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Tisha B’Av (literally, the 9th Day in the Hebrew month of Av) is an annual day of public mourning in the Jewish community. According to ancient tradition, both Temples erected in Jerusalem were destroyed (in 586 b.c.e & 70 c.e.) on the same day-the 9th of Av. This year, Tisha B’Av is observed from Saturday evening to Sunday evening, August 2-3.
Though referred to as a “day of mourning”, it is in fact a day of learning, and re-learning, a lesson the world continually fails to heed. The real tragedy of the 9th of Av was not the destruction of the ancient Temples, nor the dispersion of the Jewish population to Babylonia, rather it could have been prevented. Had the ancient kings of Israel addressed the corruption within their own ranks, and the wanton hatred and rampant immorality within the greater community, they may have prevented their demise. They didn’t, and the rest is history!
The lesson of Tisha B’Av is simple: When you have the opportunity to forestall or prevent disaster, take it. Historically, this lesson is more easily said than done. The dustpan of extinct civilizations is full of decisions not made, courses of action not taken.
Since the war of liberation in 1948, how many times has the State of Israel made genuine overtures of peace to the surrounding Arab nations. With regard to the Palestinians on the West Bank and Gaza, since 1972 no less than a dozen offers of peace and a future Palestinian state have been made. In every case, the Palestinian leadership rejected them; just as they continue to reject the existence of the State of Israel. Decisions not made, courses of action not taken.
Israel bears culpability with regard to the current state of hunger and starvation in Gaza. No side is without guilt. In the words of the late Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin-after signing a declaration of principles for peace with the PLO-, “Enough of blood and tears!” Yet, it wasn’t enough. The PLO proceeded to turn their back on these accords.
The Jewish observance of Tisha B’Av is one day in a calendar year when the central focus is found in the sad refrain, what if? . . . . in the hope of finding resolution. Alas, we continue to observe Tisha B’Av!
Rabbi Howard Siegel
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