They Are Our Children
August 2, 2006
Tonight begins the fast day of Tisha B’Av. It is one of the oldest of Jewish observances recalling the destruction of the temple by the Babylonians in 586 B.C.E. Since that time Jews have mourned this national loss and more, whether by coincidence, redaction, or divine destiny, the ninth day of the Hebrew month of Av has come to be associated with a number of tragedies in Jewish history. The list spans from ancient times (the destruction of both the First and Second Temples, the latter at the hands of the Romans in 70 C.E.), through the Medieval and Renaissance periods (it is said that the Edict of Expulsion from Spain took effect on this date in 1492), and into modern times (the final obliteration of the Warsaw Ghetto during the Shoah was effected on Tisha B’Av). Tisha B’Av has come to be a powerful metaphor in Judaism.
But, please do not misinterpret this occupation with past tragedies. This day is not about our isolation and persecution at the hands of others; Tisha B’Av reminds us of the resiliency of our people and the undying power of our faith. Traditionally, Jews fast for 25 hours on Tisha B’Av and hold special services in which, by candle light and sitting on the floor in the manner of mourners, we read the Book of Lamentations.
I have always had mixed-feelings about Tisha B’Av. Especially since 1967 when all of Jerusalem (including the site of the Temples) was restored to the Jewish people, I have questioned the practice of continued mourning over events so distant in our past. Yet, the events of the past three weeks have reminded me the importance of remembering and of learning from the past. The struggle for our survival continues because there are still those forces in the world that intend our destruction. If we have learned nothing else from our legacy of tragedies, we have learned that we must be strong, unified and resolute in facing those who hate us. At the same time, knowing injustice so well ourselves, we must constantly evaluate our actions as we respond to those who threaten us.
This brings me to an article in today’s Jerusalem Post that I found most meaningful in appeared on page 5 (it was obviously not considered “hot news”) and entitled: “MKs worry about their children at the front.” The article indicated that no less than six members of the Knesset (out of 120) have children fighting in Lebanon. Moreover, a majority of the Knesset has at least one child or grandchild in the reserves. That means that any decision to go to war or to escalate the hostilities is a personal decision for our legislators. The fact that most of the top brass in the military is in the same position, you can be sure that any military actions are considered most carefully and astutely before committing troops in any action. What other country in the world can make a similar claim?
In contrast to Hezbollah which is willing to sacrifice every Lebanese civilian (other than their own families) to further its cause or those who send suicide bombers (never their own children) to wreak death and destruction in Israel, those who send the IDF out to fight know that they are putting their own children at risk. Who would cavalierly put their children in jeopardy, especially those whose faith places such value on all human life?
Let others criticize Israel as they might, are they really so cynical as to believe that we do not care about our children? This war is necessary for our survival. If you need proof, consider the sacrifices made by those whose deliberations impact the military policies consequent to those decisions. We do not take our survival lightly. History has taught us otherwise. That is the real meaning and modern significance of Tisha B’Av.
And so, I will be fasting this Tisha B’Av, though not in the manner of most of my Orthodox coreligionists who will refrain from food and drink for twenty-five hours. Following a custom observed by some Conservative Jews (based on variant traditional opinion), I will fast until midday, lest “it appear as though we are oblivious to all the good that God has bestowed on us,” according to Rabbi Tzvi Graetz of Shevet Ahim Congregation in Jerusalem’s Gilo neighborhood.
At this time I recall how fragile, how tenuous security and freedom are and have been for the Jewish people. So, too, do I give thanks to God for the blessing of our continued survival and vitality. This Shabbat, reading from the prophet Isaiah (“Comfort, comfort My people…”), we begin a period of solace and hope emerging from the sober reminders of Tisha B’Av. May God bless us now with days of hope that the present conflicts (with Hezbollah and with the Palestinians) be resolved and our security and freedom insured. With faith in the future…
Shalom from Jerusalem.
But, please do not misinterpret this occupation with past tragedies. This day is not about our isolation and persecution at the hands of others; Tisha B’Av reminds us of the resiliency of our people and the undying power of our faith. Traditionally, Jews fast for 25 hours on Tisha B’Av and hold special services in which, by candle light and sitting on the floor in the manner of mourners, we read the Book of Lamentations.
I have always had mixed-feelings about Tisha B’Av. Especially since 1967 when all of Jerusalem (including the site of the Temples) was restored to the Jewish people, I have questioned the practice of continued mourning over events so distant in our past. Yet, the events of the past three weeks have reminded me the importance of remembering and of learning from the past. The struggle for our survival continues because there are still those forces in the world that intend our destruction. If we have learned nothing else from our legacy of tragedies, we have learned that we must be strong, unified and resolute in facing those who hate us. At the same time, knowing injustice so well ourselves, we must constantly evaluate our actions as we respond to those who threaten us.
This brings me to an article in today’s Jerusalem Post that I found most meaningful in appeared on page 5 (it was obviously not considered “hot news”) and entitled: “MKs worry about their children at the front.” The article indicated that no less than six members of the Knesset (out of 120) have children fighting in Lebanon. Moreover, a majority of the Knesset has at least one child or grandchild in the reserves. That means that any decision to go to war or to escalate the hostilities is a personal decision for our legislators. The fact that most of the top brass in the military is in the same position, you can be sure that any military actions are considered most carefully and astutely before committing troops in any action. What other country in the world can make a similar claim?
In contrast to Hezbollah which is willing to sacrifice every Lebanese civilian (other than their own families) to further its cause or those who send suicide bombers (never their own children) to wreak death and destruction in Israel, those who send the IDF out to fight know that they are putting their own children at risk. Who would cavalierly put their children in jeopardy, especially those whose faith places such value on all human life?
Let others criticize Israel as they might, are they really so cynical as to believe that we do not care about our children? This war is necessary for our survival. If you need proof, consider the sacrifices made by those whose deliberations impact the military policies consequent to those decisions. We do not take our survival lightly. History has taught us otherwise. That is the real meaning and modern significance of Tisha B’Av.
And so, I will be fasting this Tisha B’Av, though not in the manner of most of my Orthodox coreligionists who will refrain from food and drink for twenty-five hours. Following a custom observed by some Conservative Jews (based on variant traditional opinion), I will fast until midday, lest “it appear as though we are oblivious to all the good that God has bestowed on us,” according to Rabbi Tzvi Graetz of Shevet Ahim Congregation in Jerusalem’s Gilo neighborhood.
At this time I recall how fragile, how tenuous security and freedom are and have been for the Jewish people. So, too, do I give thanks to God for the blessing of our continued survival and vitality. This Shabbat, reading from the prophet Isaiah (“Comfort, comfort My people…”), we begin a period of solace and hope emerging from the sober reminders of Tisha B’Av. May God bless us now with days of hope that the present conflicts (with Hezbollah and with the Palestinians) be resolved and our security and freedom insured. With faith in the future…
Shalom from Jerusalem.
posted by RSJD at 10:29 AM
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