There is a story told of Napoleon Bonaparte, once he was traveling through a small Jewish town in Europe and when he was passing through a street in which there was a Synagogue, he heard people weeping from inside. He decided to go inside and see what was happening. When he entered there he saw an incredible sight. Men and women were sitting on low stools , they were carrying candles while reading from books. The sight was somber, gloomy and sad.
Napoleon asked what misfortune had befallen them. An enlightened Jewish French officer told him that nothing new had happened, he said “tonight is Tisha B’Av the saddest day in the Jewish history. It’s the day the two Temples were destroyed and many calamities happened too. In order to commemorate these events they gather once a year in a Synagogue, they fast and read the book of Lamentations “Eichah”. What you see now here it is also happening all over the world in Jewish communities.”
Napoleon asked “how long has this going on?” The officer answered “over 2000 years”. To what Napoleon answered “a nation that cries and fasts for over 2000 years for its Temple will surely be rewarded with their Temple.”
Although today is a sad day, the bitterness we feel should be used to put us into action by dedicating our life’s to more love, more kindness, more Torah, more Mitzvahs. It is not meant to depress us, on the contrary it is meant to empower us.
At the end of the day today is a happy day, for at the end we know everything will be all right
Wishing everyone an easy fast !
Live a little higher
