Hi,
This Saturday night and Sunday is Tisha B’av. The ninth day of the Jewish month of Av.
The saddest day in the Jewish calendar.
Many tragedies happened to the Jewish People on that day throughout history.
Including the destruction of the Temple and Jerusalem by the Romans in the year 70.
… For two thousand years Jews have fasted, sat on the floor and mourned.
But they also reflected on the miracle of Jewish survival.
How we survived the worst the world threw at us.
And proved to be the Eternal People as the Torah promised.
… Here’s something I think about often.
Including today as I sat down to write the Torah Minute.
The Romans didn’t just destroy Jerusalem.
They were out to destroy Judaism and the Jewish People.
Teaching Torah was a capital offense. They burned every Torah scroll they could find.
Picture going back to the year 70. It looks like it’s all over.
But you approach a Roman soldier. And tell him the following.
“Don’t worry. We’ll be back.
And you’ll be in the museum”!
He would think you’re absolutely crazy!
… Then you continue.
“If you happen to be around in the 21st Century?
I invite you to come to the Roman stadium in Caesarea.
And enjoy a concert from the Israeli Philharmonic Orchestra!
He’d think you’re absolutely out of your mind!
… A Torah Minute reader went to Rome last year.
I asked him to do something for me. And for all of us.
What did he do?
He stood in the Roman stadium and made a declaration.
“I study Torah”!
… It’s the miracle of Jewish survival.
And it should inspire us!
All the best,