Today is the Jewish fast day of Tisha B’Av (the 9th day of the month of Av), on which a whole host of calamities befell the Jewish people (and the world), including:
- The sin of the spies causing G-d to decree that the Children of Israel who left Egypt would not be permitted to enter the land of Israel
- The destruction of the first Temple
- The destruction of the second Temple
- The fall of Betar, the last fortress to hold out against the Romans during the Bar Kochba revolt in the year 135
- The plowing of the Temple area one year later
- The expulsion of the Jews from Spain in 1492
- The start of World War I
As you can see, most of these tragedies relate to our exile from the land of Israel.
Now I would like you to think about that for a moment. Here we are still mourning the destruction of the Temples and exile thousands of years after these events occurred.*
What does that say about the Jews’ love for the land of Israel?
Assuming you know the answer, why is it that the Jewish aspiration to return to Israel and rebuild their homeland is not considered legitimate by so many, or at least superseded by the spurious claims of those referred to as palestinians?
And speaking of these palestinians, why do people accept their claim to the holy city of Jerusalem, a place they hold in such high regard that it merits having their backsides pointed at it while they bow towards Mecca?
(hat tip for photo: Elder of Ziyon)
The good news is that this has all been prophesied about, and while there are definitely some hairy plot moments, there is a happy ending for the Jewish people.
“Rejoice greatly with her, all who mourn her.”
– Isaiah (Chapter 66, verse 10)
As for those of you working hard to undermine the Jewish State of Israel, I’d hate to be in your shoes.
* I should also point out that the Jewish people yearn for the rebuilding of the Temple and the return of Zion in our daily prayers, and not just on this saddest of days.
