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| FAST OF THE 5TH MONTH TISHA B' AV |
The month of Av, also known as Menachem Av, means "Comforting Father."
We are taught according to Jewish tradition that the process of redemption
actually begins on Tish'a b' Av the ninth of Av. Tradition has it that the third
temple will be built on the 15th of Av, Tu B' Av.
On the Sabbath preceding the 9th of Av Isaiah 1:1-27 is read. This shabbat
is referred to as Shabbat Chazon, the Sabbath of vision. This shabbat,
according to Rabbi Levi Yitzchak, which precedes the blackest day in Jewish
history, also provides a glimpse for every believing heart that the third temple
will be built.
Since the Holy Temple was destroyed some 1,935 years ago at the hands of
foreign invaders, the Jewish people have been in exile. Exiled from their
homeland and the Holy Temple which was their spiritual center.
It is not the destruction that Jews commemorate, but the Divine promise that
they will one day build the Holy Temple again. Tisha B' Av is a reminder of
their responsibility to rebuild,
In 70 AD as the Romans seized Jerusalem, even in the last minutes of war,
the priest continued to carry out their sacred duties. The rabbis tell us: "The
day the Temple was destroyed was the ninth of Av. It was the conclusion of
the Sabbath, and the end of the seven year cycle. It was during the time of
the (priestly shift) of Yehoyiriv." "The priests and the Levites stood on the
platform and continued to sing... and did not cease until the enemy entered
and subdued them." (BT Erchin 11:B)
The Temple service was cut down while in progress.
The famed "Arch of Titus" in Rome, Italy is a depiction of the destruction of
Judea to commemorate the event. It is a scene which became the symbol of
Jewish exile, but hope itself was born on this darkest day. The Jewish
people reached deep within themselves to find a faith and G-d that supplied
them with inner strength and prepared them for the long exile, accompanied
by endless suffering and persecution. The rabbis planted the seeds deeply
and immediately for the rebuilding of the Holy Temple. They Knew these
seeds would eventually grow and bear fruit.
Many attempts have been made to rebuild the Temple without success. It is
every generations obligation to build the Holy Temple and renew its service,
especially at a time when there is Jewish presence in the land, a chance for
Jewish government in Jerusalem and Israel as a nation is free in her own
land.
Amos 9:11 says, "On that day I will raise up the tabernacle of David that is
fallen, and repair its breaches; and I will raise up his ruins, and I will build it as
in the days of old...."
We are taught according to Jewish tradition that the process of redemption
actually begins on Tish'a b' Av the ninth of Av. Tradition has it that the third
temple will be built on the 15th of Av, Tu B' Av.
On the Sabbath preceding the 9th of Av Isaiah 1:1-27 is read. This shabbat
is referred to as Shabbat Chazon, the Sabbath of vision. This shabbat,
according to Rabbi Levi Yitzchak, which precedes the blackest day in Jewish
history, also provides a glimpse for every believing heart that the third temple
will be built.
Since the Holy Temple was destroyed some 1,935 years ago at the hands of
foreign invaders, the Jewish people have been in exile. Exiled from their
homeland and the Holy Temple which was their spiritual center.
It is not the destruction that Jews commemorate, but the Divine promise that
they will one day build the Holy Temple again. Tisha B' Av is a reminder of
their responsibility to rebuild,
In 70 AD as the Romans seized Jerusalem, even in the last minutes of war,
the priest continued to carry out their sacred duties. The rabbis tell us: "The
day the Temple was destroyed was the ninth of Av. It was the conclusion of
the Sabbath, and the end of the seven year cycle. It was during the time of
the (priestly shift) of Yehoyiriv." "The priests and the Levites stood on the
platform and continued to sing... and did not cease until the enemy entered
and subdued them." (BT Erchin 11:B)
The Temple service was cut down while in progress.
The famed "Arch of Titus" in Rome, Italy is a depiction of the destruction of
Judea to commemorate the event. It is a scene which became the symbol of
Jewish exile, but hope itself was born on this darkest day. The Jewish
people reached deep within themselves to find a faith and G-d that supplied
them with inner strength and prepared them for the long exile, accompanied
by endless suffering and persecution. The rabbis planted the seeds deeply
and immediately for the rebuilding of the Holy Temple. They Knew these
seeds would eventually grow and bear fruit.
Many attempts have been made to rebuild the Temple without success. It is
every generations obligation to build the Holy Temple and renew its service,
especially at a time when there is Jewish presence in the land, a chance for
Jewish government in Jerusalem and Israel as a nation is free in her own
land.
Amos 9:11 says, "On that day I will raise up the tabernacle of David that is
fallen, and repair its breaches; and I will raise up his ruins, and I will build it as
in the days of old...."
| Ministry of Gates of Praise Ministries, Inc. © Copyright Gates of Praise Ministries 2007 |