JTF.ORG Forum
Torah and Jewish Idea => Torah and Jewish Idea => Topic started by: muman613 on July 02, 2013, 12:29:18 AM
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Shalom,
The Jewish people, specifically the religious Jewish people, are currently observing a period on the calendar known as 'The Three Weeks'. These three weeks are a period of collective mourning of the Jews who long for Hashem's divine presence in this world. It was during this period that the Romans started destroying our Holy Temple. The Holy Temple was a conduit between the Jewish people and Hashem, through which our offerings and prayers rose to the Holy One, Blessed is he. Starting on 17 Tammuz (last week) the invasion began, and through the weeks we commemorate various states of destruction till all that was left was the Western Wall. We read Lamentations (Eicha) on Tisha B'Av which concludes the period of the Three Weeks.
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http://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/947558/jewish/What-are-the-Three-Weeks.htm
What are the Three Weeks?
The Three Weeks in a Nutshell
The Three Weeks is an annual mourning period that falls out in the summer. This is when we mourn the destruction of the Holy Temple and our launch into a still-ongoing exile.
The period begins on the 17th of the Hebrew month of Tammuz, a fast day that marks the day when the walls of Jerusalem were breached by the Romans in 69 CE.
It reaches its climax and concludes with the fast of the 9th of Av, the date when both Holy Temples were set aflame. This is the saddest day of the Jewish calendar, and it is also the date of other tragedies spanning our nation’s history.
Observances:
There are various mourning-related customs and observances that are followed for the entire three-week period (until midday of the 10th of the Hebrew month of Av, or—if that date falls on Friday—the morning of that day). We do not cut our hair, purchase new clothes, or listen to music. No weddings are held.
17 Tammuz is a fast day, on which we refrain from eating and drinking from dawn to nightfall.
The final Nine Days of the Three Weeks are a time of intensified mourning. Starting on the first of Av, we refrain from eating meat or drinking wine, and from wearing freshly laundered clothes.
9 Av is a more stringent fast than 17 Tammuz. It begins at sunset of the previous evening, when we gather in the synagogue to read the Book of Lamentations. Besides fasting, we abstain from additional pleasures: washing, applying lotions or creams, wearing leather shoes, and marital relations. Until midday, we sit on the floor or on low stools.
There is more to the Three Weeks than fasting and lamentation. Our sages tell us that those who mourn the destruction of Jerusalem will merit seeing it rebuilt with the coming of Moshiach. May that day come soon, and then all the mournful dates on the calendar will be transformed into days of tremendous joy and happiness.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ot7C-939AMs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jyKILiBKOR8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=He5nPWerdDM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zLDBgLShdc
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PKLWBI3Y1uY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8IduBv7rhfE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHfyGmCqyKk
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It seems that during the three weeks, I get a lot of music stuck in my head. I can't listen to it, but I just play it in my mind most of the day. Why is that? It's the yetzer hara?
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It seems that during the three weeks, I get a lot of music stuck in my head. I can't listen to it, but I just play it in my mind most of the day. Why is that? It's the yetzer hara?
I don't know why that is. I don't know if I would just assume it is your yetzer Hara unless you are motivated to actually play the music on your stereo. I have not listened to any music since the beginning of the three weeks.
