Special edition for the 17th of Tammuz
The three weeks are weeks of introspection. We aren’t just mourning for the sake of mourning; we are actually taking out time to remember that we had a Bet HaMikdash that was destroyed, and it was destroyed for a reason.
Our goal is to fix the cause.
The Mishna Berurah says that the fasting is secondary. The main point is to commit oneself to change. Therefore, we have to analyze the reasons behind the destruction of the Bet Hamikdash.
The Gemara, in Masechet Shabbat 119b gives a very long list of reasons.
We will discuss many of them and explain what each has to do with us.
-The first: Abaye says that Yerushalayim was destroyed because of the desecration of Shabbat.
-Rav Abahu says that Yerushalayim was destroyed because they didn’t say Keriyat Shema in the morning and at night. He says that they were busy chasing pleasures and partying, so they missed Arbit at night, and then they overslept and missed Shaharit in the mornings. He brings a pasuk that says they’d go into exile because of a lack of knowledge that comes with keriyat Shema.
In other words, had they accepted G-d’s yoke upon themselves, they wouldn’t have sinned.
These things are both triggers: Shabbat, and keriyat shema, are both major messages of emunah.
-Rav Hamnunah says Yerushalayim was destroyed because they didn’t have proper educational systems for their children. If children aren’t educated properly, there will end up sinning and society can’t survive.
- Ulah says that Yerushalayim was destroyed because they didn’t have shame. People weren’t bashful and they lacked proper Middot. This is a cause for social breakdown and decadence.
-Rav Yitzhak says that Yerushalayim was destroyed because they didn’t give proper respect to their elders.
-Rava says that Yerushalayim was destroyed because they didn’t deal honestly in business.
Those are all Gemaras in Masechet Shabbat.
-Rav Yochanan says Yerushalayim was destroyed because they didn’t go beyond the call of duty. They didn’t go לִפְנִים מִשּׁוּרַת הַדִּין: Above the letter of the letter of the law
Another reason that Yerushalayim was destroyed, which is very well known, is because of Sinat Hinam- baseless hate, as the Gemara in Masechet Yoma says.
Finally, it was destroyed because they didn’t properly appreciate learning Torah, so they didn’t learn the proper way.
These are many of the reasons why Jerusalem was destroyed, and there are basic themes involved: strengthening Emunah, learning Torah, acting with proper Middot, going beyond the call of duty.
The Ohr HaChaim HaKaddosh says in his sefer Chefetz Hashem (his commentary on Masechet Shabbat), that each one of these things, on their own, could have prevented Jerusalem from being destroyed.
If any one of these things were strengthened properly, even if the other sins were still there, Jerusalem would not have been destroyed.
Each one of them had the power to turn everything around.
That’s a very important piece of information, because we want to use these three weeks properly. If we strengthen ourselves in any one of these areas, and we dedicate ourselves to them, it will be the cause to rededicate the Bet HaMikdash.
We are all familiar with the famous Gemara that says that for each generation in which the Bet HaMikdash is not rebuilt, it’s as if it was destroyed. So, we have the ability to rebuild the Bet HaMikdash, by rededicating ourselves to these areas.
To that end, we’ve mentioned, not long ago, that recently in the Syrian community of Flatbush, a beautiful learning platform called Torah Minds was launched, for growth through structured learning.
The second semester is starting next week and will last for three weeks.
I would like to give everyone the opportunity to register for one of these courses. They don’t directly discuss the three weeks, but each of the subjects falls under the umbrella of the topics we’ve just discussed.
See the list of courses below, and sign up at Torahminds.com
Men’s Courses
•Rabbi David Ashear-Peace and Tranquility in the Home-getting along with, and respecting people
•Rabbi Saul J. Kassin-Shabbat: Laws of Electricity -
•Rabbi David Mansour-Gemara For Beginners -This gives one the opportunity to appreciate what Gemara is, and an appreciation for Torah learning.
•Rabbi Joey Mizrahi-Kibud Ab Va'em--Respecting elders is one of areas they were lacking, as we mentioned
•Rabbi Joey Srour-Laws of Ribit and Application to Daily Life-This goes back to dealing properly in business
•Rabbi David Sutton-An In-depth Understanding of the Siddur- Part 2 (Birkat Hatorah - Vaybarech David)-This is related to what we mentioned about the people not being careful with Keriat Shema. You must know how to pray. We will begin with Bircat HaTorah. One of the reasons the Bet HaMikdash was destroyed was because they didn’t make a Birkat Torah before learning.
Mens & Ladies Courses
•Rabbi Joey Haber-Defining the Words of the Amidah Part 2- this is connected to prayer as mentioned above.
•Rabbi Marc Sultan-Shaar HaBitachon - Part 2-The Gaon of Vilna says that Sinat Hinam is based on a lack of Bitachon. If you rely on Hashem, you can’t hate anyone, because they haven’t done anything wrong.
•Rabbi Meyer Yedid-The Laws of Shabbat - Preparing for Shabbat – As stated before Shabbat is the first on the list of reasons of the Churban .
Ladies Courses
•Mrs. Bonnie Mansour-The Kosher Kitchen - (Precautions: The food we bring In- The food we eat out.)-Kashrut isn’t directly related to these causes of the Churban, but in order to have the proper emunah and hashkafa, the Rambam says you have to eat kosher.
•Mrs. Jamie Soudry-Women of Dignity in Tanach -This will teach us how to aspire to their great Middot.
•Mrs. Esther Tawachi-Relationships through a Torah Lens. This is all about Middot and proper interaction and going beyond the call of duty.
So again, we advise and suggest that everyone go to Torahminds.com to register, because if you don’t register you can’t be part of the courses. The courses will be given weekly, over three weeks. You’ll get source sheets; you’ll get educated and it’s worthwhile.
Go for it.
Have a wonderful day and a meaningful fast.