This Shabbat is Tu B’Av, the fifteenth day of the month of Av as well as Shabbat Nachamu, the Shabbat of consolation.

Tu B’Av is celebrated exactly six months after Tu B’Shavat, the fifteenth day of the month of Shvat, the birthday of the trees. Is there a connection between these two days?

The Shuchan Aruch, Orach Chayim 131:6 in the laws of reciting Tachnun teaches: “The custom is not to not “put down the head” (recite Tachnun) on the 15^th of Av or the 15^th of Shvat...” These dates are listed along with the other minor holidays where Tachnun is not recited .

Rabbi Zeev Schwartz points out that there is a deeper connection between the two days

Both dates are associated with trees.

When we plant a fruit bearing tree, we count three years from when it was planted and we are not allowed to eat the fruits the first three years according to the laws of Orlah as it says in the Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh Deah 294:4:

If one plants before the 16^th of Av, so that 44 days remain before the 1^st of Tishrei (Rosh HaShana) then we can already count those 44 days as the first year. After that we only need to count two more years. If one plants on the 16^th of Av or later, one needs to count three complete years from the first of Tishrei. After the first of Tishrei in the 4^th year, all fruits that bloom on it prior to the 15^th of Shvat are subject to Orlah.

It is clear that both dates have Halachic agricultural ramifications.

The Talmud, Taanit 30b lists six reasons why Tu B’Av is one of the most festive days on the calendar. The sixth is an agricultural reason given by Rabba bar Rav Yosef in Taanit 31a:

The 15^th of Av was the day that they stopped felling trees for the Altar pyre. As we learned in a braita: Rabbi Eliezer HaGadol said: From the 15^th of Av and onward the sun’s strength wanes and thereafter they would not fell trees for the Altar pyre since the wood would not sufficiently dry. Rav Menashya said: They therefore called that day “Yom Tvar Magal”, the day of the axe’s breaking.

On what date did they start cutting down the trees?

According to Maharsha, although the Gemara only told us when they stopped cutting down the trees for the Altar, it makes sense that they began to cut the trees down on Tu B’Shvat, exactly six months before, as that is the date that most of the winter rains have already fallen so the wood would have an opportunity to dry out.

Rashbam (Taanit 31a) explains that they made a celebration on Tu B’Av since they completed the mitzvah of cutting down the trees. In Megillat Taanit, Tu B’Av is listed as the holiday of the Sacrifice of the Wood, a time for the bringing of the wood of the Kohanim and eulogies are prohibited.

The Mishna, Taanit 4:5 lists the time of the wood offering for the Kohanim and the people. There are nine such dates. On the 15^th of Av: the descendents of Zatu ben Yehuda would bring a wood offering. Included with this group were the Kohanim, Leviim and anyone who erred with regard to his tribe (Israelites who didn’t know where they were from) and the descendents of those who deceived their descendents with a pestle and the descendents of those who packed dried figs.

The Rambam writes in Hilchot Klei Mikdash 6:9:

What was the sacrifice of wood? Certain families had a fixed time on which they would go out to the forests and bring wood for the arrangement on the Altar. On the day designated for this family to bring their sacrifices, they would bring voluntary burnt offerings. This was called the Sacrifice of the Wood. It was like a festival for these families and they were forbidden to have eulogies delivered, fast and work on that day. This was a custom.

We see from here that Tu B’Shvat and Tu B’Av are connected. Although Tu B’Av is mostly known today as the holiday of love, that is only one of six reasons given in the Talmud for why the holiday is celebrated. This year Tu B’Av takes on another meaning as it is the last chance to plant a tree before the Shmita (Sabbatical) year. Since Tu B’Av falls on Shabbat this year, Friday will be the last day to plant a tree.

May we see many trees planted to make Israel even more fruitful and beautiful and may Tu B’Av be fully reestablished just as Tu B’Shvat has been revived.

Dedicated by Naema Sharon in loving memory of her dear friend, Ahava Emunah bat Chava Ehta z”l. May your holy neshama have an aliyah and may all who love and miss you be comforted.

On Shabbat Nachamu, the Shabbat of Comfort which immediately follows Tisha B’Av, we read the Haftara from Yishayahu Chapter 40:

Comfort (nachamu) My people, comfort them, says your God. Speak to the heart of Jerusalem (dabru al lev Yerushalayim) and proclaim to her, that her war service is ended, that her iniquity is pardoned, for she has received from the hand of God double for all her sins.

