B"H
Monday, Menachem Av 8, 5777 / July 31, 2017
Tonight(Monday night) begins the fast of the 9th of Av, the fast of Tisha B’Av, which continues through Tuesday. The fast commemorates the destruction of the two Holy Temples in Jerusalem.
Both Temples were destroyed on the 9th of Av, approx. 500 years apart. The first Temple, which was built by King Solomon, stood for 410 years. The second Temple stood for 420 years.
Although, the 9th of Av, the day when the Temples were destroyed, was set as a fast in which we mourn the destruction of the Temples, yet we remember the Temple and the Holy city of Jerusalem each day of the year in our daily prayers and in the blessings of the Grace-after-Meal.
The Temple Mount was purchased by King David, as recorded in Scriptures. He bought the land and made the plans for the Temple, which was built by his son, King Solomon.
The city of Jerusalem and the Temple Mount have been holy places to us Jews for the past 3,000 years - long before any other religion claimed it as their holy place. Over 3,000 years ago, King David said, “If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand be forgotten.”
Three times each day, in the Amidah prayer, we ask G-d, “Return us in mercy to Jerusalem your city and dwell in it as you have promised; speedily establish therein the throne of David Your servant, and rebuild it, soon in our days as an everlasting edifice. Blessed are You, L-rd who rebuilds Jerusalem.”
In the Grace-after-Meal we also pray for the rebuilding of Jerusalem and the Holy Temple; “Have mercy, L-rd our G-d, upon Israel Your people, upon Jerusalem your city, upon Zion the place of your glory, upon the kingship of the House of David Your anointed…”
At the conclusion of the marriage ceremony, the groom breaks a glass. This is to remember the destruction of the Holy Temples.
Although the physical structure of the Temple has been destroyed, yet, the spiritual aspect, the holiness which rested in the Temple, remained there forever. Our sages say, “G-d’s glory never left the Temple Mount.” For thousands of years Jews prayed at the Western Wall of the Temple Mount, the holiest site in Judaism. It is where G-d tested Abraham commanding him to bring his son, Isaac, as a sacrifice on this mountain.
No matter how much the UN will try to re-write and distort the history of the Temple Mount, the truth remains the truth. The holy city of Jerusalem and the Temple mount is G-d’s everlasting gift to the Jewish people. May we merit the coming of MoshiachNOW!
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY & SUCCESSFUL DAY & EASY FAST
Montreal time: Fast begins: Monday night: 8:23 / Fast ends: Tuesday night: 9:00