The Three Weeks
Articles
-
Chesed and Yirah - The Two Pathways to Loving our Fellow Jews
Special to OU Torah by Rabbi Tzadok Cable
View more »
-
Kinot
View more »
-
Remembering the Destruction of the Beit Hamikdash
Audio Lectures for the Three Weeks
View more »
-
You Just Never Know…
Rav Gifter, the great Rosh Yeshiva of the Telz Yeshiva in Cleveland, flew one day, with a number of his students, to a wedding in Baltimore. They had to change planes in some city on the way to Baltimore.
View more »
-
The Love of Brothers
Two brothers lived on two sides of a mountain. One was rich but had no children, one had many children but was very poor.
View more »
-
“I SAW ANNE FRANK DIE”
At the age of 100, Irma Sonnenberg Menkelremembers the horrors of the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp.
View more »
-
The Resonance of Jerusalem
Everyone who lives in Jerusalem - especially those like me who were born here - is in love with the city, really in love.
View more »
-
The Power of Forgiveness
Many areas of Jerusalem were being shelled, including Mea Shearim, which contained a number of yeshivot. The students of one of these, the famous Mir Yeshiva, just like everyone else, spent their time in a bomb shelter.
View more »
-
The Prophecy Shall Come True
The Talmud, on the last page of the Makkot tractate (24b) relates a story about Rabban Gamliel, Rabbi Elazar ben Azariah, Rabbi Yehoshua, and Rabbi Akiva who were on their way up to Jerusalem.
View more »
-
“Three of Punishment, Seven of Consolation”
Rabbi Avraham ben David of Luneil, the author of "Sefer HaManhig," writes, "From Parshat Bereshit through the 17th of Tammuz, the Haftarah is chosen to correspond to the Parshah topic by topic; but from there on - the choice of Haftarah is determined entirely by the time of year and the corresponding historical events."
View more »
-
Parshat Devarim and Tisha B’Av
Parshas Devarim is always read on the Shabbos right before Tisha B'Av. The Biur Halacha (528:4) explains that this is purposefully done in order that Moshe Rabbeinu's admonition to the Jews coincide with the Tisha B'Av period.
View more »
-
Pardes Program for The Three Weeks
In an age when Jews the world over are searching for a more meaningful life, the Orthodox Union has developed a Spiritual Fitness Program to aid you, your family, your friends and your community in this quest - The Pardes Project.
View more »
-
Laws and Traditions of the Nine Days
With Rosh Chodesh Av, the more intense period of mourning for the destruction of the Beit HaMikdash, known as The Nine Days, begins.
View more »
-
Rosh Chodesh Av - What Do We Do?
Do we say Hallel on Rosh Chodesh Av? Yes, we do. But the question is not a silly one. The festive flavor usually associated with Rosh Chodesh is hardly in evidence.
View more »
-
Beyond Lip Service: Building the Beis Hamikdosh Word by Word
426 years ago, a few days before Tisha B'Av, R. Yitzchok Luria, zt"l, the Ari Hakodosh, passed away in Tzefas.
View more »
-
The Tisha B’Av Water Miracle
Several days after Shovu'os, in early June of 1944, the Germans took some 5,000 of us by train from Auschwitz to Warsaw in order to clear away the ruins of the Jewish ghetto that had been reduced to rubble by German shells and bombs in Nisson of 1943.
View more »
-
Shabbat Chazon
The Shabbat before Tisha B'Av, is called Shabbat Chazon - the Shabbat of foretelling - as we read the Haftara portion from the prophecy of Isaiah (1:1-27), as the final of the "three of affliction," readings.
View more »
-
Tisha B’Av - The Haftarot of Consolation
On the Shabbos immediately after Tisha B'Av, we read the haftoroh of "Nachamu, Nachamu" from Yeshayahu.
View more »
-
Tisha B’Av and Sefer Iyov
Although it is prohibited to learn most Torah topics on Tisha B'Av, one may nevertheless study Eichah, sections of Jeremiah which relate to the Destruction and related Midrashim, the laws of Avelus (Mourning) and Ta'anis (Fasts), as well as Sefer Iyov (The Book of Job).
View more »
-
Tisha B’Av and Parshat Va’etchanan
The Torah reading of Tisha B'Av morning is found in Parshas Va'eschanan (4:25-40). The Talmud (Sanhedrin 38a) references this reading with the destruction of the First Beis Hamikdash, as the numerical value of the phrase, "V'noshantem", with with the reading begins, alludes to the number of years that the first Temple stood.
