Hi,

Here’s why there will be no Torah Minute tomorrow.  The ninth day of Av.

The saddest day in the Jewish calendar.

It may surprise you.

…It’s because we’re not supposed to study Torah!

Doesn’t sound very Jewish?

It’s very Jewish!

Because tomorrow is a day of mourning.

We remember the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple.

As well as other tragedies of Jewish history.

And Torah study gives us pleasure!

The inspiration.  The intellectual challenge.  And the self improvement.

Not to mention the privilege it is to learn G-d’s Torah!

So it’s not done on Tisha b’av.

I think it’s a uniquely Jewish concept.

You’re not supposed to have pleasure?

No studying!

… Here’s a thought about Jerusalem.

When we offer condolences to a family mourning the loss of a loved one.

When we make a Shiva visit?

There’s a traditional blessing that is said.

“May you be comforted among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.”

Why do we mention Jerusalem?

It seems out of place!

Here’s a fascinating idea.

It tells us a lot about Jewish consciousness.

About the place that Jerusalem has had in the hearts of the Jewish People.

For over two thousand years!

And about the deep spiritual connection to Jerusalem.

It also helps explain the miracle of our return to Jerusalem.

… When people lose a close relative?

They mourn the loss.

And then something else happens.

It brings back other memories.

Of other loved ones that are no longer with them.

And they mourn over them too.

…  That’s the way it always was with the Jewish People.

When they lost a loved one?

It brought back memories of another loss.

Jerusalem!

 All the best,