Darkness is a Concentration of Light

The best part of being Jewish is that we have the choice and opportunity to get out of our head, surrender completely for what’s to come with various ups and downs , and understanding how our journey got us to our destination. It is hard work, it is constant awareness of the present moment, allowing ourselves to feel it all, while knowing there will be more to the story.

I have been listening online and going to many classes talking about the three weeks, nine days, and Tisha B Av, which is the saddest day on the Jewish calendar. This Sunday we will fast, remembering the destruction of both of the Temples, one during Babylonian times, and the other by the Roman empire.

Many of the most destructive events in Jewish history happened during the past three weeks, but all of the learning is about the miracles that will come, and that we aways focus on bringing our light into the darkness.

One of my favorite teachers is Olivia Schwartz. I love how she goes deep, and this week all about the Arizal, who passed away during the nine days. Everything is light, even darkness is concentrated light. This statement is how I view the world, but I also appreciate this time to go into feelings and learn how to process and express ourselves.

Every class is about how to turn around our feelings of despair and sadness into a lesson, a move forward and looking for a light at the end of the tunnel. I went to a unique Torah class called bibliodrama, lead by Yael Unterman. We embody each character and contemplated and shared how the person would react from our own perspective. We learned passages from one of our Matriarchs, Rachel Imeinu, and fascinating stories from the Talmud about Rabbi Akiva laughing when he saw a fox at the destruction of the second temple, while everyone else was crying. He understood that the fox was part of a prophecy, so the future redemption is on the way too!

We just had an amazing Shabbat, and now have started our fast. I read the whole day about how important it is to shine our light on darkness. Each individual has to hold themselves responsible, how we speak, and how we treat others. I read an amazing story in Torah Tidbits about a beggar who miraculously was able to wed his son to a daughter of a very prestigious Rabbi. The townspeople were shocked, because the beggar was accused of a horrific crime. The Rabbi saw his light, and changed his life because it was later found out that he stepped in to take the blame, in order to help someone else. You can read all about it at this link: https://assets.torahtidbits.com/2025/07/30193002/Torah-Tidbits-Parshat-Devarim-Issue-1623.pdf

Unfortunately on day 666, Evyatar David, a hostage in Hamas was shown emaciated and digging his grave in a video. We have to do our part, spread the truth, fast and pray for our brothers and sisters, eliminate Hamas and bring the hostages home now!

Wishing everyone a Meaningful Fast.