View more »
-
It’s a Mitzvah To Be Sad
Once a disciple of a certain Chassidic Rebbe noticed his Rebbe dancing happily on the Ninth of Av. He was astonished by this behavior, for everyone knew that Tisha Be'Av was not a time for happiness, but for mourning.
View more »
-
What Mourning Means: Reflections of Rav Soloveitchik zt"l on Tisha B’Av
The customs we observe on the day of Tisha B’Av are strikingly similar to those of an avel (mourner), one whose close relative has recently passed away.
View more »
-
Megillat Eichah – Lamentations
The prophet Jeremiah spent years warning his people that they repent and stop insisting that the Temple would protect them. To his chagrin, the Jews honored the Temple more in spectacle than in spirit.
View more »
-
Tragedy in Perspective
At the end of "Masechet Makot," the volume of the Talmud called "Makot," on pages 24a and 24b, there are two similar stories. In each, the same group of great scholars hears something or makes an observation which evokes from the majority of the group the expected human reaction, namely, tears.
View more »
-
Destruction and Desecration
"The replacement for Vespasian, the newly crowned Emperor, was the wicked Titus, from whose mouth the verse 'Where is their G-d, the Rock in Whom they trusted?' seemed to come. For Titus blasphemed and cursed Heaven!"
View more »
-
The Fateful Meeting
The setting is Jerusalem, approximately in the year 70 C.E.; the city is in the grip of a terrible famine, and it is surrounded by powerful Roman legions, under the command of Vespasian.
View more »
-
Tiger at the Gates
When the Roman Emperor was convinced by Bar-Kamtza that the Jews were indeed mounting a rebellion, he sent against Yerushalayim the great general, Nero.
View more »
-
The Third “Beit HaMikdash,” Holy Temple, in Yerushalayim
According to Jewish Tradition, the Mashiach is born on Tisha B’Av. According to the RAMBAM, it is the Mashiach who will lead the Jewish People in the building of the Third Beit HaMikdash, that is never to be destroyed.
View more »
-
The Second “Beit HaMikdash,” Holy Temple, in Yerushalayim
The Prophet Yirmiyahu had received a prophecy that the “exile” following the destruction of the First Temple would be relatively “short” (compared, in any case, to the approximate 2,000 year-long Exile we’re still in, but are, G-d willing, coming out of); namely, 70 years.
View more »
-
The First “Beit HaMikdash” - The Temple of Shlomo
The First Beit HaMikdash was actually built in the time of Shlomo HaMelech, King Solomon. Shlomo was the son of King David, who had conceived the idea of building a Temple for HaShem.
View more »
-
The Attempt by David HaMelech to Build a Temple
“David HaMelech, “ King David, had finally succeeded in bringing the Ark of the L-rd to “Ir David,” the City of David, in a joyous procession involving him “leaping and dancing” (Shmuel II, 6:16) before the L-rd. He was “at peace now from all his surrounding enemies” (Shmuel II, 7:1), and he reflected on the apparent absurdity of his situation.
View more »
-
The “Mishkan” in “Eretz Yisrael”
After the Jewish People entered the Land of Israel, they conquered the Land, under the visible leadership of Yehoshua bin Nun, disciple of and successor to Moshe, then divided it among the Tribes using a “lottery,” both actions, conquest and division, under the invisible leadership and direction of HaShem.
View more »
-
The Times of the “Mishkan” in the Wilderness
In his Introduction to "Sefer Shemot," the RAMBAN indicates that one of the central themes in the second of the five Books of Moses is the regaining by the Jewish People of the level of closeness with the Divine Presence that had existed at the end of "Sefer Bereshit," the first Book, between the Divine Presence and the "Avot" and "Imahot."
View more »
-
The Times of the “Avot” and the “Imahot”
Parshat Chaye Sarah describes the mission of Eliezer, the servant of Avraham, to Avraham's ancestral home, in order to find a wife for Yitzchak. The miracles that were performed for Eliezer during this mission are detailed, indicating that HaShem the Great Matchmaker, has selected Rivkah to be the bride of Yitzchak.
View more »
-
“The Love Story,” A Tragedy with a Happy Ending!
One way of looking at Jewish History is that it is a "love story," where the "main characters" are HaShem and the Jewish People.
View more »
-
The Story of Kamtza and Bar-Kamtza
"Rabbi Yochanan said, 'What is the meaning of the verse in The Book of "Mishlei" (Proverbs 28) which reads, 'Fortunate is the one who is always fearful, but the one who is hard of heart will suffer misfortune?' It was because of 'Kamtza and Bar-Kamtza' that Yerushalayim was destroyed …"
View more »
-
The Story of the “Churban,” The Destruction
On Tisha B'Av, unlike any other occasion, except for the "Shiva," the seven-day period of mourning for a loved one, there exists a prohibition to study the Torah.
