mindylehmann

With Rosh Chodesh Av, the more intense period of mourning for the destruction of the Beit HaMikdash, known as The Nine Days, begins. “As Av enters, we diminish our joy”. This statement of the mishna is manifest in many laws & customs observed during the first nine days of the month of Av (Actually it [...]

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. The mishna says: “As Av enters, we diminish joy”. Rosh Chodesh Av is the beginning of the stricter mourning period for the destruction of [...]

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. Rabbi Mendel Hirsch points out, the prophet does not lament because the Bet HaMikdash (The Temple in Jerusalem) was [...]

On the Shabbos immediately after Tisha B’Av, we read the haftoroh of “Nachamu, Nachamu” from Yeshayahu. Each consecutive Shabbos, until Rosh Hashanah, we read another selection from Yeshayahu, in which the prophet continues to comfort the Jewish People, following the destruction of Jerusalem and the dispersion of our people from our land. Each selection elaborates [...]

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. As the disciple came closer he noticed that while the Rebbe was dancing so happily, tears [...]