This evening marks the end of a day of mourning for the Jewish people. Today was Tisha B'av - the 9th day of the month of Av - and a day of absolute fasting where people are required to neither eat nor drink for a 24-hour period.
Why this kind of mourning, and why today? It all started in the wilderness, where Jewish tradition says the Israelites refused to go into the promised land after ten of the twelve spies brought back a negative report. That day was Tisha B'av.
Centuries later, the original temple constructed by Solomon was destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 B.C. The day this took place was Tisha B'av.
Fast forward another few centuries and the second temple, built by returning exiles from Babylon and refurbished on the grandest of scales by Herod the Great in the time of Jesus, was destroyed by the Romans. The year was 70 A.D., and the day was Tisha B'av.
Many other tragedies befell the Jewish people on this day - particularly, expulsions from countries like England (1290) and Spain (1492). And so our Jewish sisters and brothers fast from food and water to remember the pain and suffering of this day. Lamentations is read in synagogues throughout the world as a collective cry rises to the heavens.
While it is easy in our culture to gloss over pain and grief, our Jewish friends remind us that there is a time to mourn as well as dance, grieve as well as sing songs of praise. Wherever we may find ourselves today, may the Name of the L-RD be constantly on our lips.
Why this kind of mourning, and why today? It all started in the wilderness, where Jewish tradition says the Israelites refused to go into the promised land after ten of the twelve spies brought back a negative report. That day was Tisha B'av.
Centuries later, the original temple constructed by Solomon was destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 B.C. The day this took place was Tisha B'av.
Fast forward another few centuries and the second temple, built by returning exiles from Babylon and refurbished on the grandest of scales by Herod the Great in the time of Jesus, was destroyed by the Romans. The year was 70 A.D., and the day was Tisha B'av.
Many other tragedies befell the Jewish people on this day - particularly, expulsions from countries like England (1290) and Spain (1492). And so our Jewish sisters and brothers fast from food and water to remember the pain and suffering of this day. Lamentations is read in synagogues throughout the world as a collective cry rises to the heavens.
While it is easy in our culture to gloss over pain and grief, our Jewish friends remind us that there is a time to mourn as well as dance, grieve as well as sing songs of praise. Wherever we may find ourselves today, may the Name of the L-RD be constantly on our lips.