The themes in these two verses echo other places in the TaNaCh.

In the story of Yosef and his brothers, after Yaakov passed away, Yosef’s brothers were worried that he would hold a grudge against them for throwing him in the pit. Yosef told them not to worry as he is not in the place of God. Yosef tells his brothers (Breisheet 50:21): “‘Fear not. I will nourish you and your children’. And he comforted (vayinachem) them and spoke to their heart (vayidaber al libam).”

We also see the same two phrases used together again in Megillat Ruth:

Boaz invites Ruth to glean in his fields with the other women and offers her protection as well as water to drink. He explains that he heard about the loving kindness that she did for her mother-in-law. In Ruth 2:13, she answers: “May I continue to find favour in your eyes, my lord, because you have comforted me (nichamtani) and because you have spoken to the heart (dibarta al lev) of your handmaid, though I am not even like one of your handmaidens.”

We see from these examples that comforting and speaking to the heart go together.

The “nachamu” prophecy can also be looked at as a mashal, an allegory for laws in the Torah and the punishments that they incur when they are not observed.

Jerusalem was punished for her sin and now she has been forgiven- she already paid her dues. Just like a soldier whose army service has ended, a person who served their jail sentence after breaking the law or someone who had to pay double after stealing.

As we see in Shmot 21:37-22:3:

If a man shall steal an ox, or a sheep or a goat and slaughter it or sell it, he shall pay five cattle in place of the ox, and four sheep. If the thief is discovered while tunnelling in, and he is struck and dies, there is no blood-guilt on his account. If the sun shone upon him, there is blood guilt on his account. He shall make restitution; if he has nothing, he shall be sold for his theft. If the theft shall be found in his possession – whether a live ox or donkey or sheep or goat- he shall pay double.

Just as the robber has to pay double and as the thief who didn’t have any money to repay what was stolen was sold to slavery for a limited amount of time, so too did Jerusalem (Israel) pay her dues.

In Israel today, as in all countries, there are people who do not abide by the law, and some more famous than others. They all must be tried and if necessary, carry out their sentence. It doesn’t matter if it is a famous singer, a supermodel, a former president, chief rabbi or prime minister. A celebrity should not be treated differently than a regular citizen.

Once they have served their time, those who broke the law will be integrated back into society and move on with their lives. Hopefully, they will learn their lesson and correct their behaviour in the future.

Jerusalem suffered when the First Temple was destroyed, but after 70 years, the sentence was up. Jerusalem was given another chance, deserved or not. Unfortunately, Jerusalem failed again and the Second Temple was destroyed as well.

Now we are back and we need to see how we can correct the mistakes of the past. We need to follow a higher level of morals and ethics. We need words of comfort and encouragement coming from the heart to give us hope for a brighter future.

When we go to a shiva house, we are “menachem avel”, comforting the mourner, trying to find the right words that speak to their heart. After Tisha B’Av, the month of Av is transformed into Menachem Av, the comforted month of Av. Let’s use this precious time to comfort those who are hurting during these difficult times and see how we can pick up the pieces and lay the foundations for the Third Beit HaMikdash.

In honor of Jonah Gershman’s aliya

This Shabbat is Shabbat Nachamu, the Shabbat of Consolation. Who exactly needs to be consoled?

In the Midrash Zuta Eicha, we see two different views:

 The first view is that God comforts Am Yisrael for the loss of their city, Jerusalem.

The second view is that we. Am Yisrael, comfort God for the loss of His city, Jerusalem.

The midrash explains:

If a man’s wife passes away, God forbid, the husband must to be comforted. In Eicha 3:6, Zion is compared to a person who died: “He has placed me in darkness like the eternally dead.” Since God is like the husband and Zion, the wife, then we must comfort God after Zion is destroyed, just as we would comfort a mourner after the loss of their spouse.

The midrash continues:

If chas v’chalila children pass away, their parents need to be comforted as it says in Yirmiyahu 5:20: “...My sons have left me and are no more...” Since God is like the parent, He needs to be consoled.

