B"H

Friday, Menachem Av 3, 5786 / July 17, 2026

This Shabbat we begin the fifth Book of the Torah, the Book of Deuteronomy, with the reading of Parshat Devarim. This Parsha is always read before the fast of the ninth of Av. This year the fast begins Wednesday night through Thursday.

The Book of Devarim are Moshe’s final words to the Jewish people before his passing. He reminds them of all their mistakes over the forty years he led them through the desert. He reminds them about their sin with the Golden Calf; their rebellion when they wanted to return to Egypt; their complaining about the manna from heaven and their sin of sending the spies to scout the Promised Land, which resulted in their staying in the desert for forty years.

Moshe warns them, as they are about to enter into the Promised Land, that if they want to stay in the land forever, they must adhere to G-d’s words and not repeat their mistakes of the past.

Q.   To which particular sin are the destructions of the Two Holy Temple attributed?

A.   Our sages tell us that the sin that destroyed the first Temple was the sin of idol worshipping. The sin which caused the destruction of the Second Temple was unjust hatred and strife among Jews. 

The Talmud relates the following episode as an example of the hatred which took place amongst Jews at that time and as a result the Second Temple was destroyed.

One of the wealthy people of Jerusalem threw a party. He had a friend called Kamtza and a foe named Bar-Kamtza.  He sent his servant to invite his friend, Kamtza to the party, but the servant mistakenly invited his enemy, Bar-Kamtza.

When the host noticed Bar Kamtza at the party he ordered him, in front of everyone, to leave. To avoid being embarrassed in public, Bar Kamtza offered to pay for his share of the meal. When this didn’t work, he offered to pay for half of the party. When this didn’t work either, Bar Kamtza offered to pay for the entire party. This didn’t work either and he was made, in view of everyone there with great embarrassment, to leave the party.  Bar Kamtza then went to the emperor and told him that the Jews were rebelling against him, which in the end resulted in the destruction of the Second Temple.

The purpose of recalling and mourning the destruction of the Temples is to bring about positive results. During this time, we go to great lengths in showing our care and love for others. For this reason, it is customary to give extra charity during this time of the year.

May we merit Moshiach speedily in our days.

SHABBAT  SHALOM

Montreal candle lighting time: 8:20 / Shabbat ends: 9:32