Today is Shiva Asar b’Tammuz, the first day of the annual Three Weeks of mourning. During this period, we commemorate the destruction of Yerushalayim and the mikdash along with many of our other national tragedies. We grieve over what we are missing and reflect on the ongoing state of our exile.
This Shiva Asar b’Tammuz comes at a particularly challenging time. The war in Israel grinds on and we watch with trepidation as new battlefronts continue to open. While Divine Providence has assigned the United States government a critical role relative to the Jewish people and the State of Israel, that government has been shaken by the dramatic events of the past ten days. And tomorrow, Israel’s Prime Minister will address Congress seeking to strengthen America’s support of Israel during this difficult time.
Shiva Asar b’Tammuz is, as Rambam wrote, a day to awaken our hearts and to clear the path towards teshuva, serving as a reminder of our failings and a goad to improvement. It is also a day of intense prayer for relief from our difficulties. We have much to reflect upon and steps to take to achieve change.
Whatever our politics, we will do well to pray for PM Netanyahu’s success in his mission on behalf of our people. Heyei im piphiyos shluchei amcha Beit Yisrael. We daven that God be with him and with the mouths of all those who speak on behalf of His people.
Queen Esther prepared for her presentation to Achashverosh by gathering and unifying the Jewish people in fasting and prayer, lech k’nos es kol haYehudim. Likewise, when Nechemya (2:4-5) was given the opportunity to advocate on behalf of the Jewish people to the Persian king, he responded: Va’espalel el Elokei haShamayim va’omar lamelech. “I prayed to the God of the heavens and I said to the king….”
This is always the way of Klal Yisrael. Before our case is presented to the king, we seek support from the King of Kings. Today we pray that tomorrow He guide PM Netanyahu to address Congress effectively on our behalf.
Every one of us can make this day especially meaningful, looking inward and upward, committing to better ourselves, our relationships to each other and to Klal Yisrael, and our commitment to God and His Torah. We must daven to Hashem for Israel, for the heroic soldiers of Tzahal, for the hostages and their families, and for the displaced. And we must pray for the wellbeing of the United States and its leaders and that Hashem place in their hearts to look and act favorably towards our people everywhere, Amen.