me, looking intently into my face existed, and therefore we were no to determine if I too was telling longer able to offer the sacrifices. the truth. I explained that the To Jennifer’s bewilderment, the Babylonians had destroyed our Holy preacher first politely argued with Temple, that it had been rebuilt 70 Judy Waldman is a freelance writer and her, and then grew increasingly years later and destroyed again by motivational speaker specializing in agitated. He insisted that he read the the Romans about 400 years after Emunah, special needs, and intermarriage Bible every day and knew all about that. as well as general Jewish topics

| 45 GENERAL INTEREST

Rabbi Zev Leff TORAH AS THE TOTALITY OF G-D’S WILL the purpose of – ֲאׁ ֶשר ִק ְ ּדׁ ָש ּנו ְּב ִמ ְצוֹ ָתיו he question of why the Holy was determined to fast. I spoke to Temple was destroyed and his doctor and consulted another the mitzvot is to sanctify us and to the Land left desolate was observant doctor to confirm the inspire us to holiness. Tposed to the Sages and the proph- diagnosis. There was no doubt that ets. None could explain until G-d fasting would endanger his life. The second blessing emphasizes Himself revealed that it was a result that the purpose of the Torah is those who – י וֹ ְד ֵע י ׁ ְש ֶמ ָך of having forsaken the Torah. The I called the man in and explained to make us Talmud continues that the failure to him that he must eat on Yom know and emulate G-d’s character to listen to G-d’s voice and walk in Kippur. He looked me straight in traits in order to develop a com- the eye and said, “Rabbi, you’re a the Torah’s ways refers to their fail- plete Torah personality. ure to recite the blessings over the young man and I’m about three Torah. times your age, well into my 70s. Since my bar mitzvah, I have not The purpose of the Rabbeinu Yonah asks how this eaten on Yom Kippur, and I do not “” Land of Israel is to seemingly obvious fact – that the intend to start now.” I replied that provide the most Torah was forsaken – could have I could not force him to eat on eluded the Sages and prophets? To Yom Kippur, but that as soon as he holy environment in his question, we can add others. left my office, I would instruct the which to observe the The Talmud in Yoma says that the gabbai never to give him another mitzvot so we can First Temple was destroyed because honor in our shul. When he asked of immorality, murder and idolatry. why he deserved such treatment create a total Torah Why then, did Jeremiah mention for being strict with respect to Yom life for the Jewish only the failure to make a blessing Kippur, I told him we are prohibited people as a whole over Torah study? Moreover, where from honoring idol worshipers. did the Sages see in the verse itself that it refers to the failure to make “What idol worship am I guilty of?” And the third blessing empha- he demanded to know. I explained, a blessing rather than a total aban- sizes that G-d has chosen us from “The G-d of Israel has decreed donment of the Torah? the nations of the world and given that you must eat on Yom Kippur. us the responsibility to become Rabbeinu Yonah answers that in If some other god has commanded a nation of Kohanim and a holy fact the generation learned Torah you to fast, it is irrelevant to me if constantly and fulfilled the mitzvot. you call it Zeus, Kemosh or Yom people. The blessing enjoins us not That is why the Sages did not rec- Kippur – all idols are the same.” to merely hear the words, but to ognize they had forsaken the Torah. consider their implications. But if so, how did they fall to such a G-d’s answer to Jeremiah revealed level that they committed the three how people who studied and The purpose of the Land of Israel is cardinal sins? Why didn’t their observed the Torah could fall to the to provide the most conducive, holy Torah learning protect them? To depths of immorality, murder and environment in which to observe this G-d replied: their Torah learn- idolatry. “They forsook My Torah” – the mitzvot so we can create a total ing was lacking, as seen from their not the Torah, but My Torah. They Torah life for the Jewish people as a neglect of the blessing over their failed to hear G-d’s will expressed whole. But when the Jewish people learning. in the Torah; they failed to hear into observe mitzvot perfunctorily, My voice. And therefore they failed without the intention to live a com- One year I received an urgent call to walk in the ways of the Torah – plete Torah life, then the need for just before Yom Kippur from a they failed to make the Torah an the Land is negated, and its physi- woman in my congregation. Her all-encompassing guide. cal destruction follows. That is the husband had been told by his doctor lesson G-d revealed to Jeremiah. that he was suffering from a con- All of this is symbolized by the dition that could prove life-threat- failure to make a blessing prior Rabbi Zev Leff serves as the Rav of ening if he fasted. Nevertheless, he to learning. The blessing begins, Moshav Matityahu

46 | GENERAL INTEREST Rabbi Zev Leff Tisha B’Av Crossword

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1. What is the name of the Shabbat following 8 Tisha B’Av? 2. Tisha B’Av commemorates the destruction of the Beit HaMikdash and what city?

4. How many hours is the fast of Tisha B’Av? 9 7. We are not allowed to wear shoes made of this material on Tisha B’Av.

Across 3. What is the name of the seudah (meal) we eat just before Tisha B’Av? 5. Deportation of the Jews of which Ghetto began on Tisha B’Av in 1942? 6. What is the Hebrew greeting prohibited to greet someone with on Tisha B’Av? 8. According to the Gemara, how many tragedies occurred on Tisha B’Av? 9. What Megillah do we read on Tisha B’Av?

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