The destruction of both the First and Second Temples.
The beginning in 1492 of the Spanish Inquisition.
Allies Britain and France declare war on Germany in 1914. The treaty signed to end World War I would go a long way towards causing the beginning of the Holocaust.
Deportations from Warsaw Ghetto to Treblinka death camp begins.
In 1994 the AMIA or Jewish Community Center in Buenos Aires, Argentina is bombed by Hezbollah-backed terrorists, killing 86 people.
All of the above occurred on the 9th Day of Av or Tisha B’Av.
We are hardly suggesting to prepare for any sort of doom. Instead, we take these Nine Days leading into Tisha B’Av seriously and with caution both in our family lives and as a people.
We also find it meaningful that of all times of the year to be debating the nuclear issue in Iran, a nation that with nuclear capability could absolutely be an existential threat to Israel. This nuclear deal with Iran wasn’t signed last year or earlier this year. It happened on July 14 during the Three Weeks leading into Tisha B’Av. The Congress will review the deal for 60 days. How ironic that the Congressional review period ends on Rosh Hashanah, the ultimate time of our judgement and repentance.
Few of us might be into symbolism, the significance of historic dates or any other outside variables that exist. Still we implore the community to be cautious and calm as the Congress reviews this difficult and deplorable deal.
Our system of government is carrying out its duty to review the deal. Our duty is to inform our Senators and Congressmen that this deal cannot and should not happen.
But the bottom line is that as we approach and observe Tisha B’Av, our prayers should have a renewed urgency. These are the days that the Temples fell. We have an enemy leader who calls for the death of Israel and America on the very day his nation signed a deal with the P5+1 nations.
The timing couldn’t have been more significant.
