Tisha B'Av message from Hakhel

Although Tisha B’Av is a sad and mournful time, it does not mean that we should
quickly move away and shut the door on its meaning and import in our daily
lives.  Indeed, it is interesting to note that immediately after teaching us the
Halachos of Tisha B’Av, the Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chaim 560) provides us with
the Halachos of what we must do Zecher L’Churban, in remembrance of the
Churban--every day.

Accordingly, before we leave Tisha B’Av, we provide below only a few lessons one
could glean from Tisha B’Av, based in large part on the recent Hakhel Tisha B’Av
Program:

1.  Kinah 29 states “Siman Tov L’Adom…--it is a good sign for a person if he is
not eulogized or buried properly.... let him not fear the day of wrath.”  The
Artscroll commentary explains that death in this way serves to fully purge a
person of any stain on his soul caused by sin, and that such a person will be
spared the punishments of the next world (Sanhedrin 46B; 47A).  This should
serve as a great consolation for all of us who had relatives that perished in
the Holocaust in so many diverse and cruel ways.

2.  Dovid HaMelech, in perhaps the most renowned chapter of Tehillim (Chapter
130) begins “Shir HaMaalos Mi’maa’makim--a Song of Ascents.  From the depths I
called you…”  HaRav Klonymous Kalman Shapiro, Zt’l, H’yd, (the Rebbe of
Piazeczna) taught the following about the word “Mi’Maa’makim” to the Jews of the
Warsaw Ghetto with him:  Sometimes a person is in a situation from which he
cannot extricate himself barring an absolute miracle.  For example, the Jews in
the Warsaw Ghetto, especially after the uprising.  Dovid HaMelech, by using the
word “Mi’Maa’makim,” refers to this kind of situation, for he does not refer to
only one singular depth (which would be Emek), but to the depth of the depths
(Mi’Maa’Makim, in the plural).  The Piazeczner concluded that Dovid HaMelech was
teaching us that we cry out to Hashem whether or not we can reasonably be
saved--for there are two kinds of prayer.  The first, basic type of prayer is to
make requests of Hashem, the Omnipotent One.  The second, more sublime prayer is
one in which one prays not to achieve a personal request, but only to connect
and cleave to Hashem.  This is the “Mi’Maa’Makim” in which we cry out to
Hashem--not only because we realize that He is the only source of our salvation,
but also to demonstrate to Him that, when all is said and done, what we
ultimately seek is dveykus with Him.

3.  The Telzer Rav Zt’l, H’yd, before being murdered, was beaten by a ruthless
Nazi with a hammer.  “Herr Rabbiner! Where is your G-d now?” he mocked.  The
Telzer Rav responded, “He is your G-d too--and you will find that out later!” 
When we recite Av HaRachamim on Shabbos, we should take the few moments
necessary to recite it slowly and thoughtfully (some actually stand, as a symbol
of respect, but this is not required by Halacha).  Remember, we are praying not
only for the Kedoshim, but also for the honor of Hashem and His People.

4.  The Pasuk in Eichah (1:2) states “Bocho Tivkeh Ba’Layla V’Dimasah…--cry, cry
at night, and its tears....”  The Medrash teaches that there are three words for
crying at the outset of Eicha to teach us that there are three tears--one for
the first Bais HaMikdash, a second for the second Bais HaMikdash, and a third
either for the Bitul Torah that the Churban has caused to this very day (we
cannot attain our full potential without a Bais HaMikdash), or for the Kavod
Yisroel, the honor of our People, which has been disgraced and defiled even by
the nations which are friendly to us.  Thus, the last tear referred to in Eichah
is being shed for us!

5.  What is left of the great Roman Empire are the many ruins in the ancient
city of Rome together with the Arch of Titus, which remains standing, as if to
remind us that although Rome and all those like it in history are gone, we are
still in Galus, and that we should not forget it.  If we don’t picture the Arch
of Titus in front of us to remind us of our plight, then every person can find
his own simple method to help put things in perspective daily.  We may suggest:
a.  Reciting Tehillim Chapter 79 daily with feeling.
b.  Thinking about what a small percentage of World Jewry are Torah Jews, and
how many Jews are being lost to Judaism **daily** through intermarriage and
attrition--for no other reason than the churban we find ourselves in--and
davening especially for them every day.

6. Finally, it is important to note that Chazal teach that both Nevuzradan (the
Chief General of the Babylonians), and Nero (the first Chief General of the
Romans to besiege Yerushalayim at the time of the Churban) realized that the
destruction of the Bais HaMikdash that they were involved in was only by the
Hand of Hashem.  They each fled and converted to Judaism.  Perhaps this is to
teach us that, ultimately, all the nations of the world will have the proper
perspective on life.  It is up to us now to live each and every precious day of
our life--a day in which we are a step ahead of the rest of the entire world
(!)--staying as close to Hashem as possible in everything that we do--so that by
next year, when Tisha B’Av arrives, we will experience the greatest joy
possible, with the rebuilding of the Bais HaMikdash and the World in all of its
Glory!

Comment: The emphasis is mine.

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