If chas v’shalom someone’s house is destroyed in a fire, that person needs compassion as it says in Yirmiyahu 52:13: “He burned the Temple of God, the king’s palace and all the buildings of Jerusalem; and every great house he burned in fire,” so too does God need “nechama” when His house, the Beit HaMikdash is destroyed in a fire.

If a vineyard is cut down, we sympathize with the owner. So too, B’nei Yisrael are God’s vineyard as it says in Yishayahu 5:7: “Now the vineyard of God, Master of Legions, is the House of Israel.”

In this week’s Haftara from Yishayahu 40:1 we read, “Nachamu , Nachamu Ami”, usually translated as “Comfort, comfort, my people”, but according to this midrash it also means “Nachamuni, Nachamuni”, “Comfort Me, My people.” After everything that God went through, He wants us to comfort Him.  

How can we possibly comfort God?

One way is to try to recreate what was lost.

Through immigration, we are actively returning the exiles to our homeland. This summer, 2,282 new olim are making aliya from North America with Nefesh B’Nesh. I am proud to say that I know some of the new immigrants including a few of the 196 olim who are joining the army through “Garin Tzabar.”

Just a few months ago, the Moshav, Mevo Modiim was destroyed by a fire. We must all do what we can to help the residents replace what was lost and rebuild the community from scratch. The community members have already felt an outpouring of love and we need to make sure that this momentum continues until their homes are rebuilt.

When travelling throughout Israel, one may notice the beautiful vineyards and wineries which have sprung up all over the country. Grapes are part of the “shivat haminim”, the seven species of Israel and have been here from Biblical times. If you don’t have the opportunity to visit the wineries, just walk into any store with kosher wine, check out how many varieties are available from all over Israel and support Israel’s wine industry.

Immigration, building and planting in the Modern State of Israel are some of the ways that we can do our part in the daunting task of comforting God.

Now that Tisha B’Av is behind us, stores throughout Israel are selling fancy chocolates, teddy bears and heart shaped gifts that look like they belong to Valentine’s Day. How was Tu B’Av (the 15^th of the month of Av) originally celebrated and how was it revived to become Israel’s national day of love?

In the last Mishna in Masechet Ta’anit (4:8), we read: Rabban Shimon ben Gamiliel said: Israel had no days as festive as Tu B’Av and Yom Kippur, when the maidens of Jerusalem would go out dressed in white garments that were borrowed, so as not to embarrass one who had none…The maidens of Jerusalem would go out and dance in the vineyards. And what would they say? Young man, raise your eyes and see what you chose for yourself. Do not pay attention to beauty, pay attention to family. As it says in Eshet Chayil (Proverbs 31:30) “Grace is false and beauty is vain, a woman who fears God shall be praised, give her the fruits of her hands, and let her be praised in the cities with her deeds.”

The Talmud, Ta’anit 31a elaborates:

A Tanna taught:

Whoever lacked a wife would turn there to find one.

The rabbis taught in a Braita:

What did the beautiful maidens say? Pay attention to beauty.

What did the maidens of distinguished lineage say? Pay attention to family.

What did the unattractive maidens say? Acquire your purchase for the sake of heaven, but only on condition that after marriage you adorn us with gold jewelry and beautiful clothing.

Rav Steinsaltz comments: Once you buy us beautiful jewelry and clothing then we will also be beautiful.

In the Mishna, Masechet Nedarim 9:10, Rabbi Yishmael said: The daughters of Israel are beautiful but poverty makes them ugly. Once a woman who at first seems ugly is adorned, she becomes beautiful.

This reminds me of the before and after makeover pictures that you find in magazines. Once they put on tasteful makeup, a new hairstyle and fancy clothing and jewelry, the woman who at first may have looked plain now looks much more attractive.

We see from here that once you can afford a good makeover, the beauty issue is solved. It is better to focus on what is inside, her midot (good attributes).

When we sing Eshet Chayil each Friday night, we are really singing about a wonder woman (actually, the original Hebrew translation for Wonder Woman was Eshet Chayil). She works really hard both inside and outside of her home to provide for her family, she is dressed like royalty, gives Tzedaka (charity), does Chesed (acts of loving kindness), speaks words of Torah and is appreciated by her family. Although she may have grace and beauty, the end of the day, what is not important is that she is a God fearing person.

