We are in the midst of the three weeks that commence with the fast day of the 17th of Tammuz and culminates with the fast of the ninth day of the Hebrew month of Av. These three weeks have always been a period of great national and personal danger throughout history. Time in general according to Jewish thought does not go forward in a linear fashion but rather flows through appointed times and seasons in a cyclical and upward spiral fashion. It is those appointed times and seasons that impact the spiritual mood and character of each period in time.
The three weeks speak of difficulty, dissension and danger. So it was that both temples were destroyed and our people exiled and suffered one calamity after anther during this time period. The sin of the spies in the time of the bible and the same sin re-enacted in our days during the expulsion of the Jewish residents of Gush Katif and the northern Shomron also occured during these 3 weeks. Most recently it was also the time of the badly managed second Lebanon war.
As Jews we believe that the wilderness is necessary before the blessing. In fact we believe that the wilderness is part of the blessing. So we enter these days of the three weeks and the fast of Tisha B'Av with the knowledge that it is on Tisha B'Av that redemption begins again.
"Those that sow in tears..in joy...they shall reap" (psalm 126)
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