Between the Straits
While summer is still sizzling, and vacation season is in full swing, Jewish people spend this day, the 17th of the Jewish month of Tammuz, fasting. Rabbinic tradition holds that Moses smashed the tablets bearing the Ten Commandments on the 17th of Tammuz, but the day is observed because it recalls the first breach of the walls of Jerusalem in 586 BCE by the Babylonians—who proceeded to destroy the First Temple. The 17th of Tammuz initiates a three-week period of mourning and introspection that culminates in the darkest date on the Jewish calendar— the 9th day of Av, more commonly known as Tisha B'Av.
It was on the 9th of Av that both the First and Second Temples were destroyed, and the final Jewish revolt against the Roman occupation—the Bar Kochba Rebellion—was quelled. Jumping ahead, to England in 1290, the 9th of Av was the day the Jews were expelled by Kind Edward I. Likewise, in 1492, the Alhambra Decree declared this day as the deadline for all Jews to be out of Spain. Germany declared war on Russia in 1914 on the 9th of Av, as well—an event some believe helped set the stage for Hitler’s eventual rise to power and the Holocaust that followed.
The three-week period between the 17th of Tammuz and the 9th of Av is referred to as Bein Hametzarim, which means “between the straits" in Hebrew. The phrase is taken from the Book of Lamentations: “…all her (Jerusalem's) persecutors overtook her between the straits.” (Eichah 1:3)
So during this time, we fast and pray to remember the calamities we’ve faced through the ages, and repent for our failings and wrongdoings. Indeed, Jewish history is riddled with challenges and sorrow. This observance is particularly significant during this time of COVID when Jews and non-Jews alike are mourning the loss of life and the difficulties of navigating a worldwide pandemic in our daily lives.
As Jews, we turn to G-d and Torah to make sense of this difficult time. We are faced with the choice to not simply take care of ourselves, but also to reach out to others. Long ago, my children attended preschool at our local Jewish Community Center. One day, my oldest son, only four at the time, forgot his lunch. Without any adult prompting, all of the kids that sat at his table pulled sandwiches, fruit, and other snacks out of their own lunches to give to him. I tear up when I think about how our community has thrived in the best and worst of times by taking care of each other.
As we, “the people of the book,” reflect on the sufferings of our people, we must also reconnect with G-d and give thanks for His consolation, comfort, and the bright future He is helping us build in the midst of so much darkness.
"I remember the unfailing devotion of your youth, the love of your bridal days, when you followed Me in the wilderness, through a land unsown. Israel was then holy to the Lord, the firstfruits of His harvest…” —Yirmeyahu 2:1-3
May the light of Hashem draw you near to Him, and may you experience His blessings in the midst of this pandemic.