View more »
-
Digest of Tisha B’Av Laws
A Summary of the laws of Tisha B'Av.
View more »
-
Showering During the Nine Days
The Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chaim 551:16) records a custom practiced by Ashkenazim of not bathing or showering during the Nine Days, from Rosh Chodesh of the month of Av until the end of the Tisha B’Av mourning.
View more »
-
Joy During the Nine Days
The Mishnah (Ta’anit 25b) says that once the month of Av begins, during the Nine Days, we have to reduce our joy.
View more »
-
About the Three Weeks: A Chronology of Destruction
A list of the major events leading up to the destruction of the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem.
View more »
-
The 17th of Tammuz
The 17th day in the Jewish month of Tammuz, Jews the world over fast and lament to commemorate the many calamities that have befallen our people on this ominous day.
View more »
Videos
- Tisha B’av Kinot 5771 - Rabbi Weil
"Tears of Faith...Visions of Hope" - Rabbi Weil's Kinot from Tisha B'Av 5771. Recorded as part of the Orthodox Union's Tisha B'Av webcast at Boca Raton Synagogue, in Boca Raton, FL on August 9, 2011.
View more »
- Tisha B’av Kinot 5771 - Rabbi Weinreb
Rabbi Weinreb regrets an error he made in the Tisha B'Av 2011 presentation. He spoke of Eyal Noked, z"l, who died of a tragic illness, but was not the victim of terrorism. The victim of whom Rabbi Weinreb spoke should correctly be identified as Ben-Yosef Livnat, who was murdered while visiting Kever Yosef, Hy"d.
"Tears of Faith...Visions of Hope" - Recorded at OU World Headquartes on Tuesday, August 9, 2011 as a live webcast.
Download materials for Rabbi Weinreb's presentation
Download additional reference materials
View more »
- OU Tisha B’Av Video 5771 - Rabbi Weil
OU Tisha B'Av Video 5771 - Shiur presented by Rabbi Steven Weil
View more »
- OU Tisha B’Av Video 5771 - Rabbi Weinreb
OU Tisha B'Av Video 5771 - Shiur presented by Rabbi Dr. Tzvi Hersh Weinreb
View more »
- OU Tisha B’Av Video 5771 - Rav Aharon Kahn
OU Tisha B'Av Video 5771 - Shiur presented by Rav Aharon Kahn.
View more »
- OU Tisha B’Av Video 5771 - Rabbi Yaakov Glasser
OU Tisha B'Av Video 5771 - Shiur presented by Rabbi Yaakov Glasser.
View more »
- The Power of Tisha B’Av: An Analysis of Kinot 11, 21 and 23
The Death of the Righteous: The Tragedy of the Deaths of Yoshiyahu HaMelech, The Children of Rabbi Yishmael, and the Ten Martyrs - Presented by Rabbi Steven Weil.
View more »
- My Shoulders, Your Shoulders, Our Shoulders
My Shoulders, Your Shoulders, Our Shoulders - Presented by Rabbi Dr. Tzvi Hersh Weinreb.
View more »
- An Anaysis of the 10th Kinah
Mourning the Loss of the Communities - Presented by Rabbi Steven Weil as part of the Lamenting Our Loss OU Tisha Bav Video 5770.
View more »
- The Song and the Testimony
Presented by Rav Aharon Kahn as part of the Lamenting Our Loss OU Tisha Bav Video 5770. Download the source sheet.
View more »
- Humility and Honesty: The Antidote to Tisha b’Av
Presented by Rabbi Steven Burg as part of the Lamenting Our Loss OU Tisha Bav Video 5770.
View more »
- Mourning for the Lost Torah
Presented by Rabbi Dr. Tzvi Hersh Weinreb as part of the Lamenting Our Loss OU Tisha Bav Video 5770.
View more »
- Tisha B’av Kinot 5770 - Rabbi Weil
"I am the Man Who has Known Affliction" - Rabbi Weil's Kinot from Tisha B'Av 5770. Recorded as part of the Orthodox Union's Tisha B'Av webcast at Shaarey Zedek Congregation, in Valley Village, California on July 20, 2010.
View more »
- Tisha B’av Kinot 5770 - Rabbi Weinreb
"I am the Man Who has Known Affliction" - Recorded at Young Israel of Woodmere on Thursday, July 20, 2010 as a live webcast by the Orthodox Union.
