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Tisha b'Av
Apr. 5th, 2002 11:50 amThis entry grew out of a conversation here.
Last spring someone asked me if I fast on Tisha b'Av and I automatically said "yes" (which was accurate). Then I thought about it. I don't pray for the restoration of the Temple; do I really mourn its destruction? The more I thought about it, the more I realized that I do not in fact mourn it. The destruction of the Temple was a necessary transition point for us to move forward, just as entering into slavery in Egypt was necessary for us to ultimately move forward at Sinai. We celebrate the exodus, but we don't mourn the slavery. Why then would I mourn the Temple?
Last summer I did not fast on Tisha b'Av, and now I can say with confidence that I do not fast on that day. I do not believe I am sinning in this; quite the opposite. Rather, it would be a sin for me to falsely mourn.
Last spring someone asked me if I fast on Tisha b'Av and I automatically said "yes" (which was accurate). Then I thought about it. I don't pray for the restoration of the Temple; do I really mourn its destruction? The more I thought about it, the more I realized that I do not in fact mourn it. The destruction of the Temple was a necessary transition point for us to move forward, just as entering into slavery in Egypt was necessary for us to ultimately move forward at Sinai. We celebrate the exodus, but we don't mourn the slavery. Why then would I mourn the Temple?
Last summer I did not fast on Tisha b'Av, and now I can say with confidence that I do not fast on that day. I do not believe I am sinning in this; quite the opposite. Rather, it would be a sin for me to falsely mourn.