Monday, July 15, 2013

Tisha B'Av

How does the city sit solitary, that was full of people! How is she become like a widow! 

She that was great among the nations, and princess among the provinces, how is she a vassel! 

She weeps sore into the night, and her tears are on her cheeks; among all her lovers she has none to comfort her; all her friends have dealt treacherously with her, they have become enemies. 

Judah is gone into exile because of affliction, and because of great servitude; she dwells among the nations, she finds no rest; all the persecutors overtook her within the straits.Opening verses of Eicha. Translation courtesy the Koren Kinos Mesores HaRav. 

The Bayis Sheni (Second Temple) was destroyed some 2000 years ago.  Sinas Chinam - baseless hatred which caused its destruction - now seems greater than ever! While on this day, we all mourn the destruction of both the first and second Temples in Jerusalem, we await the re-building of the third. Sometimes I wonder: Will we ever deserve getting it back?