Tu B’Av is a serious Jewish holiday which originated way before Valentine’s Day. On Tu B’Av, the Tachnun prayer is not recited and brides and grooms do not fast. In order to ensure that there will be more weddings, when looking for a mate, singles should keep in mind that beauty is only skin deep, what really counts is inside.

In Honor of Sharona Halickman’s 10^th Aliya Anniversary!

This past Tuesday was the tenth Tisha B’Av in a row that I have commemorated in Jerusalem. Tisha B’Av this year was totally different as it was commemorated during Tsuk Eitan, a war in which Jerusalem was targeted along with most of the State of Israel.

On Monday morning, Erev Tisha B’Av, Arab-Israelis rioted on the Temple Mount injuring five policemen. Next, an Arab-Israeli resident of Jabel el Mukabar (an Arab village a “stone’s throw” away from my home) used the construction vehicle that he was working with as a weapon to overturn a bus killing Rabbi Avrohom Vales z”l, a 29 year old pedestrian. Later that day, an Arab motorcyclist fired at an Israeli soldier, Chen Schwartz leaving him in critical condition.

Monday night, after the reading of Eicha on Jerusalem’s Tayelet (the promenade that overlooks the Old City of Jerusalem) fireworks and worse were once again thrown by residents of the Arab villages in the direction of Jewish homes in Armon HaNatziv.

On Tuesday morning, right before the “cease fire” rockets were shot all over Israel from Gaza. One rocket was targeted at Jerusalem. The rocket hit a house of an Arab family in Bethlehem and a giant piece of debris from the rocket fell on Derech Hevron, just a few blocks away from my home.

Later that day, a security guard was stabbed at the entrance of Maaleh Adumim. The Arab who stabbed the security guard escaped into one of the surrounding Arab villages.

On Tisha B’Av, the Mincha prayer for Rebuilding of Jerusalem is different. The following words are added:

Nachem- Console O Lord our God,

The mourners of Zion

The mourners of Jerusalem,

And the city that is in sorrow, laid waste,

Scorned and desolate;

That grieves for the loss of its children,

That is laid waste of its dwellings,

Robbed of its glory, desolate without inhabitants.

She sits with her head covered like a barren childless woman.

Legions have devoured her;

Idolaters have taken possession of her;

They have put your people Israel to the sword

and deliberately killed the devoted followers of the Most High.

Therefore Zion weeps bitterly,

And Jerusalem raises her voice.

My heart, my heart grieves for those they killed;

I am in anguish for those they killed.

For you, O Lord, consumed it with fire

And with fire you will rebuild it in the future,

As I said (Zecharia 2:9) “And I myself will be a wall of fire around it says the Lord and I will be its glory within.”

Blessed are you HaShem who consoles Zion and rebuilds Jerusalem.

Since 1967, there have been opinions that the Nachem prayer is no longer relevant since the city of Jerusalem is now in Jewish hands.

However, I have to disagree with them. We have the Kotel yet Jews are not allowed to pray on the Temple Mount. Just two weeks ago, instead of respecting our holiest place, Arab-Israelis burned the police station on the Temple Mount. Jews are not free to live or even walk in every neighborhood of Jerusalem yet the Arab Israelis are free to take driving lessons on my street and shop in my neighborhood. Much of the Eastern side of Jerusalem is poorly maintained including the Temple Mount itself where garbage is dumped.

Some believe that we should no longer say that “Jerusalem is desolate without inhabitants” when in fact there are almost 500,000 Jews living in Jerusalem.

There may be a lot of Jews living in Jerusalem but there could be a lot more. Since 1967, the Jews who have retuned to the Old City of Jerusalem have rebuilt the Jewish Quarter and the Kotel Plaza. There are some Jewish families in the Muslim Quarter who unfortunately need 24 hour security guards (set up by former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon). There are also small Jewish communities on Har Hazeitim (Mt. of Olives), also with full time security. However, for the most part Jews are excluded from the much less expensive Arab neighborhoods and villages. The price of housing in the Jewish neighborhoods of Jerusalem is very high which unfortunately keeps young families from being able to remain in Jerusalem. Many are afraid that the Arab population in Jerusalem may eventually exceed the Jewish population.

