Page 6 - HaMizrachi Tisha B'Av AUS 2021

TORAT MIZRACHI MIZRACHI EDUCATORS

Rabbi Reuven Taragin

Tisha B’Av in an Age of

Open Antisemitism

Tisha B’Av Loneliness only in Muslim countries and across the betrayal and isolation so we would appre-
European continent, but also in the US, ciate the need to turn and return to Him.
isha B’Av is about loneliness. Megi- Canada and around the world.
lat Eicha begins by reflecting on
the reality of Jewish loneliness. Our peace overtures and territorial with- Realizing Our Destiny
TWe accentuate this emotion on drawals have failed to earn us the world’s
Tisha B’Av by refraining from greeting sympathy and understanding. Antisem- The Jewish people are meant to impact
each other and even itism has once again proved its amazing and lead others. Unfortunately, sometimes
on Erev Tisha B’Av, by resilience and has morphed into a virulent our relationships with others cause us to
eating separately. 1 strain of anti-Zionism that does not allow lose our appreciation of our unique Jewish
true reality to keep it from demonizing identity and relationship with Hashem.
Last year’s Tisha B’Av Israel and the Jewish people. The hatred of others who distance them-
was an especially selves from us should remind us of our
lonely one. Covid unique identity and mission and inspire
reality and restric- Megillat Eicha on Antisemitism us to return to Hashem with renewed com-
tions reinforced our mitment and connection. When we do so,
feeling of loneliness. Of course, after suffering from antisemi- we can rightfully recite Eicha’s concluding
ָ
It was not only the tism in so many forms over so many cen- pasuk: ה ָבּו ׁשָנ ְו ךי ֶל ֵא ’ה ּונ ֵבי ׁש ֲה. May our doing
ִ
laws of Tisha B’Av that turies, we should no longer be surprised. so merit our experiencing the conclusion
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kept us from greeting In fact, the Torah teaches us to expect of that pasuk: ם ֶד ֶק ְּכ ּוני ֵמָי ׁש ּ ֵד ַח.
and embracing each antisemitism. Megillat Eicha laments its
other, but also con- existence and teaches us what to learn
cern for our health from it. 1 See more on this topic in my piece in last year’s Tisha
and welfare. After opening by bemoaning how others B’Av HaMizrachi: mizrachi.org/hamizrachi/archive.
Devarim 28:68, Tehillim and Midrash Tehillim 25:19.
Tisha B’Av this year abandoned us, the first perek of Megillat 2 See also Maharal’s Gevruot Hashem 54 and the Intro-
should have a differ- Eicha ends with our call to Hashem: “I duction to the Siddur of Rav Yaakov Emden.
ent feeling. Our com- called for my lovers but they deceived me…
munities are emerg- See, Hashem for I am in distress… There is
ing from Covid. We none to comfort me.”
are once again able to Perek Bet emphasizes that Hashem is the
gather and connect one who has brought the suffering. It is His
with each other. That way of calling us to turn to him. “Hashem
said, we are still feel- has done that which He devised. He has
ing lonely this year, fulfilled His word that He commanded in
for a different reason. days of old... Arise, cry out in the night, in
the beginning of the watches pour out your

heart like water opposite Hashem’s face…” Rabbi Reuven Taragin is Educational
Reminder of Antisemitism Director of Mizrachi and Dean of the
The pivotal, personal Perek Gimmel recog- Yeshivat HaKotel Overseas Program.
The recent Israel-Arab conflict reminded nizes it is Hashem who has isolated us
us of our people’s existential loneliness. from the rest of the world with the inten-
This is not the first time Israel has been tion that we focus on our relationship
attacked by its Arab neighbors. It is also with Him. Isolation helps us appreciate
not the first time popular world opinion neglected and abused relationships.
has been marshalled against us.
This reflection leads to a return to Hashem
It is, however, the first time these external later in the perek: “Let us search and try Scan here to join Rabbi Taragin’s
attacks were accompanied by the inter- our ways and turn back to Hashem. Let WhatsApp group with daily Divrei Torah
nal attacks of Arab citizens of the State of us lift up our heart with our hands to G-d
Israel. It is also the first time Jews around in the heavens. We have transgressed and A member of the Mizrachi Speakers Bureau
the world were targeted with open hos- have rebelled…” Am Yisrael has gotten the mizrachi.org/speakers
tility and violence. This was the case not message. Hashem orchestrated the mass

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