The Hidden Light Of Tisha B’Av

Until Mashiach comes, the ninth of Av is experienced by the Jewish people as a day of national mourning. Mourning for the Temple, and even more so, mourning for the loss of a glorious way of life. As night falls on the 9th of Av, we sit on the floor, refrain from food and drink, and reflect on the true scope of what is lost and what we could have been. We continue in this manner until the following afternoon, commemorating the dreadful crescendo of violence and horror which gained momentum on the 7th of Av and finally erupted two days later onto the Bet Hamikdash itself. On that fateful afternoon, Rage and Fury could be seen from all around Jerusalem, as the Crown Jewel, the Holy House of Hashem, lit the sky with angry hues of red and yellow.

Understandably, it would seem that the fast of Av is simply a shameful memory of Hashem’s fiery rebuke; a past we are eager to bury and forget about. However, our Sages tell us that this is not the case. Historically, noon-time on the 9th of Av was when the Bet Hamikdash began to burn, yet when noon-time arrives on the 9th of Av, rather than increase our grief, we actually begin showing signs of consolation! By the afternoon, we no longer sit on the floor, and even read from the Torah during Mincha (afternoon prayer). But during the preceding night and morning, these actions are forbidden due to the sorrow of the day. So why do we reduce our grieving at the precise time paralleling the actual destruction of the Temple?

Our Sages teach us that even though the 9th of Av is a day designated for sorrow, it is also a day demonstrating Hashem’s unfaltering mercy and love, even in times of reproach. The Talmud in Masechet Sanhedrin (Daf 38) states that out of Righteousness, Hashem hastened Jerusalem’s destruction. But the Talmud then asks, “What is so righteous about hastening a punishment? Wouldn’t it be more appropriate if Hashem, in his Mercy, delayed the punishment?” Ironically, the Talmud states that only the greatest mercy and love could necessitate the seemingly untimely destruction of the Temple. The Talmud explains that had Hashem waited until the nation reached a threshold of punishment, their destruction would have been complete. He thus hastened the destruction to allow for an eventual renewal and rebirth. This is akin to a father who severely disciplines his child before the child’s behavior causes irreversible harm.

Hashem similarly acted in our nation’s best interest when He barred Moshe Rabbeinu from reaching the holy land. Our Rabbis tell us that had Moshe entered the Land, he would have immediately built a Temple to Hashem. However, because of Moshe’s exalted holiness, a Temple built by his hand would be everlasting and impervious. Therefore, had Moshe been allowed into the Land and built the Temple, Hashem would have no atonement for the sins of the nation other than total annihilation. As our Sages tell us, Hashem displayed a bulk of his Anger on the stones of His house. Another example of Hashem’s mercy in the face of ruin was evident when he exiled His nation during the summer months. Our sages tell us that Hashem purposely ordained the warm season so that the exiled find ripe fruit along their march and also not suffer the cold winter.

What is clear from the above is that the 9th of Av is not a time for despair, but rather a time to focus on repentance, renewal and the promise of hope. If we train ourselves to find the silver linings amongst the grey clouds, we will understand that a sun still shines brightly behind the concealment. As much as we look to the past, we must also remember that we can take steps to ensure a brighter future. The 9th of Av is therefore a crossroads. We lament our deprived state of Exile, but also take upon ourselves to improve and once again draw close to Hashem.

 

Returning to Hashem with Joy

“No matter what happens, I Love you, and I know that deep down, you love me, too.” This is the small still voice we would hear if only we had the ears to hear it. As we transition from the sad day of Tisha B’av to the season of repentance, we may find ourselves looking back at the saddest period of the year and feel sad yet again. But it is important to remember the words of Tehilim as it speaks in the context of returning to Hashem: “Sing joyously to G-d, our Strength; raise a shout for the G-d of Jacob (Psalm 81:2).” Teshuva, returning to Hashem, is meant to be a joyful effort. And how can a person be joyful when regretting his sins? By realizing that he is returning to Hashem, who welcomes him with a loving embrace.

It is important to know that Teshuva is a mitzvah (Commandment) and not just an opportunity to rectify our wrongdoings. Hashem commands His children to return to Him because this is what He desires. This is clear from the Torah, as it is written (Ezekiel 33:11): “Say to them: As I live—declares the Lord G-D—it is not My desire that the wicked shall die, but that the wicked turn from his [evil] ways and live.” And our Sages have taught us in many places that all the Mitzvot (Commandments) must be performed with joy.

Now, the season of repentance culminates in Days of Judgment, the days of Rosh Hashana. Our Sages teach that Rosh Hashana is an awesome time of Yirah, a time of great awe and fear. During Rosh Hashana, all of Hashem’s creations stand before Him in Judgment as He inscribes them in the Book of Life or the Book of Death. Creation stands still; the Angels do not sing, and the Jewish Nation does not recite the Hallel. However, even at this most serious time, Hashem tempers the severity with a Mitzvah to be joyful.

The Prophet Nechemia declares: “Go, eat choice foods and drink sweet drinks and send portions to whoever has nothing prepared, for the day is holy to Hashem. Do not be sad, for your rejoicing in Hashem is the source of your strength.”

Hashem desires that we serve Him with Joy at all times. Whether it is in our repentance, or even on the most serious day of the year, Joy is the key to the Mitzvot.

As we move away from the Holiday of National Mourning, let us return to Hashem with Joy. We are assured that Hashem will  “…wipe the tears away from every face and put an end to the reproach of His people (Isiah 25:8)”. May all our Tefilot (prayers) be accepted and may Hashem help us joyfully return to Him in Awe and Love, Amen.

By BJL Staff