Tisha b'Av: Destruction and Renewal

TODAY IS TISHA B'AV... 

literally the 9th of the Jewish month of Av. This day has been known as a day of great tragedy to the Jewish people. Throughout history calamities have come to pass on this unfortunate day.

 

It is believed that G-d designated this day as a day of great misfortune and anguish caused by the lack of faith the Israelites showed G-d in Numbers 13 and 14. On this date the twelve spies sent to Canaan to view the Promised Land returned. Except for Caleb and Joshua, the spies reported a land where they predicted only death waited. The Israelites wept in hopelessness and panic swept through them at the thought of entering the Promised Land. G-d was so displeased with His people that they did not trust him that he forbids entry to the Promised Land for 40 years. They were forced to wander in the desert as people without a land as punishment. As a result G-d blighted Tisha b’Av and made it a day of great pain.

 

DESTRUCTION 

 

Approximately 1000 years later Jerusalem had become the home of the Jewish people. It was a place they could be secure, safe and comfortable. It was a place to worship G-d freely without condemnation and persecution. This all came to an end on Tisha b’Av in 425 BCE with the destruction of the First Temple and then again on Tisha b’Av in 70 CE when the Second Temple was destroyed.

 

The destruction of the Temples and the subsequent fall of Jerusalem is a source of great sorrow to the Jewish people. Their way of life was ripped away from them when the Babylonians destroyed the First Temple and the Romans destroyed the Second Temple. After the Second Temple destruction the Jewish people were scattered and exiled from the Holy Land. It was to be thousands of years until the Jewish people were able to again make a home land in Israel. This alone is cause for great sorrow.

 

Other tragedies have befallen the Jewish people on the 9th of Av.

 

·        In 135 CE Bar Kokhba's revolt against Rome failed, he was killed, and the city of Betar was destroyed. It was the last great revolt against Rome. 100,000 Jews slaughtered.

·        Exactly one year after the destruction of the Second Temple the Romans razed Jerusalem. Pagan city was built on its ruins.

·        All Jews were expelled from England in 1290, France in 1306 and Spain in 1492.

·        The Spanish Inquisition culminated with the expulsion of Jews from Spain in 1492.

·        In 1914 Germany declared war on Russia commencing World War I. German resentment from the war set the stage for WW II and the Holocaust.

·        On the eve of Tisha B'Av 1942 and throughout the day, began the liquidation of Jews from the Warsaw Ghetto, en route to Treblinka.

 

RENEWAL 

 

As an expression of our sorrow on this day, Tisha b'Av is observed by fasting and abstaining from anything that would bring joy, pleasure or comfort. We also read the Book of Lamentations. This is Jeremiah’s heartbreaking account of the destruction of Solomon’s First Temple and the utterly desperate conditions of the Jewish population in Jerusalem.

 

So what do you make of all this? Is this the hand of a wrathful God? Or is this part of the Divine Plan that G-d had for all of us? Even when terrible events happen we must have faith that it all has spiritual meaning. Everything does have a rational purpose even though we do not understand it. When tragedy comes upon us it is our responsibly as children of G-d to focus on the inner purpose of this tragedy. It will help to lift us to a higher level of spirituality and compassion. This will ultimately lead us to renewal. We will move forward with greater glory and grandeur in our faith in G-d and to lead a life of compassion and love. 

 

THE SECOND TEMPLE

 

Honor this ancient center of Hebrew culture and worship with a silver minature figurine.

 

Available in two sizes, this will be a beautiful addition to any space.

 

Click here to view this item and browse the more than 2000 items available at JesusBoat.com.

 

Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:21-23

 

 TODAY IS TISHA B'AV... 

literally the 9th of the Jewish month of Av. This day has been known as a day of great tragedy to the Jewish people. Throughout history calamities have come to pass on this unfortunate day.

 

It is believed that G-d designated this day as a day of great misfortune and anguish caused by the lack of faith the Israelites showed G-d in Numbers 13 and 14. On this date the twelve spies sent to Canaan to view the Promised Land returned. Except for Caleb and Joshua, the spies reported a land where they predicted only death waited. The Israelites wept in hopelessness and panic swept through them at the thought of entering the Promised Land. G-d was so displeased with His people that they did not trust him that he forbids entry to the Promised Land for 40 years. They were forced to wander in the desert as people without a land as punishment. As a result G-d blighted Tisha b’Av and made it a day of great pain.

 

DESTRUCTION 

 

Approximately 1000 years later Jerusalem had become the home of the Jewish people. It was a place they could be secure, safe and comfortable. It was a place to worship G-d freely without condemnation and persecution. This all came to an end on Tisha b’Av in 425 BCE with the destruction of the First Temple and then again on Tisha b’Av in 70 CE when the Second Temple was destroyed.

 

The destruction of the Temples and the subsequent fall of Jerusalem is a source of great sorrow to the Jewish people. Their way of life was ripped away from them when the Babylonians destroyed the First Temple and the Romans destroyed the Second Temple. After the Second Temple destruction the Jewish people were scattered and exiled from the Holy Land. It was to be thousands of years until the Jewish people were able to again make a home land in Israel. This alone is cause for great sorrow.

 

Other tragedies have befallen the Jewish people on the 9th of Av.

 

·        In 135 CE Bar Kokhba's revolt against Rome failed, he was killed, and the city of Betar was destroyed. It was the last great revolt against Rome. 100,000 Jews slaughtered.

·        Exactly one year after the destruction of the Second Temple the Romans razed Jerusalem. Pagan city was built on its ruins.

·        All Jews were expelled from England in 1290, France in 1306 and Spain in 1492.

·        The Spanish Inquisition culminated with the expulsion of Jews from Spain in 1492.

·        In 1914 Germany declared war on Russia commencing World War I. German resentment from the war set the stage for WW II and the Holocaust.

·        On the eve of Tisha B'Av 1942 and throughout the day, began the liquidation of Jews from the Warsaw Ghetto, en route to Treblinka.

 

RENEWAL 

 

As an expression of our sorrow on this day, Tisha b'Av is observed by fasting and abstaining from anything that would bring joy, pleasure or comfort. We also read the Book of Lamentations. This is Jeremiah’s heartbreaking account of the destruction of Solomon’s First Temple and the utterly desperate conditions of the Jewish population in Jerusalem.

 

So what do you make of all this? Is this the hand of a wrathful God? Or is this part of the Divine Plan that G-d had for all of us? Even when terrible events happen we must have faith that it all has spiritual meaning. Everything does have a rational purpose even though we do not understand it. When tragedy comes upon us it is our responsibly as children of G-d to focus on the inner purpose of this tragedy. It will help to lift us to a higher level of spirituality and compassion. This will ultimately lead us to renewal. We will move forward with greater glory and grandeur in our faith in G-d and to lead a life of compassion and love. 

 

Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:21-23