by Dani Eisenstock | Aug 10, 2016
Dani Eisenstock Former Shaliach, Kansas City (2002-03) Shabbat Chazon This Shabbat we will be celebrating on the 9th of Av. This year it will be a true celebration, including eating meat and drinking wine on the saddest day on the Jewish calendar. How can this...
by Rabbi Herzl Hefter | Jul 27, 2016
Rav Herzl Hefter Former Rosh Kollel in Cleveland (1995-1997) Mourning: Action and Affect I believe that the period of Bein HaMetzarim, between the straights, is the appropriate time to devote to the study of the laws of mourning. Our response to death and loss...
by Rabbi Yitzchak Neria | Dec 24, 2014
Between Shiva Assar B´Tammuz and Rosh Chodesh Av 1. Reducing One´s Joy: Starting from Shiva Assar B´Tammuz, we reduce our joy (whereas once the month of Av sets in, we are not joyous at all). Dancing is thus forbidden, as well as festive celebrations. One should...
by Yedidya Gruber | Jul 25, 2009
Yedidya Gruber Former Shaliach in Atlanta As we approach Tisha B’Av, we are frequently enjoined to recall the famous Talmudic dictum: “Every generation which did not witness the rebuilding of the Beit HaMikdash, it is considered as if it was destroyed in that...
by Rabbi Moshe Har-Noy | Jul 19, 2008
Rabbi Moshe Har-Noy Former Rosh Kollel in Detroit The Gemara (BT Nedarim 81a) declares that the Beit HaMikdash was destroyed because shelo barchu baTorah techilah (“they did not recite the blessing on the Torah first”): “For Rav Yehudah said in the name of Rav,...
by Rabbi Ephrayim Back | Jul 24, 2004
“Tzibbur” (Community) = Tzaddikim (the righteous); Beinonim (the average), and Resha’im (the wicked) The parsha of Devarim is always read on the Shabbat preceding Tish’a B’Av, and in honor of the ‘haftarah’ that we read it is called “Shabbat Hazon”. The three weeks...
by Rabbi Moshe Aberman | Jul 3, 2004
Rav Moshe Aberman Former Rosh Kollel in Chicago After the destruction of the Beit Hamikdash, Chazal instituted many different halachot which are meant to maintain our connection to the Mikdash. These halachot can be divided into two primary groups. One group,...
