B"H
Monday, Menachem Av 8, 5784 / August 12, 2024
Tonight (Monday night), begins the fast of Tisha B’Av (9th of Av), through Tuesday. The fast lasts 25 hours. Check the exact time when the fast begins and ends in your city.
Both Holy Temples were destroyed on this day(about 500 years apart). In addition to burning the Temple, the Romans decreed that the site where the Holy Temple stood be plowed and desecrated.
Also, on Tisha B’Av, G-d decreed that the men, between the ages of 20-60, who came out of Egypt, will die in the desert for refusing to enter into The Promised Land.
Another occurrence on Tisha B’Av was the falling of the city of Betar, from where Bar Kochba fiercely fought the Romans. Many hundreds of thousands of Jews were killed in Betar.
On the 9th of Av in the year 5252 (1492) Jews were expelled from Spain.
Q. Why is the Book of Lamentations, which is read on Tisha B'Av, in which the prophet Jeremiah describes the destruction of the Holy Temple, not required to be written on parchment like the Megilat Esther (Scroll of Esther), which records the miracle of Purim?
A. There is a fundamental difference between Purim and Tisha B'Av. Our sages tell us that Purim will be an everlasting holiday. When Moshiach will come, we will still be celebrating Purim. Thus, the story of Purim is recorded on parchment, for it is permanent, just as the rest of the Torah.
However, the story of Tisha B'Av which deals with Jewish suffering and the destruction of the Temples is temporary! When Moshiach will come and G-d will rebuild the Holy Temple - the day of Tisha B'Av will be transformed into a holiday of rejoicing. Thus, we do not record the Book of Lamentations, which we read on Tisha B'Av, on parchment.
Due to the fact that on the 9th of Av we are all considered mourners, Tuesday’s morning (Shacharit) prayer is recited without the Tallit and Tefillin. Instead, we will wear the Tallit and Tefillin for the afternoon (Mincha) prayer.
In the special prayer of "Nachem" which is recited in the Mincha prayer on the fast of Tisha B'Av, we say, "For You G-d consumed her [the Temple] with fire and with fire you will rebuild her." The Holy Temples were destroyed through fire, but the third Temple will also be built with fire. Fire represents feelings and emotions. Just as the destruction of the Temple was due to negative emotions, fire of hatred and strife, so too, the rebuilding of the Temple will be as a result of positive emotions – the fire of love and caring for each other.
The Talmud says, "Whoever mourns for Jerusalem and the Temples will ultimately see and partake in its rejoicing!" May it be speedily in our days. Amen.
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HEALTHY & SUCCESSFUL DAY & EASY FAST
Torah Fax will not be published regularly during the month of August
UNITED WE STAND WITH OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CAPTIVITY. MAY THEY ALL BE RELEASED NOW.