For eight hundred and thirty years there stood an edifice upon a Jerusalem hilltop which served as the point of contact between heaven and earth. So central was this edifice to the relationship between man and G d that nearly two-thirds of the mitzvot are contingent upon its existence.
Its destruction is regarded as the greatest tragedy of our history, and its rebuilding will mark the ultimate redemption-the restoration of harmony within G d’s creation and between G d and His creation.
A full three weeks of our year–the three weeks “between the strictures” of 17th of Tammuz and 9th of Av–are designated as a time of mourning over the destruction of the Holy Temple and the resultant galut–physical exile and spiritual displacement–in which we still find ourselves.
During this period, we lessen the extent of our rejoicing. We don’t:
• Conduct weddings.
• Play musical instruments or listen to music.
• Recite the Shehecheyanu blessing. Thus, we do not wear new clothing or eat fruit which we have not yet eaten this season so that we will not be required to recite Shehecheyanu.
• Take a haircut or shave. Many Sephardic communities permit haircuts and shaving until the week of Tisha b’Av (in other words, until the Saturday night before the fast).
All the laws of mourning are suspended on Shabbat.
But there is more to the Three Weeks than fasting and lamentation. The prophet describes the fasts as “days of goodwill before G d”-days of opportunity to exploit the failings of the past as the impetus for a renewed and even deeper bond with G d. A sense of purification accompanies the fasting, a promise of redemption pervades the mourning, and a current of joy underlies the sadness.
The Ninth of Av, say our sages, is not only the day of the Temple’s destruction–it is also the birthday of Moshiach. Consider the following in your own life- how can the most challenging aspects of our lives lead to the greatest growth, development, and insight? How can the feeling of distance from Hashem and/or from someone be the impetus for greater closeness?
Perhaps, this dichotomy is what Jeremiah (31:12) hinted when prophesying: “I will turn their mourning into joy and will comfort them and make them rejoice from their sorrow;” and may it be so!
Shabbat Shalom!