Practical Messianism
Now that Tisha B'av has passed, we start to focus on
nechama, or comfort. Natually, we expect that the full
nechama will come when Mashiach comes.
So, I think this is a good time to talk about a central Kumah philosophy, which is what I call, "Practical Messianism." In a few words, here is what I mean.
A central tenet of our faith is eager anticipation of Mashiach. Mashiach will be the one to gather in the exiles to Israel, re-establish the Kingdom of David, and build the Third Temple (
Rambam Hilchot Melachim 11:1). However, there is a great divide about how this will come about, and what form our anticipation should take. Some argue that we can only pray and do mitzvot, and when God feels that we have merited the redemption, then it will come. Others believe that the Messianic age will come gradually, and that, in addition to praying and doing mitzvot, we must all take practical actions, when possible, to bring the redemption closer.
I will make a simple argument for the latter: A major part of the redemption is
kibutz galuyot, ingathering of the exiles. Does this mean every Jew will live in Israel? Does it mean the majority? I think it is a safe assumption that we don't need every Jew in Israel at the same time, but rather, when a majority of Jews live in Israel, this will be the major milestone of
kibutz galuyot. It is predicted that the majority of Jews will live in Israel in about 20 years. (For more details, please see Yishai's article,
Biat Kulchem.)
How does the ingathering happen? Already, millions of Jews have been gathered in from the four corners of the earth to Israel. This process continues today. Even while a descendant of David is not declared to be Mashiach, this process will continue. And every one of us who makes Aliyah is bringing
kibutz galuyot one step closer. It is as if each of us has the potential to be a little bit of Mashiach.
We don't know exactly how the actual Mashiach will be revealed. The Rambam argues that it will be a natural process, without any miracles occuring (
Rambam Hilchot Melachim 12:1). But however it happens, we are laying the groundwork for a smoother redemption by working towards the goals which define the redemption.
We each have the potential, through personal efforts, small and large, to bring the redemption closer. If you want to be active in this process, think about what the redemption will be like, and think what you can do to make that a reality.
Re-Birthright
It's past midday on Tisha B'Av so the rules for mourning are a bit relaxed now.
I went to shul early, read Kinot, then watched "The Pianist" with my family. Indeed I did feel real sorrow for the loss of Jerusalem and the great many tragedies that have befallen our people through history.
However, for the last three years I have been to the Kotel on the 9th and every year I felt something other than sadness. Anticipation, excitement, a buzz in the air. Jewish multitudes come, tens of thousands mull around at night smiling, singing, and strolling. Beautiful Jews everywhere. The Kotel has the air of a show about to start - a construction site with work in progress. In Israel, the Jewish people are being reborn and all the souls of the millions of murdered Jews are recycled into this rebirth - you can feel it.
Tisha B'Av is certainly about mourning. But tomorrow let's dry our tears and get to workin' on making Israel the best place in the world. Don't be cynical about the state of our State - cynicism regarding Israel is merely a superficial reaction to the incomprehensible Jewish renaissance of our time. The retrograde actions of our leaders only serve to mask the progress of the Jewish rebirth and the Third Temple period. Sometimes it's hard to see the big picture, especially when it's so big.
A Day of Mourning
The reasons for the destruction of the first and second Temples are a popular topic for Tisha B'av. Learning from past mistakes and improving ourselves is a central part of Judaism. But, I would like to suggest that on Tisha B'av, this is not the main goal. It should be a pure day of mourning. In a shiva house, you do not attempt to discuss the reasons for the person's death; rather, you simply sit on the floor in mourning for the loss of the person. You do not try to move on; you simply reflect on the loss. In the long run, this will help the process of moving on and rebuilding. Similarly, on Tisha B'av, it is appropriate to engage in pure mourning for all the tragedies that have befallen us in the past. There is no need to try to explain why we suffered destructions, exiles, pogroms, and the Holocaust. We can take this one day to cry out, and reflect on this sad state of affairs.
However, we are rarely comfortable with endless mourning. Customs have developed that divide Tisha B'av into two parts. The first part, from the evening until chatzot (noon), is dedicated to pure mourning. We read Eicha, recite kinot, and focus on all the tragedies that have befallen us. We cry out to God, and ask, "Why have You forsaken us?" We sit on the floor, as is the custom of mourners. In shul, we dim the lights and remove the decorative cover over the aron.
After chatzot, we sit on chairs, and return the shul to its normal look. Men put on tefilin, which they did not do in the morning. We read the Torah reading and haftorah of a regular fast day, which reassure us that God will not forsake us. This is an appropriate time to start thinking about how we will rebuild, and what practical actions we can take to bring a speedy end to our long exile.
"Kol hamitabel al Yerushalayim, zocheh v'ro'eh b'simchatah" - all those who mourn the loss of Jerusalem will merit to see it in its joyful times. By spending tonight and tomorrow morning focusing solely on mourning the destructions and the losses we have suffered, we will be strengthened in our ability to rebuild.
VICTIMS OF TERROR:
We cannot replace them
But we can take their place
ALIYAH
Approximately this hour last year, my then-fiance Yishai and I were davening mincha on the balcony of his parents' King Solomon hotel room - it would be the last time we saw each other for seven days - until our wedding on Tu b'Av in Hebron.....
We faced east and knew that soon all of our prayers would be answered, that we were entering the happiest, most exciting and long-awaited time of our lives.
We still believe that. Tonight and tomorrow, as you face the east in prayer, know that we are entering the happiest, most exciting and long-awaited time....
Have a meaningful fast.
According to my friend Alex Traiman, Tisha B'Av is the day of potential. The spies in the desert had the potential to excite the Jewish people about the Land, to set the stage for a great rite of passage, to be the harbringers of Mashiach. Instead they went over to the dark side and deflated the hearts of their brethren, casting doubt on the ability of the Jews to inherit the Land. Our generation's job is to be a tikkun for the sins of the spies, to overcome fear and complacency and to take this great oppurtunity - that is, the opportunity of the State of Israel - with our bodies so that we will merit to say "Vetechezena Einenu" - 'Our eyes should see' the very real redemption of the Jewish people and the world.
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