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No, I would not actually play the music itself. I don't want to really listen to it, it just keeps playing in my mind for some reason >_<
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No, I would not actually play the music itself. I don't want to really listen to it, it just keeps playing in my mind for some reason >_<
I don't think there is anything to worry about. I have a musical mind too and sometimes I remember old tunes. I think all geniuses have some musical ability...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHO2d_1Birw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1wMyo1TA1s
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Rabbi Pinchas Winston gives a 54min talk on The Three Weeks...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_ErQz1KkAI
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TtU8Ix1WmnI
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yISZWV6KV0c
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ErWzFN6kna4
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Another Acapella song..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mndSkXQt4_s
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Rabbi Berel Wein talks about Tisha B'Av...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvKjzOOGawM
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-7mUPfjtJI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GuaKAj3itHk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZkPbXwHOupM
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mrJ9oMd66OA
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjp498LULDg
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Rabbi Pinchas Winston on Matos-Massie which is this weeks portion...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxUeVXz41Go
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNyid2aeYCE
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Here is an hour presentation on Tisha B'Av and the idea of aliyah and the desire to rebuild the Holy Temple. Rabbi Berel Wein and other rabbis are in it...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFcgQG5e9pM
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Finding some incredible acappella music.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRG7XqqG0aA
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSqczf17KoE
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_uSmNKDv-0
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0GLrtvConQ
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDLrBIHy7jU
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvsfWBRIvAI
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atQ5un690bc
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Amein Amein...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uBGLEZCCH7U
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8c4KC9bkKmw
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Rabbi Zev Leff's Kinot...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfClLX1wHa8
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http://www.globalyeshiva.com/profiles/blogs/the-temple-is-still-burning
THE TEMPLE IS STILL BURNING
Posted by Bernard S. Antin on July 27, 2012 at 4:34am
Tisha B’Av , the Ninth day in the Month of Av is the saddest day in the Jewish year. Among the tragedies that brand the day as a time to mourn are the destruction of the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem. Loss of the Temple symbolizes loss of Jewish autonomy and sovereignty. Tisha B’Av is observed by a day long fast, not wearing leather shoes, washing/bathing, anointing and marital relations as well as other forms of affliction consistent mourning the loss of a family member.(see generally Kitzur Shulchan Aruch Chapter 124). The day is also characterized by the recitation of a series of liturgical poems called Kinot.
The earlier Kinot date to Talmudic times and through the centuries additional Kinot were added some expressing the continuing mourning and yearning for return to Zion as well as to recall various massacres, progroms and other atrocities that make up the Jewish experience in exile. The Kinot are most often written in a complicated metre and arcane language as to render many all but unintelligible to the contemporary reader. The Kitzur Shulchan Aurach asserts Kinot should be recited till just before midday. Consequently on Tisha B’Av one may wind up spending hours reciting Kinot which although saturated with profundity over time their heart felt message has become obscured.
Yet , Rabbi Alexander Ziskind ZT’L ZY’A writes in his Yessod V’Shoresh HaAvodah “The essential message to be conveyed by the Kinot is that one feels the pain and affliction recalled by the Kinot [namely] the great pain Israel experienced when the Temple and Jerusalem were destroyed, the horrific deaths the people suffered. Additionally, the great desecration of G-D’s name, the great and exulted name of the blessed Creator among the nations. This [The desecration of G-D’s name ] was particularly large among those forces that amassed at the Temple gates, entering G-D’s sanctuary and even the Holy of Hollies. [The invaders] raised a commotion akin to a festival [however they indulged in] frivolity and mischief and asked [mockingly} Where is your G-D?”
The violent loss of life and exile stand together with how the defeat of Israel is seen as a victory against the A-mighty. The invading armies seeing G-D’s special place laid waste concluded the intimate relationship between Jewry and G-D was no more.
The problem is how to connect an event from antiquity to the present tense? Rabbi Yossef Dov Solovietchik ZT’L compared the First day of Passover, the Night of Redemption to the Ninth of Av the Day of Exile. A quirk of the Jewish calendar is the Ninth of Av in any given year is on the same day of the week as the night of the First Seder. The Mishna (Pesachim 10:5) proclaims “ In every generation one must view oneself as they personally left Egypt. Maimonidies ZT’L ZY’A (Chametz U’Matza 7:6) asserts one should conduct oneself as though one was just released from slavery. Rabbi Soloveitchik opined a similar concept in connection with Tisha B’Av ‘ Any generation that does not see the Temple rebuilt in their days it is as though the Temple was destroyed in their lifetime. One can relate to the Exodus by virtue of one not presently enslaved by Egypt. Similarly the pain experienced during the Temple’s destruction, the chaos and confusion,society unraveling as well as extreme violence of all type is right here with one in the present tense.
Suddenly recognizing that as long as the Temple is absent the wounds sustained 1944 years ago are fresh open wounds that throb with pain. The language of the Kinot is obscure and arcane but the emotions they evoke through translations through remembering how right now is the Temple’s destruction can anyone not feel devastated and be prepared to do whatever is needed to repair the breach?
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Rabbi Leff gave a long Kinot a couple years ago...
Here is part 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_3uwAC0x4c
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xj6okVR5jA4
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Rabbi Berel Wein discusses the Three Weeks...
http://www.torah.org/features/secondlook/thethreeweeks.html
The Three Weeks
by Rabbi Berel Wein
Jews are good at mourning. We have had a lot of practice doing so over the many past centuries and certainly over this last past one. Jewish suffering, many times accepted with stoicism, nevertheless was immortalized in the rituals and traditions of the liturgy and practices of Jewish life. This week marked the beginning of a three week period of mourning which will culminate on the ninth day of Av, the saddest day on the Jewish calendar.
