Much More than Mourning

There's a famous saying, a prayer to G-d really, that has been perpetuated and popularized by posters and Hallmark cards; perhaps you know it: G-d, grant me the courage to change the things I can, The serenity to accept the things I cannot change, And the wisdom to know the difference.

There are tragedies in life, sadnesses, that we mourn, grieve, lament. Some of them, must be accompanied by an acceptance (with serenity) of things we cannot change, of things that happen through no fault of our own. Perhaps the death of a close relative often fits into this category.

But there are other tragedies that we mourn that we dare not allow ourselves to accept with resignation. We may not suffice with sorrow and grief and lamentations, because we CAN do something about the situation. Case in point – Tish'a b'Av.

EINI, EINI YORDA MAYIM, my eyes run down with water; SHIFCHI KAMAYIM LIBEICH, pour out your hearts like water; we cry for the Des truction, we ask G-d how long He will hold back the Redemption. We plead with G-d to return to us as we return to Him, and we ask Him to "renew our days as of old". We mourn the Churban of the Beit HaMikdash and we accept consolation as we look forward to a brighter future. But there must be one more major item on our agenda for Tish'a b'Av.

There are things to be changed. Tish'a b'Av exists because of the Sin of the Spies. The Beit HaMikdash was des troyed because we were unfaithful to HaShem. The second Mikdash was destroyed because of gratuitous hatred among Jews. The Geula can come when we repair the attitudes and the behavior pattern that created and perpetuate Tish'a b'Av. We can help turn Tish'a b'Av into a Yom Tov by being, and teaching others to be like Calev who declared that this Land is truly good and if G-d wants us here, then we will overcome all hardships.

We can hasten the Redemption by teaching Torah's mitzvot and values in a pleasant and proper way to restore it as a way of life of all Jews, so that we will merit the Geula Sh'leima.