Rabbi's Message

Today, 17th day of the Hebrew month of Tammuz, is a minor fast day (from dawn to dusk) which commemorates the breach of the walls of Jerusalem before the destruction of the Second Temple.  The 17th of Tammuz also marks the beginning of the three-week quasi mourning period leading up to the most solemn day of the Jewish year, Tisha B’Av (a major fast day—from dusk to dusk).  The three weeks beginning with the 17th of Tammuz and ending with the 9th of Av are known as Bein haMetzarim ("between the straits", i.e. between the days of distress).

Why such sadness over walls that were breached nearly 2,000 years ago?   Well, in the ancient world, walls represented a very strong aspect of national strength and sovereignty. A city could be a city, but there was really no security to it unless it had a wall, and no one wants to reside in a city without a strong aspect of security. A people could be conquered, but to have a city without walls meant true humiliation and vulnerability.  The breach of the walls of Jerusalem created a fissure in the foundation of Judaism and Jewish sovereignty of the holy city.

However, today, we are blessed that Jerusalem is once again united and under Jewish sovereignty.  While there is much work to do for peace in Jerusalem and throughout Israel, many have asked whether it is time to change our observance of the 17th of Tammuz.

This year, on the 17th of Tammuz 5783, allow me to suggest that current problem in our world is not walls that are breached, but rather, walls that are being erected.  In our world today we see both physical and metaphorical walls of separation, division, and even hatred being built from intolerance, bigotry, misunderstanding and hurt.  We find ourselves surrounded by walls so high that we simply do not have to interface with people whom we disagree with.  Walls so high that we shut the “other” out.  Walls so high, that we lose ourselves within the edifice.  Rabbi Jonathan Sacks(z”l), the former Chief Rabbi of the UK once wrote: "living behind high walls is not a sign of strength. It's a sign of weakness."  Perhaps we indeed have a new reason to fast today.  Whether you choose to fast or not, may we all take time today to reflect on the walls that we have built and the walls that we must endeavor to tear down, in the days to come.

Shabbat Shalom.