The words “That grieves for the loss of its children” unfortunately ring true today. Our hearts grieve for all of the soldiers who have been killed during this war. Jerusalem lost eleven amazing soldiers. I, along with thousands of others attended the heartbreaking funeral of Barkai Shor z”l. Barkai was a graduate of the same school which my son attends. I didn’t know Barkai personally but from the eulogies it is clear that he was a young man full of loving kindness whose life was cut short.

Just as the Beit HaMikdash was destroyed by fire, we have unfortunately seen many fires in Jerusalem over the past few months: forest fires, the burning down the light rail system and the burning of cars with Israeli flags on them.

Today we still have a lot to cry for in Jerusalem yet the prayer is called “Nachem”, “console” just us the upcoming Shabbat is called “Shabbat Nachamu”, “the Shabbat of consolation.”

If so many horrible prophecies have been fulfilled then it is time for the second part of the prophecies to come to fruition as well.

As it says in Zecharia 8:4-5: “Thus said Hashem, Master of Legions: Old men and old women will  once again sit in the streets of Jerusalem each with his staff in hand because of advanced age; and the streets of the city will be filled with boys and girls playing in the streets.”

In Zecharia 8:7-8 we read “Thus said HaShem, Master of Legions: Behold I am saving My people from the land of the east and from the land where the sun sets; and I will bring them and they will dwell within Jerusalem. They will be a people unto Me and I will be a God unto them in truth and in righteousness.”

Despite everything that has been going on, these prophecies are coming true. Jews from all over the world continue to make aliya. This summer alone there are a few thousand people making aliya from all over the world including over 100 lone soldiers who will be arriving this week ready to join the IDF.

We have to do our part to continue fulfilling the prophecy of bringing Jewish families to the Land of Israel and filling the streets with people of all ages and backgrounds.

On this Shabbat Nachamu, the eve of my tenth Aliya anniversary, may God answer the prayer that we recited at Mincha on Tisha B’Av and console Zion and rebuild Jerusalem.

In this week’s Haftara we read the words from Yishayahu 40:1-2: “Comfort, comfort My people says your God. Speak to the heart of Jerusalem and proclaim to her that her time (of exile) has been fulfilled...”

After a difficult day of mourning for both the First and Second Beit HaMikdash (Temple) we are told that the exile will come to an end. At that point the Third Beit HaMikdash will be built.

Will there be kornabot at the time of the Third Beit HaMikdash?

The Rambam (Maimonides) in The Mishneh Torah, Hilchot Beit HaBechira opens with the words: “It is a positive commandment to make a house for God where we can bring sacrifices.”

Each day, in the Shmoneh Esrei we ask God to restore the sacrifices to the Beit HaMikdash when we recite the words in the 17^th Bracha : Retzei- “Be favorable, God towards Your people Israel and their prayer and restore the service to the Holy of Holies of your Temple. The fire-offerings of Israel and their prayer accept with love and favor and may the service of Your people Israel always be favorable to You.”

Rabbi Munk explains that since we don’t have the Beit HaMikdash today, studying about the Korbanot and praying about the Korbanot takes the place of bringing the offerings. However, these are only temporary substitutes and once the Beit HaMikdash is built we will go back to the act itself, we will once again bring the Korbanot.

Ramban (Nachmanides) explains that animal sacrifice is the most meaningful form of Divine service since the transgressor designates an animal, brings it to the Temple, leans on his head and declares: “My intellect failed to control my impulse and I behaved like a senseless beast, not a Godly human being. When I sinned, I resembled the animal upon which I am leaning. I will therefore slaughter this animal to symbolize that in the future I will overcome and slay the animal impulse that attacks me.”

In Moreh Nevuchim, Rambam rationalizes why there are Korbanot in order to help those estranged from Judaism understand their purpose. He explains that the different nations brought sacrifices to different Gods wherever and whenever they wanted while the Jewish people were only commanded to bring them at certain times and in certain places with the supervision of the Kohanim and Leviim. Once the Beit HaMikdash stood, they were only allowed to bring the sacrifices there and the “bamot”, private places where people brought sacrifices were no longer allowed to be used. Rambam explains that the sacrifices are important. However, prayer is more important. He also explains that God does not want sacrifices from people who do not believe in one God and who bring sacrifices to other Gods (a major problem during the time of the prophets). He describes the fact that when B’nai Yisrael left Egypt, they were given the first commandments at Marah- Shabbat and civil laws.  The laws of the Korbanot were only given later and therefore they were of secondary importance.

