Today is the ninth day of the Hebrew month of Av; the most tragic day in the Jewish year when both the First and Second Temples were destroyed, launching millenia of exile, death, and persecution for the Jewish people. It is a day of mourning which began last night when we ate our final meal before sundown, then went to Shul (Synagogue) to hear Megillat Eicha (the Book of Lamentations). It’ll end tonight and until then we won’t eat, drink, wash or bathe or wear leather shoes.
I posted this video last year but I love it so much I’m putting it up again. There are so many reasons to despair: Jew-loathing, Israel-hatred, nuclear weapons, emboldened terrorists… let us pray that the God will deliver the final redemption to the Jewish people and all of mankind soon.
הֲשִׁיבֵנוּ יְהוָה אֵלֶיךָ ונשוב (וְנָשׁוּבָה), חַדֵּשׁ יָמֵינוּ כְּקֶדֶם
Eicha/Lamentations 5:21 Turn Thou us unto You oh Lord, and we shall be turned: renew our days as of old
Torah Portions 