Tisha Ba’av 24

Tisha Ba’av – 2024 – unlike any other I have known

Tisha Ba’av is a day of national mourning for the Jewish people on which we amalgamate all terrible tragedies into one 25 hour long day of fasting and mourning.

For many years it was a tough day – the holocaust was behind us and the prayers reminding us of temples long gone and pogroms long distant were hard to connect to. I lived in a generation when the Israel was revived and Jews were living well in the world. Despite this Israelis – religious and secular – have always seen it as an inauspicious time – a day for example when the stock market doesn’t open.

Enter 2023. The two temples that stood in Jerusalem in times long ago were the symbols of nationhood. But as each approached their 75th year of existence, each society started to disintegrate because of internal strife and infighting leading ultimately to their destruction.

This third experiment in Jewish sovereignty pre October 7th faced its toughest period of internal strife and infighting ever and post 7th one of its toughest threats in its fight for existence after the single worst atrocity in its existence. As we go into Tisha Ba’av we even have our enemies actually threatening to take advantage of the symbolism of the day to attack us.

This must force us to reflect and regroup. Not only do we need to take on an adversary but we must look into ourselves and resolve – each of us in our own way – to prevent the fractiousness and disunity and baseless hatred we feel for each other.

I must do too…NIMBY (not in my back yard) must not apply to me also. I need to look at those who differ from me religiously, ideologically and socially and remember that they too are family and that we must see each other as such as bring up our kids to love.

It is customary on this day to recite Kinnot – a lament – and this one written for 7th October should be amongst them. A few extracts from the lament linked below written by Rav Rimon – https://lnkd.in/dzQueKbj

How, in the 76th year,
There were pillars of smoke, blood and fire,
A Jew in hiding, whispering in fear,
Instead of the joy of the holy Shabbat

Waves of hate engulf Your world,
Oppressors swarm over those who sanctify Your name,
They chase Your messengers, those who carry Your flag,
May You skip over us with love.

Return the hostages, call for freedom for those in captivity,
Plant those who have been uprooted with everlasting love,
Rehabilitate the wounded, raise up the depressed,
Lead Your congregation with kindness and mercy.

We give thanks to You for our State,
And for our redemption and the salvation of our soul,
United lead us upright in our land…

I pray that we take the time to mourn our losses and more than that see it as a time to reflect on how we will rebuild in a way which strengthens our family.

I am confident we will emerge from this a stronger people despite tragic losses…but it will take work and prayer.