The Day After – 10 Av

In previous years, I’ve written about how our attempts to commemorate Tisha B’Av often feel shallow and lack true meaning. As expected, this year, many people took to social media to express the sentiment that “Never in the history of the Jews has Tisha B’Av been as poignant as this year.” While this may feel true in our lifetime, I disagree. The Jewish people have faced such moments before and have overcome them. Let me illustrate this with two examples.

In one post I encountered, it was suggested that Hamas was more cruel than the Nazis and their allies. This is a misunderstanding. Both were and are, embodiments of evil. I wasn’t in the mood to pray, so as I waited for the Tisha B’Av prayer service to start, I picked up a book titled The Unconquerable Spirit: The Dignity of Martyrdom.

The Children Speak
Every Sabbath morning, the remaining Jews in the Galician town of Sokol gathered at their rebbe’s home for services. On Saturday, August 15, 1942, the Gestapo raided the house, arresting 31 worshippers, including the rebbe’s young son. Still wearing their prayer shawls, they were herded onto trucks and driven to Gestapo headquarters, where they were all shot.

After the war, a Ukrainian police officer recounted what he had seen and heard that day. The rebbe’s young son, looking the Nazi hangman in the eye, said, “If you kill us, all the German people will pay for it! You’ll see! Your end is near!” In response, the German seized a hatchet and struck the boy down with one blow.

In another instance, all the Jews of Linovice were marched to a cemetery. Leading them was Rabbi Ahrele Rabin, dressed in his white shroud. The youngest among them was a small boy named Ephraim, son of Hannah. As they neared the cemetery, the rabbi reassured his congregation, telling them they would go directly to Paradise. Little Ephraim, holding the rabbi’s belt, cried, “Rabbi, please don’t leave me! Let me hold your hand so it won’t be so hard to die!” Together, they entered the cemetery, where they were all shot and buried in a mass grave.

The Arms Embargo
At the Kinot service I attended, Dr. David Luchins shared a story about the arms embargo during the 1973 Yom Kippur War. At the time, even the U.S. had an embargo in place. Moshe Dayan, in a desperate message to Senator Patrick Monahan, warned that if no weapons were sent, Israel would be lost. The decision ultimately fell to Henry Kissinger, who managed to save the day despite opposition from U.S. Defense Secretary James Schlesinger.

Dr. Luchins shared a poignant backstory. Kissinger’s parents were part of the Breuer community. In their synagogue, there was a wall commemorating soldiers from the community who fought in World War II, including Kissinger’s name. When Kissinger assimilated and intermarried, a delegation wanted his name removed. Rabbi Breuer, in his 90s, insisted, “If you take his name off, take mine off as well.” This story reminds us never to lose faith in people, as redemption is always possible.

Understanding the Present
Today, we face a narrative that distorts history. One lingering question we all asked – how the Holocaust could happen?. After the events of October 7th, I believe we now have our answers. The trauma is real, and the accusations of Israel being the coloniser, occupier, and committing genocide are false. The Palestinians have had many opportunities to build a peaceful, prosperous nation, yet they have chosen war, hatred, and evil.

The Soul of Israel: Resilience and Survival
This week’s Parsha and the commemoration of Tisha B’Av provide a backdrop for reflecting on Israel’s enduring strength and the ongoing challenges it faces on the world stage.

Drawing on insights from Melanie Phillips’ essay “The Madness Since October 7th,” this discussion explores the world’s fixation on Israel and the perplexing global response to atrocities committed against the Jewish people.

Phillips highlights Israel’s remarkable ability to survive despite relentless tragedies throughout history. However, she raises an urgent question: How can Israel overcome its persistent negative image? The reaction to the October 7th pogrom serves as a stark reminder of the unique, often irrational hatred directed at Israel.

We must start telling people: “You don’t like Zionism because you think Zionism is a colonialist enterprise? Let me tell you, Zionism is the liberation movement of the Jewish people against colonialism”. That’s the kind of thing the message we should deliver.

Or, as Hillel Fuld wrote:

Remaining silent today is the equivalent of witnessing first hand what the Nazis did and turning a blind eye. Remaining silent and neutral in this war is immoral.
Defending Hamas or demanding Israel cease its fire and not finish the job is immoral.

Changing the Narrative

To alter this narrative, it is crucial to stop echoing destructive mantras that undermine the foundations of Judaism, Israel, and Western civilization. Diaspora Jews, in particular, must take a more robust stand for Israel, telling truths long left unsaid. It’s not enough to play the victim; instead, Jews must go on the offensive, challenging misconceptions about Zionism and the Jewish connection to the land of Israel.