This three week period of mourning is inextricably connected with the destruction of the Temples in Jerusalem and the subsequent exile of Israel from its homeland. But there is other tragedy and sadness that is subsumed in this time of mourning as well. Moses’ act of breaking the tablets of stone at Sinai upon witnessing the Golden Calf being worshipped by Jews, the burning of the Torah by oppressors of Israel and other such sad events are all included as reasons for this mourning period.
And in our time, every fast day and time of mourning always carries with it, officially or unofficially, an overtone of sadness and commemoration regarding the destruction of European Jewry sixty five years ago. But it is the destruction of the Temples and of Jerusalem, millennia ago, that lie as the root cause of all of our later tragedies, for all of these sad events are products of our being in a long and forced exile, an alien and defenseless people, the available scapegoat for all ills and failures of others.
There are different customs within the groupings of Israel as to the outward manifestations of mourning during this three week period. Ashkenazic Jewry refrains from solemnizing marriages during this period of time. New purchases of clothing and other major items are avoided and at least curtailed. Even the consumption of new fruits is limited and not approved. Haircuts and shaving are also prohibited. These are, as mentioned, outward signs of mourning. But true mourning occurs within the psyche and soul of a person.
Reflections on the causes and results of the tragedies that have befallen us are the true barometer of our mourning. In our dangerous world where, God forbid, personal and national tragedy lurks around every corner we should be cognizant of past errors of judgment and behavior. When Israel strayed from its observances and worship of God consequences flowed.
When hatred and demonization of other Jews by Jews became the norm of society, bitter consequences followed again. It is not a matter of preaching good that really matters. It is a matter of doing good that counts. All of the outward manifestations of mourning during this three week period of the Jewish calendar are meant to draw attention to our inner selves – to the problems and challenges that yet face us in our daily and national lives.
Being content with outward signs and customs of mourning without internalizing the messages that they represent defeats the very purpose for those observances of mourning. God wants our hearts and souls and not only our hair and beards.
Why such a long three week period of mourning? After all, should not the observances of the day of the ninth of Av suffice to remind us of the tragedies that have befallen us? Well, if external ritual observance was the only purpose of these mourning practices, a point can perhaps be made that three weeks of mourning may look to be somewhat excessive. But if the goal is to internalize within mind and soul the lessons of tragedies past and present and somehow to improve ourselves thereby in our attitudes and behavior then obviously three weeks is not an excessive time frame at all.
It takes a long time to rehabilitate a human being. Rabbi Yisarel Lipkin of Salant said that the loudest sound made in our universe is that of a human habit being broken and changed. One needs time and reflection to mourn properly and in a balanced fashion. Judaism in fact prohibits excessive mourning regarding personal tragedy.
Mourning is defined and limited by halacha and custom in terms of time and proscribed behavior. No matter how great the anguish we do not throw ourselves on the funeral pyre. Yet in order to properly internalize the causes, effects and emotions of tragedy, time is required.
The rabbis who commented on the Talmud characterized the period of mourning of the three weeks and of the ninth of Av as being “the ancient period of mourning.” By that they meant that it became the paradigm for all mourning in Jewish human life. Learning from mourning can therefore become the start of the process of personal and national redemption.
Shabat shalom.
Berel Wein
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Another great article on the lessons we should be learning through this mourning period on our calenders.
http://www.torah.org/learning/tabletalk/5765/devarim.html
You Gotta Believe
By Rabbi Raymond Beyda
Debarim, the last of the 5 books of Moses, contains the words of rebuke and encouragement given by Moshe to his people in the last days of his illustrious life. As he tells of the highlights of the Israelite's travels over the 40 years in the desert, the tale of the spies surfaces as a key turning point in the history of our people. At the request of the masses and with the consent of G-d, Moshe agrees to send a group of righteous leaders, one from each tribe, to investigate the nature of the Promised Land and its inhabitants. Supposedly, with the information in hand, a strategy for conquering the land would then be devised. But history would not work out as planned. The spies returned with a negative, fear instilling report. ''The land is good, but the inhabitants are just too strong for us to conquer and remove from the land", they announced. The people started to cry and then rebel in spite of the assurances of Yehoshua and Caleb. Hashem in His anger decided to kill off the entire generation during 40 years of wandering in the desert before allowing their children to enter the land as conquerors. "Tonight you cried for no reason" He declared, "therefore, you will cry for generations on this night."
