Tisha B'Av

My blog for today is a post sent to me by Bell Wholesale Travel - - the Travel Agency through whom I journeyed on my last trip to Israel (with Christian Coalition of Washington and Rick Forcier as our leader).  This post reminds me once again that God is a God of design - - and we should pay attention.  The list of awful events occurring on this particular date cannot be circumstantial.

Tisha B'Av Dear Christian Zionist Friends: This Saturday night, July 28, 2012, at 8:30pm until Sunday, July 29, 2012, at 8:45pm, is the fast of Tisha B'Av - the saddest day on the Jewish calendar.  "Tisha B'Av," (the NInth of Av) is the date on which both of our Holy Temples were destroyed, and exile, persecution and spiritual darkness began.  It is a day of communal mourning.  Aside from mourning our painful history, we take an honest look at our own behavior and sins. On Tisha B'Av, five national calamities occurred: During the time of Moses, Jews in the desert accepted the slanderous report of the 10 Spies, and the decree was issued forbidding them from entering the Land of Israel. (1312 BCE) The First Temple was destroyed by the Babylonians, led by Nebuchadnezzar. 100,000 Jews were slaughtered and millions more exiled.  (586 BCE) The Second Temple was destroyed by the Romans, led by Titus.  Some two million Jews died, and another one million were exiled.  (70 CE) The Bar Kochba revolt was crushed by Roman Emperor Hadrian.  The city of Betar - the Jews' last stand against the Romans - was captured and liquidated.  Over 100,000 Jews were slaughtered.  (135 CE) The Temple area and its surroundings were plowed under by the Roman general Turnus Rufus.  Jerusalem was rebuilt as a pagan city - renamed Aelia Capitolina - and access was forbidden to Jews. Other grave misfortunes throughout Jewish history occurred on The Ninth of Av, including: The Spanish Inquisition culminated with the expulsion of Jews from Spain on Tisha B'Av in 1492. World War One broke out on the eve of Tisha B'Av in 1914 when Germany declared war on Russia.  German resentment from the war set the stage for the Holocaust. On the eve of Tisha B'Av 1942, the mass deportation began of Jews from the Warsaw Ghetto, en route to Treblinka. Aspects of Mourning:  The Afternoon Before Tisha B'Av. During the afternoon prior to Tisha B'Av, it is customary to eat a full meal in preparation for the fast. At the end of the afternoon, we eat the Seudah Hamaf-Seket - a meal consisting only of bread, water and a hard-boiled egg. The egg has two symbols:  The round shape reminds us of a sign of the cycle of life.  Also, the egg is the only food which gets harder the more it is cooked - a symbol of the Jewish people's ability to withstand persecution. Food eaten at the Seudah Hamaf-Seket is dipped in ashes, symbolic of mourning.  The meal should perferably be eaten alone, while seated on the ground in mourner's fashion. When the afternoon prior to Tisha B'Av occurs on Shabbat, there is no Seudah-Hamaf-Seket with eggs and ashes.  Rather, the regular Shabbat "third meal" is eaten, albeit without guests and fanfare.  As there is no mourning on Shabbat. Prayer on Tisha B'Av Lights in the synagogue are dimmed, candles are lit, and the curtain is removed from the Ark.  The cantor leads the prayers in a low, mournful voice.  This reminds us of the Divine Presence which departed from the Holy Temple. Following both the night and day service, special "kinot" (elegies) are recited. In the morning, the Torah portion of Deuteronomy 4:25-40 is read, containing the prophecy regarding Israel's future iniquity and exile.  This is followed by the Haftorah from Jeremiah (8:13, 9:1-23) describing the desolation of Zion. In the afternoon, Exodus 32:11-14 is read.  This is followed by the Haftora from Isaiah 55-56. Since Tallis and Tefillin represent glory and decoration, they are not worn at Shacharit.  Rather, they are worn at Mincha, as certain mourning restrictions are lifted.  The Book of Eicha (Lamentations), Jeremiah's poetic lament over the destruction of Jerusalem and the First Temple, is read both at night and during the day. Birkat Kohanim (blessing of the Cohens) is said only at Mincha, (afternoon prayer) not at Shacharit (morning prayer). Prayers for comforting Zion and "Aneinu" are inserted into the Amidah prayer at Mincha. Shortly after the fast is broken, it is customary to say Kiddush Lavana.  (blessing of the moon) This year Tisha B'Av falls on Shabbat, and the fasting is pushed off until Sunday.  This gives us an opportunity for the gladmess, the sense of deep connection with our loved ones and the world, but without the attendant sadness. It is a tradition, that Tisha B'Av is also the birthday of our Redeemer.  This symbolizes the idea that from the ashes of the destroyed temple will rise an incomparably magnificent edifice; exile will give birth to redemption.  Thus Tisha B'Av is also a day of anticipation and hope, for: "One Who Mourns Jerusalem Will Merit To See Her happiness." Shabbat Shalom Madeleine Cohen