Rabbi Yaniv Meirov, rav of Congregation Charm Circle and CEO of Chazaq, greeted everyone on Sunday night, July 13, for the Shiv’ah Asar B’Tamuz shiurim at Havurat Yisrael, sponsored by Chazaq. He explained that Shiv’ah Asar B’Tamuz is a very sad day, marking the beginning of the Three Weeks – the mourning period that leads to Tish’ah B’Av, when both Holy Temples were destroyed.
He noted that the fast is named after a date, not an event. Similarly, Tish’ah B’Av is not a name but a date. Five tragic events happened on the 17th of Tamuz: The walls of Yerushalayim were breached, a sefer Torah was burned, an idol was placed in the Kodesh HaKodashim [the Holy of Holies], the daily Tamid offering was stopped, and Moshe Rabbeinu broke the Luchos when he saw the Golden Calf.
The reason these fasts are called by dates instead of names, Rabbi Meirov explained, is because very soon, im yirtzeh Hashem, these days will become days of joy. They are not defined by tragedy because, ultimately, they will be transformed. This teaches a message of faith: Always remember that Hashem has a master plan for each of us.
The Second Beis HaMikdash was destroyed because of baseless hatred and lashon ha’ra. Every year that it is not rebuilt, it is as if it was destroyed in that year. The same issues that existed then still exist today.
The opposite of sin’as chinam is ahavas chinam. The root of the Hebrew word for “to love” is hav, meaning “to give.” The more you give to individuals, the more you love them. The Hebrew word nasan – “he gave” – is a palindrome in both Hebrew and English characters, teaching that what you give comes back to you. The more you give, the more Hashem gives you.
Even the names for parents, Aba and Ima, are palindromes. The way you treat your parents is the way your children will treat you.
Trials come to klal Yisrael because we don’t serve Hashem with simchah. We believe, but we don’t always understand. In this world, there are no answers, but in Shamayim, there are no questions, because everything is crystal clear. Everything Hashem does is for the best. If a person truly believes this, he will live with simchah.
When Miriam passed away, her well stopped providing water. This teaches us the importance of showing appreciation for everything we have. Hashem sends us countless blessings, yet we often fail to notice them or say to Him, “Thank You.” When that happens, Hashem may send difficulties to remind us of His blessings. If we cultivate gratitude, we won’t need those reminders.
“The voice is the voice of Yaakov, but the hands are the hands of Eisav.” When am Yisrael faces challenges, our strength is in our voice. Fighting is not our way. Our mouths – our t’filos – are our tool for success. One must continue praying, even when it seems unanswered. There is no such thing as a wasted prayer. Hashem answers every t’filah.
If we have the ability to rebuke or inspire someone, and we fail to do so, the responsibility may fall on our shoulders. We must inspire others. Building a relationship with Hashem brings the greatest joy in the world.
“Life and death are in the power of the tongue.” We must be careful not to speak lashon ha’ra. To succeed, we need Torah and our rebbeim to guide us. The best feeling is when we have clarity. Amalek represents safeik – doubt and lack of clarity.
Each of us has three “I’s”: Information, Inspiration, and Implementation. Information comes to us constantly. Sometimes it sparks Inspiration. But often, it ends there. The crucial third step is Implementation. We must take that inspiration and act on it. In this way, we can work on ahavas Yisrael and merit to no longer sit on the floor on Tish’ah B’Av.
Rabbi Avrohom Walkin, a dedicated and motivated m’chaneich, spoke next. He explained that the five tragedies listed in the Mishnah as occurring on the 17th of Tamuz teach us what our mission is during the Three Weeks.
Each person experiences his own personal “breaking of the Luchos” when he slacks off in consistency in his observance. His korban Tamid – his daily dedication – takes a hit. He develops cracks in his spiritual armor, like the breaching of Yerushalayim’s walls. His Torah can be “burned” when he blames Hashem for his difficulties, weakening his spirituality. Blaming the very things that give him life can open the door to foreign influences entering his life.
A person must recognize when he has fallen so that he can begin the process of rising again.
Following this, Rabbi Avrohom Levitt, Assistant Rabbi of Havurat Yisrael, spoke. He emphasized the importance of taking on more Torah learning and attending more shiurim.