Our Sages (Yoma 9) reveal that the Temple was destroyed because of the sin of sinas chinum – “baseless hatred.” The Talmud (Gittin 56) gives an example of the sinas chinum that occurred during that time: A man had a friend named Kamtza and an enemy named Bar Kamtza. He made a party and asked his servant [...]
Parshat Devarim is the beginning of the longest sermon in Jewish history – Moses’ final speech to the Jewish people took 36 days. In this address he reminds them of previous downfalls and prepares them for a new life in the Promised Land, a land he himself was not permitted to enter. I would like [...]
Podcasts on Tisha B’Av by David Sacks David Sacks is a television writer and producer. His writing and producing credits include The Simpsons, 3rd Rock From the Sun, Malcolm in the Middle, The Tick and Murphy Brown. The only Simpsons episode Sacks has written is the season six episode “Fear of Flying”. Born and raised in New [...]
As we read the parsha on a weekly basis and we follow the Jewish people on their journey from slavery to the Promised Land, it is quite breathtaking how often they argue, rebel and refuse to listen to Aaron, Moses and even G-d. Despite the fact that they are witnessing daily miracles, and are actually being [...]
The 9th of Av is the 25 hour fast (this year starts: sunset, Monday, July 19) commemorating when the two Temples were both destroyed. To display our mourning we do not wear leather shoes, act intimately, bathe for pleasure, or anoint. Until noontime on Tuesday, we sit on low chairs or pillows, do not put on tefillin or tallit gadol, refrain [...]
The First and Second Holy Temples in Jerusalem have been destroyed, with the world awaiting the building of the Third Holy Temple (Third Beit HaMikdash). Why is the world concerned with the building of the Third Holy Temple, and not just the Jewish People? The answer can be found in the prophecy of Yeshayahu (Isaiah) [...]
