A moment of reflection with Rabbi Yona Reiss
Tomorrow we begin the day of mourning of Tisha B’av, when we recite the Book of Lamentations (Eichah), which bemoans the desolation of the Jewish people following the destruction of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. Commentators note the similarity in Hebrew letters between the word “Eichah" and the word “Ayekah” (Genesis 3:9) when G-d inquires of Adam “where are you?”
We must now ask ourselves “where are we” in terms of taking the necessary steps during these challenging times to rebuild what we lost, through love and caring about all people, and embracing our timeless Torah traditions.
Let us pave the way for redemption by living redeeming lives, with a spirit of compassion toward each other, and emulate G-d by lifting up the vulnerable—and all people.
Rabbi Yona Reiss, Av Beth Din of the Chicago Rabbinical Council |