Central to Tisha B’Av is reading the Book of Eicha (Lamentations), which recalls in grave detail the brutal destruction of Jewish life in Jerusalem. While the date is linked to the razing of both the First and Second Temples, our tradition points to a powerful lesson related to the fate of the Second Temple that was destroyed by the Roman occupiers in 69 CE.

A famous midrash teaches the story of Bar Kamtza as reflective of the vicious infighting between Jews in Israel at the time. What started as a misunderstanding devolved into public humiliation. This quickly led to cold-hearted retribution that would trigger catastrophic consequences for all of Israel at the hands of the Romans. In the centuries since, our tradition has held that it was baseless hatred between Jews that caused the destruction of the Second Temple.

In the twentieth century, an extraordinary rabbinic figure played a unique role in the evolution of Zionism. Rabbi Abraham Isaac Kook, the first chief Ashkenazi rabbi of the British Mandate, was famed for his love and appreciation of the intrinsic value of every Jew, religious and secular alike. Along with his firm belief in the oneness of the Jewish people, Rabbi Kook had a profound sense of responsibility for all of humanity and believed that a Jewish state would be a blessing to the world.

“If we destroyed [the Second Temple], and the world with us, through needless hatred,” wrote Rabbi Kook, “we will rebuild [the Third Temple] and the world with us, through unconditional love.”

To be sure, I share this not as a political comment about the Temple Mount today. I share it as a spiritual reflection on the meaning of the Temple as a source of connection to the holy—and how unmitigated kindness for one another strengthens that connection.

If kindness and understanding were always easy or natural, perhaps these lessons would not be so central to our tradition. But as Tisha B’Av suggests, even in the midst of adversity, Judaism calls on us to focus on what each of us can do to transform what’s broken into something whole—and holy. Especially in our relationships with one another.

I wish all who are observing a safe and meaningful fast. May we soon see the liberation of our hostages, along with peace, security, and unity throughout Israel and among all people of goodwill.

Shabbat Shalom,

Adam Minsky

President & CEO
UJA Federation of Greater Toronto