A Straight-ahead look on Navigating an Exit from Exile.
By Rabbi Yehoshua S. Hecht
Beth Israel Chabad of Westport/Norwalk CT
Presidium Member Rabbinical Alliance of America
Wednesday Eve – July 1st the Jewish world is entering into the straits of Tammuz. Known in Hebrew as Bein HaMetzarim literally “between the straits” of the 17th of Tammuz and concluding with the 9th of Av (Tisha B’Av) marking the breaching of Jerusalem’s protective walls by the ancient Babylonians, during the first temple period in 423 BCE and the rupturing of Jerusalem’s walls, by the Romans in 69 BCE, and three week later, the 9th of Av, marking the destruction of both the first and the second temple.
Thus the 9th of Av is the saddest day of the year, and is observed as a 24-hour fast day, with the recitation of many elegies and mournful prayers marking the tragedy’s associated with the 17th of Tammuz – 9th of Av period.
For a total of 830 years — from 833 to 423 BCE and again from 349 BCE to 69 CE — the first and then the second temple (Beit- HaMikdosh) in Jerusalem served as the focal point of Judaism and the Jewish people.
So central was this edifice to our lives as Jews, that nearly two-thirds of the Mitzvot (commandments of the Torah) are contingent upon its existence. Its destruction is regarded as the greatest tragedy of our history, and its rebuilding will mark the ultimate redemption — the restoration of harmony within G-d’s creation and all of humanity. (Chabad.org)
With the restoration of the third eternal Temple in Jerusalem, the Messianic era of world peace and redemption of the world will be a reality.
This year as we navigate the straits between the dates of 17th of Tammuz (July 2nd) and Tisha B’Av (July 23rd) we need to adhere to the straightforward and unambiguous direction of our Prophets, and later on by the Sages as recorded in the Talmud. Namely, to strengthen our sense of responsibility for each other as a Jewish people. A sense of unity and support, expressing love and brotherhood towards each other. Less criticism, and more acts of encouragement and help for one another. It begins within our nuclear family, parents, siblings, extended family and then by extension the community at large.
As G-D sees His people uniting as one, making the efforts and navigating our interactions with others, through sensitivity, respect and care, the people of Israel and all of world Jewry, will have the merit to direct the blessings of peace, security and prosperity, both material and spiritual, for all the world to enjoy.
Let us take the words of the Prophet Isaiah (4:3-5) to heart:
In the days to come,
The Mount of G-D’s House
Shall stand firm above the mountains
And tower above the hills;
And all the nations
Shall gaze on it with joy.
And the many peoples shall go and say:
“Come,
Let us go up to the Mount of G-D,
To the House of the G-d of Jacob;
That we may be instructed in God’s ways,
And that we may walk in G-d’s paths.”
For instruction shall come forth from Zion,
The word of G-D from Jerusalem.
Thus [G-d] will judge among the nations
And arbitrate for the many peoples,
And they shall beat their swords into plowshares
And their spears into pruning hooks:
Nation shall not take up
Sword against nation;
They shall never again know war.
׃
O House of Jacob!
Come, let us walk
By the light of G-D.
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