A Connection to the Land: The Parsha’s Lessons

This week’s Parsha emphasizes the deep connection between the Jewish people and their land, as well as the importance of living by the laws handed down by God. Despite Israel’s many contributions to the world, it remains vilified and misunderstood.

וְעַתָּ֣ה יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל שְׁמַ֤ע אֶל־הַֽחֻקִּים֙ וְאֶל־הַמִּשְׁפָּטִ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֧ר אָֽנֹכִ֛י מְלַמֵּ֥ד אֶתְכֶ֖ם לַעֲשׂ֑וֹת לְמַ֣עַן תִּֽחְי֗וּ וּבָאתֶם֙ וִֽירִשְׁתֶּ֣ם אֶת־הָאָ֔רֶץ אֲשֶׁ֧ר יְהֹוָ֛ה אֱלֹהֵ֥י אֲבֹתֵיכֶ֖ם נֹתֵ֥ן לָכֶֽם׃
And now, O Israel, give heed to the laws and rules that I am instructing you to observe, so that you may live to enter and occupy the land that יהוה, the God of your fathers, is giving you.

Following this, we have what could be the foundation of the purpose of Judaism and being a light of the nations. Quoting Deuteronomy 4:6
ושמרתם ועשיתם כי הוא חכמתכם ובינתכם לעיני העמים אשר ישמעון את כל־החקים האלה ואמרו רק עם־חכם ונבון הגוי הגדול הזה׃
Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and understanding in the sight of the nations, who, when they shall hear all these statutes, shall say, surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.

So, let’s fast forward to today. Are we a light to the Nations? This is a universalistic calling. It calls for the people living in their Land of Israel to share wisdom and understanding.

Unfortunately, despite our best efforts in Hitech, humanitarian aid, exporting MedTech, saving lives, and bringing Agro Tech to the world, the IDF is the most compassionate army in the world. It gives equal opportunity to all citizens and freedom of religion. Yet, the world vilifies and hates us.

We are plagued by particularism, sectarianism (putting group Interests before others) and a lack of unity even amongst the religious who at least keep the commandments.

The Missing Element: God in the Conversation
The discourse about Israel and Judaism lacks recognition of God. Without acknowledging a higher power, the world is left with chaos, wars, and a lack of respect for differing views. The Abraham Accords offer a glimpse of what is possible when faith is brought back into the conversation.

The Day After Tisha B’Av

In his piece “The Day After Tisha B’Av,” Tal Becker writes, “Victory is not about defeating our enemies — though that is a necessary component of any long-term strategy. It is about what we build. We must emerge from this testing moment recommitted to a future where all peoples — Muslims, Jews, Christians, Palestinians, and Israelis — prosper and live in dignity.”

This includes our unity, strategy, and desire for peace and a better world. Reflecting on the destruction of Jerusalem and the loss of sovereignty, we see the importance of being pragmatic and building alliances today.

https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/the-10th-of-av/

A Call for Redemption

The need for compassion and redemption becomes clear as we reflect on Tisha B’Av and enter Shabbat Nachamu. The world, like Israel, is in desperate need of a moral compass guided by the wisdom of the Torah. It’s time to retell Israel’s story, not as one of mere survival but as a story of thriving in adversity. The resilience of the Jewish people is a testament to the strength and spirit that will carry Israel forward.

In conclusion, this reflection calls for a renewed focus on Israel’s divine mission to be a light unto the nations. By bringing God back into the conversation and standing firm in our convictions, we can illuminate a path to a more just and moral world for all.

Appendix: Further Readings

1. Searching for Meaning

In this reflection, I explore the significance of the three weeks leading up to Tisha B’Av. It’s not just about remembering past tragedies but also about contemplating the present and future. The Jewish connection to the land of Israel, deeply rooted in our history and identity, faces ongoing challenges from those who deny this bond. The events of October 7th and the global reactions to them expose a troubling pattern of hypocrisy and misunderstanding.

• Link: https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/fasting-for-a-better-future/

2. Shouting Out for Zion

This piece, written a few years ago, reflects on the Three Weeks and Nine Days leading up to Tisha B’Av. It highlights the disconnect many Jews feel from the significance of the Beit Mikdash (Holy Temple) and the idea of Zionism. It is a call to action for Jews to reconnect with their heritage, understand the importance of Jerusalem, and advocate for the Jewish state’s future.

• Link: https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/the-three-weeks-seeing-the-good-in-others/

3. The Day After Tisha B’Av

In this reflection, I discuss the importance of carrying the lessons of Tisha B’Av beyond the day itself. The day after should not be business as usual but a time to reflect on the pain and suffering in the world and find ways to move forward with compassion and resilience. This is particularly relevant in the aftermath of tragic events, as we look to build a better future while remembering those who have been lost.

• Link: https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/the-day-after-tisha-bav/