07/23/2026
I learned a lot on Tisha B’av this year.
On this national day of mourning, fasting, and remembrance, I learned how Israelis – of all persuasions – adopt the spirit of the day into their lives. Jewish tradition teaches that the Holy Temple in Jerusalem was destroyed due to sinat chinam, baseless hatred. Essentially, the theory is that the Jewish people have suffered throughout the ages because they just couldn’t get along.
Sound familiar? Clearly this is a problem that has remained with us throughout the centuries.
Whether fasting or not, it seems every Israeli tries to internalize that central message of Tisha B’av.
Yesterday, on Hadar Marks’ morning show on גלגלצ, Hadar closed her show with a plea for all Israelis to remember the message of Tisha B’av during this time of disunity and division. “Tisha B’av reminds us that the true destruction is when our hearts become distant from one another.…Even when we don’t agree on everything, we’re still one nation.”
Then, last night, Israel’s קשת 12 presented a Tisha B’av TV special hosted by singer, “Fauda” actor, and IDF hero עידן עמדי Idan Amedi. He brought together Israelis of all backgrounds and persuasions, and encouraged them to just…TALK. Religious and secular, gay and straight, young and old, black and white, Ashkenazim and Sephardim, even Arabs and Druze. While I didn’t understand every word, it was clear that the result was a raw, honest and respectful exchange of ideas between some of Israel’s most divided populations. If only the rest of the country could discuss hot topics so respectfully.
I also learned yesterday (courtesy of Kan Radio’s David Jablinowitz) that most Israeli radio and television stations do not broadcast ads on Tisha B’av. What a beautiful way to respect the day and those who observe it.
While in synagogue last night and this morning, reading about the unspeakable tragedies that have befallen our people throughout the ages, I couldn’t help but think about how painfully similar much of it sounded to the atrocities of October 7. Burning…murdering…kidnapping…s*x crimes…suffering…this is not something that happened in ancient times, it’s happening in OUR times!
There are those who say Tisha B’av is an outdated ritual. After all, how can we continue to mourn over a now-rebuilt Jerusalem that is flourishing, thriving, and more vibrant than ever?
I was once inclined to agree.
But I’ve learned that until we can live in peace and security – amongst ourselves, and with our neighbors – Tisha B’av might just be one of the most relevant days on the Jewish calendar.
May we merit to see peace in our days.
