The Three Weeks 143 articles

After Nero deserts, Vespasian lays siege to Jerusalem. We are told it was to last 3 years. The Maharal explains why it had to be 3 years, no more and no less....

Nero, the Roman general, deserted rather than destroy the temple, why is this anecdote important to the story? Why did he ask a child what pasuk he was learning? Previous: Deadly...

What does it mean that R’ Zechariah’s humility caused the destruction of the temple? What role does humility play in the story of the churban? Previous: Jerusalem, the International City Next:...

On the one hand Yerushalayim has a universal aspect to it, on the other hand,there is an aspect of Yerushalayim that is specific to the Jewish people. Previous: Jerusalem vs. Sinat...

If baseless hatred is severe enough to destroy Yerushalayim, it must be that Jerusalem is its antithesis. The Maharal explains how are they opposites. Previous: Kamtza & Bar Kamtza Next: Jerusalem,...

The Maharal asks: why is it called the story of Kamtza and Bar Kamtza – Kamtza is the one person who didn’t do anything wrong! What is the meaning of the word kamtza? Previous:...

Many other calamities befell us at the end of the 2nd commonwealth (Bayit Sheni), why are the destruction of Yerushalayim, Tur Malka and Beitar singled out by the Gemara? Previous: Why...

The temple is a home. Family is the essence of a home & marriage is the essence of a family. The Bet HaMikdash’s destruction is therefore akin to being divorced from God....

Three Weeks: Three Stages of Mourning Before Tish’a b’Av we are in a type of mourning so the laws are similar to mourning for a parent. There are three stages: The...

Rav Chaim Shmulevitz explains that Bein Adam l’chavero (interactions with others) are like fire. Just as fire causes injury even if you touch it accidentally, so too when you hurt another person you cause them...