9 Av 2010 Source Materials
View more »
- Finding Hope in the Destruction
Finding Hope in the Destruction Presented by Rabbi Yaakov Glasser. Rabbi Glasser’s shiur is geared towards teenagers, but it is appropriate for adults as well.
View more »
- From Galus to Geulah
From Galus to Geulah - Presented by Rabbi Zvi Sobolofsky.
View more »
- Tisha B’av Kinot 5769 - Rabbi Weil
"The Tragedy that Transcends Generations" - Recorded at the Beth Jacob Congregation, Beverly Hills, CA on Thursday, July 30, 2009 as a live webcast by the Orthodox Union.
View more »
- Tisha B’av Kinot 5769 - Rabbi Weinreb
"Evil, Our Enemy" - Recorded at Young Israel of Woodmere on Thursday, July 30, 2009 as a live webcast by the Orthodox Union.
View more »
- Jerusalem Connections
This program aims to inspire each and everyone of us to focus on Yerushalayim and its meaning to the Jewish people. So that next year will realize the millennia-old dream of next year in Jerusalem.
View more »
- Tisha B’av Kinot 5768 - Rabbi Weinreb
Rabbi Weinreb redeems from anonymity heroes and victims of a variety of Jewish catastrophes including the Temple destructions, Pogroms of 1648-49, French Revolution and Napoleonic wars, and the Shoah. Focusing on various aspects of the soul with song, poetry and explanations of the Kinot, he also tells stories of very "soulful" men and women from Biblical times to the present, who have all but been forgotten, as well as reflections on forgotten facets of our own souls and how we can reclaim them. Recorded at OU World Headquarters NY, NY on Sunday, August 10, 2008 as a live webcast by the Orthodox Union.
View more »
- Tisha B’av Kinot 5767 - Rabbi Weinreb
Tisha Bav Kinot with introductions and explanations presented by Rabbi Dr. Tzvi Hersh Weinreb. Recorded at OU World Headquarters NY, NY 2007 as a live webcast by the Orthodox Union.
View more »
- Tisha B’av Kinot 5766 - Rabbi Weinreb
Recorded at Congregation Rinat Yisrael of Teaneck, NJ on Thursday, August 3, 2006 as a live webcast by the Orthodox Union.
View more »
- Tisha B’av Video 5765
Mourning for what was, hurting for what is, believing in what will be. Tisha B'av Video with introductions and explanations presented by Rabbi Dr. Tzvi Hersh Weinreb.
View more »
- Tisha B’av Kinot 5763 - Rabbi Weinreb
Rabbi Weinreb's Kinot on Tisha B'Av 5763 (2003)
View more »
- Tisha B’av Kinot 5760 - Rabbi Jacob J. Schacter
Insights into the Kinot of Tisha B'Av with Rabbi Jacob J. Schacter - 5760 (2000)
View more »
- Tisha B’av Kinot 5760 - Rabbi Weinreb
Rabbi Weinreb's Kinot on Tisha B'Av 5760 (2000)
View more »
- Tisha B’av Kinot 5758 - Rabbi Weinreb
Privileged to Grieve - Empowered to Grow - Intensify, deepen and enhance your understanding of the fast day with this two-hour Tisha B'Av video featuring Rabbi Tzvi Hersh Weinreb taped live in 5758/1998 at Congregation Shomrei Emunah in Baltimore, MD.
View more »
- Tisha B’av Kinot 5757 - Rabbi Weinreb
Piercing the Mechitza Shel Barzel - Kinot from Baltimore on Tisha B'Av 5757 (1997)
View more »
- The Essence of a Fast Day
A Shiur on Tisha B'Av presented by Rabbi Michael Taubes.
View more »
- Recognizing the Mourning Light
A Shiur on The Three Weeks presented by Rabbi Larry Rothwachs.
View more »
- The Churban and Its Aftermath
A Shiur on The Three Weeks presented by Rabbi Joseph Grunblatt
View more »
- Kinot and Shira
A Shiur on Kinot and Shira presented by Rabbi Hershel Welcher.
View more »
- The Kinot of Tisha B’Av
A Shiur on The Kinot of Tisha B'Av presented by Rabbi Feivel Wagner
View more »
- Practical Aspects of Zecher L’Churban
Practical Aspects of Zecher L'Churban - A Shiur on The Three weeks presented by Rabbi Dovid Weinberger
View more »
11 Broadway
New York, NY 10004
