The lessons of destructions past

According to Jewish tradition, the 17th of Tammuz, commemorated today with fasting and introspection, marks the date of numerous tragedies throughout our people’s history. Notably, this was the day that the Tablets were broken, and it was the day that the walls to the city of Jerusalem were brought down, leading to the eventual destruction of the Temple on the Ninth of the Av.

One would think that we should focus primarily on the destruction of the Temple because of course that was the ultimate tragedy. Certainly, the fact that the walls were penetrated was a step in that tragic process, but why is, it in and of itself, worthy of its own commemoration and fast day?

Our sages teach that this period of the “three weeks” between the 17th of Tammuz and the Ninth of Av, the day of the Temple’s actual destruction, symbolizes a distinct path towards eventual destruction and tragedy. Every tragedy is a process – it doesn’t just erupt but is based on some sort of progression and key events leading up to it.

We therefore need to understand that the Churban – the Destruction – is in essence the culmination of a process, albeit a deeply tragic and painful one. It would be delusional to think that the horrific events of that day came out of nowhere and could not have been foreseen or even planned for.

So too in our days, the events of October 7th represented nothing less than a day that can only be defined in the Jewish lexicon as a Churban – an utter moment of destruction, loss, and pain that will remain with us for generations to come. But similar to past destructions, it too is a climax of the events that preceded it.

When we understand that tragedies are the result of a progression of events, we can identify the factors that might allow us to stop them or avoid them well before they come to pass. As we commemorate today’s 17th of Tammuz fast, our responsibility is to turn our focus to identifying such roots of tragedy and destruction, and not just the destruction itself.

Today, as we mark nearly ten months from that horrific Shabbat day, we are forced to acknowledge that we remain entrenched in a process of internal destruction. This is a process we must recognize and find ways to stop.

The reality is that while we are ultimately united as a people in defeating a common external enemy, very significant and painful cracks remain within our midst. Whether along political, social, cultural, or religious lines, we continue to fail to create a sense of national unity that is crucial if we are to avoid the next potential disaster. Jewish history and tradition have taught us that we always have the chance to repent and to focus on internal introspection, to change our spiritual and national courses. We have neither the right nor the luxury to say it is “too late to change.”

The first step must be to admit that change is necessary. We must commit ourselves to accepting others who might think or act differently in ways that will restore that sense of national unity that remains so painfully elusive. On days like today, we have a national responsibility to learn from the past, both ancient and very recent, to work towards identifying and preventing future tragedies. If we do so, with God’s blessing, we can hope for better, safer, more united and peaceful days ahead.