Jul 28 2009
Tisha B’Av: Keep Your Eye on the Ball
This Thursday is the 9th day of the Hebrew month of Av (Tisha B’Av). It is considered on the Jewish calendar to be the most tragic day the Jewish people know. This is the date when the Babylonians destroyed our first Temple (Beit HaMikdash), and the Romans later destroyed our second one, which remains unbuilt to this day.
One might ask the question: We have been living without a Temple for nearly 3,000 years. Why in the world are we still gathering in synagogues, weeping and fasting, praying to go back to the way it was so very long ago?
And why are we inserting things into our traditions to constantly remind us of the Temple? We have scores of traditions we call “zecher l’mikdash” to remind ourselves that the way we’re doing things is just a temporary method of worship and service of God until we can back to the good old days.
The answer to all of this really lies in the most extreme example:
Most people are aware of the Jewish custom of stepping on a glass at the end of a wedding. But few are aware of the reason, and of the those who are aware of the reason, few appreciate it.
You might wonder: Can’t we ever have any joy withouth misery? Is there anything such as unadulterated pleasure? Why in the world do we need to think of past tragedies at a wedding, at the peak moment of joy that we know!?
Why?
Because we’re NEVER supposed to stop thinking about the Temple!
It’s the end game. It’s the goal. It’s where we need to be. Even at our greatest moments of personal pleasure we should not be losing focus, we should not take our eye off the ball.
May the Temple in Jerusalem be restored to the Jewish people speedily in our days.
