The eve of Tisha B’Av – then vs. now

On the eve of this Tisha B’Av, Israel is on the highest state of alert as the country braces for the much-expected attack from Hezbollah and/or Iran which may then lead to an all-out regional war. Flights to and from Israel have been cancelled, safe-rooms in homes throughout the country have been stocked with food and supplies, and the anxiety and fear of what might happen at any moment are palpable.

The situation in Israel today is eerily reminiscent of that in Jerusalem on the eve of the two destructions. Jerusalem had been besieged for roughly 30 months before the city and Temple were destroyed by the mighty Babylonian forces on Tisha B’Av 586 BCE, and the city was besieged for roughly five months before the destruction at the hands of the powerful Romans on Tisha B’Av 70 CE. Thus, on the eve of Tisha B’Av the residents of Jerusalem, like the citizens of Israel today, must have been overwhelmed by anxiety and fear.

But there is one crucial difference between then and now. While the Jews in First and Second Temple times had no realistic chances of overcoming their enemies and the destruction was inevitable, Israel today boasts one of the most powerful armies in the world. Thus, whatever fear and anxiety we have, those of our enemies are far worse, whatever pain they can inflict on us we can inflict on them ten-fold, and whatever attack they may launch against us will sooner lead to their defeat and destruction than our own.

So as we commemorate the two destructions, let us take comfort in the fact that we today, unlike the Jews in First and Temple times, are here to stay.

Am Yisrael Chai!