Tomorrow night at sunset, the fast of Tisha B'av begins. In addition to lesser tragedies that have befallen the Jewish People, this day commemorates the destruction of both the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem.
The Talmud teaches us that the Second Temple was destroyed because of sinat chinam, senseless hatred. In the Talumudic tract Gittin, a story is told that's meant to exemplify how. You can find a rough translation of it here.
The story is like a puzzle in which close examination will bring to light many human failings. Pride, deception, lack of compassion, apathy, excessive zealousness, revenge, and others not so simple to name. The Talmud paints an ugly picture of strife and contention between and among friends, families and colleagues.
When the fast of Tisha B'av ends, the expulsion from Gaza is scheduled to begin. Surely the irony isn't lost on Ariel Sharon. Will the Ninth of Av, 5765, mark yet another in the series of tragedies mourned by the Jews in the years to come? Or not, whether by aversion of the decree or aversion of disaster following its implementation? In the meantime, I hope that we all, disengagement opponents and supporters alike, can recognize a bit of ourselves in the Sages' portrait of first century C.E. Jerusalem, and try to turn away from senseless hatred, baseless accusations and ugly stereotypes, so that future generations won't have to say that Israel was destroyed a second time by sinat chinam.
Judith has assembled a wealth of information and links for the Temple Mount Blogburst at Kesher Talk, including a section on Tisha B'av. Go and see.
Shabbat Shalom.
