Tish’a B’Av

The Whole Megilla has hosted the July 2013 Jewish Book Carnival! There are a nice variety of posts to browse through.

The image above was found here.

Tonight is the eve of Tish’a B’Av – Erev Tish’a B’Av, the saddest day in the Jewish calendar. At sundown, the annual fast (approximately 25 hours) begins in commemoration of the destruction of the First Temple and Second Temple in Jerusalem, and all the tragedies that the Jewish people have endured.

An easy fast to everyone.

The Book of Lamenations is read in synagogue, and mourning prayers are recited.

July 15, 2013 – 8 Av, 5773

Tish’a B’Av

Tisha B’Av, the Jewish holiday that begins a sunset July 28, 2012, and ends at sundown on July 29, 2012 (Erev Tish’a B’Av – 9 Av, 5772 until 10 Av, 5772), is a time for introspection and reflection on the numerous tragedies that have befallen the Jewish people.

From the destruction of the First and Second Temples to the expulsion of the Jews from Spain, and everyincident before, between and after, including the Holocaust and other acts and forms of antisemitism, historically, the Jews have been put in vicarious, horrific and tragic situations. Tish’a B’Av, is the saddest day for the Jewish people, a day of fasting, remembering, mourning and prayer.

Take a moment to reflect on the past, the present and the future. Open the temple inside you, and let your inner illuminations shine, in order to radiate your illuminations externally.

Look within yourself, see if you can find the time to help heal the dealings of the past and in the present (no matter how small or minute, whether through prayer, physical action, performing a Mitzvah or Mitzvot), in order to better the future.

Update: Take a moment, if you will, during this day of the Olympic Opening Ceremony, to think about the members of the Israeli Olympic Team who were murdered during the 1972 Munich Olympics, in what is known as the Munich Massacre, along with a West German police officer. Thank you, for bearing with me with the update…I meant to post this, and somehow did not…thank you, Leora.

I found the poem below on a blog entitled Velveteen Rabbi, written by Rabbi Rachel Barenblat.

AFTER THE FALL

The mishna says
senseless hatred
knocked the Temple down

not the Romans with their siege engines —
or not only them, but
our ancestors too

who slipped into petty backbiting
ignored Shabbat
forgot how to offer their hearts

we’re no better
we who secretly know we’re right
holier-than-they

we who roll our eyes
and patronize, who check email
even on the holiest of days

who forget that
a prayer is more than a tune
more than words on a page

in Oslo parents weep
and we’re too busy arguing
motive to comfort them

across the Middle East parents weep
and we’re too busy arguing
borders to comfort them

in our nursing homes parents weep
shuddering and alone
and we’re too busy —

even now what sanctuaries
what human hearts
are damaged and burned

while we snipe at each other
or insist we’re not responsible
or look away?