October 7th and the 9th of Av

October 7th and the 9th of Av

Right now we’re in the period known as the “Three Weeks” in the Jewish calendar.

A time of mourning over many tragedies that have befallen the Jewish people, mainly the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple that stood there thousands of years ago.

This mourning culminates and reaches its peak on the 9th of Av, a day of fasting and prayer that marks the actual anniversary of the catasrophe of both the 1st and 2nd Temples being destroyed by enemies of the Nation of Israel.

Three Weeks. 21 days. And then comes the 9th of Av (the 22nd day).

You know what other time period in the Jewish calendar lasts 21 days?

The time from Rosh Hashanah until the last day of Sukkot.

And then on the 22nd day comes Sheminei Atzeret/Simchat Torah, which this year was October 7th this year.

Simchat Torah is arguably the most joyous day in the entire Jewish calendar during which Jews dance for hours with the Torah, celebrating the core and essence of their very identity and purpose in this world.

This past Rosh Hashanah, and during the days that followed, nobody in their right mind could have imagine that Simchat Torah would turn from a day of immense joy to intense shock, pain and tragedy.

But it did. In a way the Jewish people will remember for generations to come.

Which gets me thinking.

The 9th of Av, though long ago it has earned the infamous designation as being the saddest day in the Jewish calendar, is also called a “moed” in the Hebrew Bible, a festival, because one day it will turn into a great day of joy and celebration.

And now that we saw one of our greatest days of joy (Simchat Day/October 7th) turn into a deep day of destruction and mourning, maybe this year our faith will be strengthened that we actually can and will see our greatest day of mourning transform into a day of celebration, ushering in a new era for the Jewish people and all of humanity.

I sure do hope.

Because the time has come.

For an end to the pain. An end to the suffering. An end to the mourning.

Time for a new beginning and a new chapter of the human story.

We’ve already had our 9th of Av this year.

It took place on October 7th.

Now it’s time for unbounded joy and celebration, redemption and salvation.

May it be so on this 9th of Av.