THOUGHTS ON TISHA B'AV 5762

July 13, 2002
Rabbi Edward Paul Cohn
Temple Sinai
New Orleans, Louisiana


On Thursday, July 18, the Jewish community throughout the world will observe the saddest day in the Jewish calendar-Tisha B'Av-the ninth day of the Hebrew month of Av.

Tradition tells us that no less than nine tragedies befell our people on that day over the centuries, the most tragic of which was the destruction of the First Temple, Solomon's Temple, in 586 BCE by the Babylonians, and the Roman destruction of the Second Temple in 70CE.

Tisha B'Av is really the culmination of a three-week period which began on Thursday, June 27, the 17th day of Tammuz, a fast day commemorating the first breach in the walls of Jerusalem made by the attacking Babylonians.

On the first day of Av, the armies reached the Temple Mount and by the 9th of Av, by ironic coincidence, both the First Temple and the Second Temple were destroyed.

For our Orthodox brothers and sisters, this three-week period is one of grief and mourning, during which there are no weddings performed and, as the actual day of Tisha B'Av arrives, no meat is eaten. It is known as "the Day of the great black fast," as opposed to Yom Kippur-"the white fast."

This Shabbat prior is known as Shabbat Chazon, referring to the Haftorah of Isaiah which tells of the prophet's dire vision (Chazon) of Israel's future.

On Tisha B'Av morning, no tollises are worn. The Ark curtain is removed and Lamentations is read. The Shabbat following is called Shabbat Nachann-Comfort-40th Chapter of Isaiah.

Here are the other tragic occurrences associated with Tisha B'Av:

The earliest Kina, biblical dirge, was this one traditionally recited on the eve of Tisha B'Av-

How long will there by weeping in Zion and lamentation in Jerusalem?

This year, too, this lamentation is ours to recite! And not only because of ancient associations, but because this refrain continues to reverberate in our ears, on our lips, in our minds, and throughout the world.

Who would have dared to think last Tisha B'Av of what one year could bring: 9/11, the continuing terrorist threat, the spiral of violence and death in Israel, the loss of life, the loss of our innocence, and the loss of our openness to the "other" because of our own fear and security preoccupations.

For these things I weep; my, eye, my eye runs down with water. (Lam. 1:16)

The Talmudic sages teach (Ta-anit 30B)--

Everyone who mourns for Jerusalem merits to share in her joy.

Well, when will we experience joy? It's long overdue!

This year, we have much to mourn-the thousands who have been robbed of their lives, the tens of thousands whose precious dear ones' deaths were tantamount to their own deaths, the hatred that continues to build among peoples of different faiths, nations, and political aspirations, our own complicity in diminishing the presence of the sacred in the Holy Land, the vacuum of leadership of visionary mind and prophetic voice, and the surrendering to the belief that peace must become captive to fanaticism and terrorism.

This year on Tisha B'Av we ought to lament, for our losses are immeasurable. And who knows? Perhaps in recognizing the dimension of our sorrow, we will summon the determination to lay hold of hope, and to demand a better world for the children of our people and for all people's children.

We read in the Pesikta Rabbati 28:3 that the Messiah will arrive on Tisha B'Av and turn our mourning into joy.

Well, I'm not counting on the Messiah. We have the power within ourselves as the children of God to either save ourselves or condemn ourselves. The darkness of death or the dawning of a new day-the choice is ours.

By no means are we doomed to despair. The future beckons-and it need not be one of sorrow. Says the Psalmist (126)--

Those who sow in tears shall reap in joyous song. A tearful person will plant in sadness, bearing a sack of seed. But they will come home in gladness, bearing their sheaves of grain.


Amen.