Tisha B’Av, the 9th day of Hebrew month of Av,
time to remember destruction of Jerusalem and pray for future.
שבת שלום
Model Jewish Temple
Nine Days of Av
Rosh Chodesh Av starts the annual period of mourning in the Jewish calendar before the fast of Tisha b’Av, the 9th of the month of Av, which commemorates the destruction of both the First and Second Temples and other catastrophic events that befell the Jewish people.
With restrictions on live music, eating meat and drinking wine, there is a more somber mood this week in Jerusalem, Israel.
This year, however, the World Cup final provided and excuse for some to hold large gatherings to watch the game: at the Tower of David, street cafes and many outdoor venues.
This summer there is something new called Auto Ochel, food trucks in Valley of Hinnom. The restaurants featured this week provided dairy meals for the Nine Days.
For this week, celebrations are limited, as for example, no Jewish weddings are held, in order to remember the destruction.
This model of the Second Temple stands outside at the Israel Museum.
Inside the museum a stone salvaged from its destruction in Jerusalem so many centuries ago is on display.
This time of year I remember the beautiful town of Yamit which was destroyed in 1981 in order to return every grain of sand in the Sinai peninsula back to Egypt as part of the peace treaty.
Thirteen years have passed since summer of destruction of Gush Katif. These beautiful homes were in one of the Israeli communities destroyed.
We are no closer to the promised peace.
Israeli fields have gone up in smoke over past three months. 7,400 acres were burnt.
Today two incendiary balloons from Gaza landed in a nursery school playground.
In this photo from Operation Pillar of Defense, November 2012, children in Sderot played inside the bomb-protected playground as missiles were launched at them from Gaza.
Who remembers the Truth about Gaza?
Thousands of pilgrims walked up these steps to the Holy Temples of old.
This week we remember the destruction in Jerusalem.
Ir David, City of David, is having a summer festival after Tisha B’Av, with camel rides and workshops.
The 35 th Jerusalem Film Festival begins next week, followed by the annual Wine Festival at the Israel Museum.
Next week we look forward to weddings, music and celebrations, and building new homes, with hope for the future.
After Fasting and Praying for Rain, Shabbat Shalom
The tenth day of tenth Hebrew month,
Asara B’Tevet is a fast day.
It marks the beginning of the siege of Jerusalem
which culminated in the destruction of the First Temple in 586 BCE
and the exile to Babylon.
This model of the Holy Temple sits outside the Israel Museum
and this inscribed corner stone from the Second Temple is on display inside.
Another model sits on the roof of the Aish HaTorah Center in the Old City,
with the Dome of the Rock showing in the background.
Thousands of people attended
special prayers for rain held yesterday at the Kotel,
the Western Wall, as Asara b’Tevet was coming to an end.
Farmers are complaining of poor growing conditions
because of the lack of rain and the warm weather.
But the weather was good for weddings this week.
So many weddings,
and each night the blessings ended with
“Soon, Lord our God, may there be heard in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem,
the sounds of joy and gladness,
the sounds of the bridegroom and bride…”
The sun set, and the fast was over.
Time to prepare for Shabbat.
From the days of old
to the present,
may there always be singing
in the streets of Jerusalem.
Shabbat Shalom.
שבת שלום