And so it has been for thousands of years --the mazal--luck-- of the Jewish people has been bad on that night-- the night of Tisha B'Ab. The first and the second Temple were destroyed by gentile armies --on Tisha B'Ab. The city of Bitar was raped and pillaged and hundreds of thousands of our gentle brethren were slaughtered on Tisha B'Ab. The Jews were expelled from Spain and England--on the night of Tisha B'Ab. The terrible history of the destruction of Judaism in Europe at the hands of the Nazis y''s, began with the political upheaval of World War I, which, not coincidentally, began on the night of Tisha B'Ab in 1914.
What connection is there between the sin of the spies and the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem? What can we do to right the wrong and end the exile that we have been suffering for 1937 years?
Our Sages explain that the people, who lived at the time of the Temple's destruction by the Romans learned Torah, did misvot and performed acts of kindness. Why was the Temple destroyed? Because of sin' at hinam--baseless hatred. Jealousy and selfishness created differences in people. ''Why does he drive such a nice car and I pray that mine will start every time that I put the key in the ignition?''--''I work so hard and do everything with impeccable honesty, so how come his business is flying and mine can't show a profit?'' Questions like these are at the root of baseless hatred. They doubt the correctness of G-d's "distribution system". You might even go so far as to say that they reveal a lack of Faith!
Herein lies the connection between the sin of the spies and the destruction of the Temple. The people became frightened by the report of the spies because they lacked faith in G-d's ability to deliver the Promised Land in the face of mighty enemies. The people at the fall of Jerusalem suffered from jealousy and selfishness which are rooted in a lack of faith and are manifest in sin' at Hinam--baseless hatred. The night of retribution for both is the same Tisha B 'Ab!
This year, as we prepare for the fast of Tisha B'Ab we must get into a mode of "corrective surgery". Drastic steps must be taken if we are to heal the wounds of exile and bring the salvation and the restoration of glory to our people. Love thy neighbor must be actively pursued. Lashon ha-ra must be eliminated. Jealousy and selfishness must be exorcised from our personalities. It's all a matter of FAITH! Our Rabbis teach that the way to learn how to correct our character is through the study of Torah. A regular program of Torah study, with the intent to correct our faults can bring perfection of our traits and with that the redemption we so sorely need.
May we all be successful in doing all that we must in order to bring the geulah--our salvation--speedily in our days. Amen.
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Now for a rather long (1hr10min) Kinot of Rabbi Leff...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNAo9mLNS04
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Tish B'Av starts this coming Monday night...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGZNveyXXzU
http://www.hebcal.com/hebcal/?year=2013&month=7&yt=G&v=1&nh=on&nx=on&mf=on&ss=on&s=on&i=off&lg=s&vis=on&c=off&geo=zip&zip=&m=72&.cgifields=nx&.cgifields=nh&.cgifields=mf&.cgifields=ss&.s=Create+Calendar
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACCADMj2VR4
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Artscroll has made the pages of Talmud Tractate Gittin relating the story of Kamza/Bar Kamza w commentary available for free...
http://artscroll.files.wordpress.com/2008/07/gittin-volume-02-55b-56a.pdf
Also available is a Kinot lamenting the loss of the 6 million Kedoshim (Holy Souls) during the Holocaust:
http://artscroll.com/wordpressfiles/2010/07/kinnah-bobov-rschwab.pdf
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http://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/697770/jewish/Tisha-BAv.htm
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The Fast of Tish B'Av is quickly approaching...
May all who mourn the Temple and are participating in the observance of Tish B'Av have an easy and enlightening fast. It is my sincere wish that our tears will rise to heaven, opening the gate of tears, so that the redemption we have been waiting for comes with blessing and with joy.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uC6Q2np66-4
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Fasting gives me insomnia sometimes... Im not very tired and its 12:24... Maybe Ill get some sleep in a half hour...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_2yHD13IbU
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=huVquUK-ABE
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACFkoyD4rOg
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One more and then it's off-line for me...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fsr6cOnokcE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_annxb0SlM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5y4Gb4hUzZU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxwB19XXvNU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFSQ_vhMzHI
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Rabbi Finkelstein just uploaded a new Tish B'Av video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsG76UILV48