We see from here that the sacrifices will be restored when we rebuild the Third Beit HaMikdash but prayer will still be more important.

May the Third Beit HaMikdash be rebuilt speedily in our days.

In the Haftorah for Tisha B’Av we read from the book of Yirmiyahu (Jeremiah) Chapters 8-9, about why we lost the Land of Israel when the First Beit HaMikdash was destroyed. The reason was that God gave us laws that the Jewish people transgressed.

Yirmiyahu, Chapter 9 opens with a description of the Jewish people as adulterers and a company of traitors: “They have directed their tongue treacherously as their bows and they have grown strong in the Land not for the sake of truth; for they proceed from evil to evil and they do not know Me says the Lord. Let each one beware of his neighbor, and do not trust any brother; for each brother forges plans and every neighbor spreads slander. Indeed they deceive one another and do not speak the truth; they have taught their tongue to speak lies, they commit iniquity until they are weary. Your habitation is in the midst of deceit; because of deceit they refuse to know Me says the Lord.” (Yirmiyahu 9:2-5)

In Chapter 9 sentence 23 we read: “But let him that boasts exult in this, that he understands and knows me, for I am God who practices Chesed, Mishpat U’Tzdaka, kindness, justice and righteousness on the earth for in these things I delight, says the Lord”.

According to Radak, knowing God consists of going in God’s ways, to practice kindness, justice and righteousness on the earth (with the inhabitants of the earth). One who follows God’s ways is said to know God.

Unfortunately there have been too many Jewish people in the media over the last week who did not practice kindness, justice or righteousness and although the may claim to be observant Jews, they were not following God’s ways and were not at the level as described above of following God and knowing God. Their involvement in money laundering and other immoral behavior has brought about a tremendous Chilul HaShem, desecration of God’s name. Unfortunately, it is instances like this that make us understand why the Beit HaMikdash has not yet been rebuilt.

We must do our best both in Israel and throughout the world to follow the laws both Bein Adam L’Makom (between a person and God) and Bein Adam L’Chavero (between a person and their fellow person) in order to bring about the final redemption- the return of the Jewish people to the Land of Israel and the rebuilding of the Beit HaMikdash as well as serve as an Or LaGoyim, a light to the nations.

Shabbat Nachamu, the Shabbat of comfort is named after the Haftarah reading from the book of Yishayau which begins with the words "Nachamu nachamu ami", "Comfort comfort my people".

This Shabbat is the first of the seven weeks of consolation after the destruction of the Beit Ha Mikdash.

The root of the Hebrew word for comfort "Nachem", nun-chet-mem can refer to comforting the nation after the destruction of the Beit HaMikdash as well as to comforting an individual after the death of a loved one.

When we visit a person who is sitting shiva, we say that we are going to be "Menachem Avel", comforting the bereaved. Starting today, the month is no longer called "Av", rather it is called "Menachem Av", the comforted month of Av.

When we leave a house of mourning, we console the mourner by saying "HaMakom yinachem etchem betoch shaar avlei Tzion V'Yerushalayim", "May God console you among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem". We actually link the mourner with the larger Jewish community as well as the destruction of the Beit HaMikdash.

Too often, we are faced with a communal state of mourning. These past few days and weeks, each time an Israeli soldier or civilian was kidnapped or killed the entire community of Israel was in a state of mourning. The personal loss became a communal loss.

There are many similarities in the way that we mourn for a loved one and in the way that we mourn for the Beit HaMikdash.

On Tisha B'Av we are restricted in all of the same ways that a person sitting shiva is restricted including sitting on a low stool, not wearing leather shoes and not greeting people.

The seven weeks of comfort following Tisha B'Av are similar to the shiva period, the seven days of comfort.

This weeks Haftarah begins with the words "Comfort, comfort my people says God. Speak to the heart of Jerusalem".

Eben Ezra comments: Speak nicely, remove sorrow and worry and proclaim to her that her time has been fulfilled.

There is a limit to how much suffering we must endure.

Let's hope and pray that the prophecies of comfort from the upcoming haftarot will be fulfilled speedily in our day and that peace will return to the Land of Israel.