Tisha Ba’av 2025 – If I wrote a Kinna today….

I would never dream of having the ability or the right to write a Kinna—a Tisha B’Av lamentation—but as I sit here in the early morning of Tisha B’Av 2025, I find myself imagining what one might look like today. If I were to write one, it would include the following:

• Images of the two hostages Evyatar and Rom I can’t shake from my head, emaciated and hollow-eyed, whose suffering has been brazenly displayed as propaganda—just 40 kilometers or so from where I live. The overwhelming sadness of knowing I can do so little to help them and that there are more of them probably in worse condition.
• A world that seems indifferent, or worse—one that accuses me of being sub-human for caring deeply about these hostages, while simultaneously accusing me of genocide. A modern-day antisemitic blood libel unfolding before our eyes.
• Despite the UN’s own recent report stating that over 85% of humanitarian aid is being stolen by Hamas, the world remains more comfortable blaming Israel. Facts seem powerless against entrenched narratives.
• Like the ancient Kinna recounting the burning of the Talmud in Paris, I would write of today’s Paris—where Jews are advised to use a special app called “Monit” to find Hebrew-speaking or Israel-friendly drivers, and where we are warned to hide our Jewish identity to avoid harassment or assault. I would lament that this is being replicated across the world.
• I would write of the pain of dear friends who lost their son on October 7, and at the same time, the pride of having a son who fought bravely in Nahal Oz and Be’eri—facing vicious terrorists to stop the invasion. The unbearable contrast of grief and pride, side by side.
• I would also add my sadness at the tragedy of all loss of life at the hands of terrorists, and lament the false accusation that I am trying to commit genocide myself—a chilling return to the old-fashioned antisemitism where truth is reversed and the victim is cast as the villain.
• I would reflect on the pain we are experiencing, and though I don’t fully understand why it is happening, I would pray that we examine our own actions and that we confront the internal strife and Sinat Chinam—baseless hatred—that led to the destruction of the Second Temple and continues to plague our society today.
• And I would end with hope. Hope that, just as Jews have survived every tragedy before, we will survive this one too. That those who lost loved ones on October 7 and since will find comfort. That the hostages will be freed. That we overcome our divisions and remain united. That the strength and beauty we see in the eyes of our young fighters will guide us toward a secure future. And that G-d will lead us toward final redemption.

We should have a meaningful Tisha Ba’av and it should be our last one!