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From: Ephraim & Rimona Frank
To: heb_roots_chr@hebroots.org
Subject: Tish'a B'Av

Shalom Fellow Israelite,

The eve of Yom Rishon (Sunday), which is "motza'ey" Shabbat (the "going out of Shabbat", July 29th), will mark the beginning of the fast of TISH'A BeAV (the ninth day of the month of Av). Most of you are probably acquainted with this day of fasting, prayer, and mourning. For those not familiar with this solemn day, briefly: on that date both temples (the first in 586 BC and the second in 70 CE) were destroyed. What are the odds that within 656 years Bet Yehudah would lose both temples and be banished from the land on the same date? Devout Jews take this coincidence, if it may be so termed, very seriously.

The temples were always, even after their destruction, the most sacred and endearing sights for the people of Yehuda. The loss of these structures was absolutely devastating and is mourned over to this very day. One could almost compare it to the death of a dearly beloved child. So many times when tragedy strikes, in the immediate shock of hearing the news a cry goes forth with great pain: WHY?! WHY?!! WHY?!!! For thousands of years the Jewish people have lamented over the destruction of these holy places. This is why the book of Lamentation is read on the Shabbat before the day of Tish'a BeAv.

The great sages of the past have offered an explanation to this one-word-question by connecting the devastation of the two temples with the words of YHWH to Moshe and A'haron as recorded in the Torah: "How long shall I bear with this evil congregation who complain against Me? I have heard the complaints, which the children of Israel make against Me. Say to them, `As I live,' says YHWH, `just as you have spoken in My hearing, so I will do to you: The carcasses of you who have complained against Me shall fall in this wilderness...you shall by no means enter the land...`But as for you, your carcasses shall abound in this wilderness...you shall bear the brunt of your infidelity, until your carcasses are consumed in the wilderness.` According to the number of the days in which you spied out the land, forty days, for each day you shall bear your guilt one year, namely forty years, and you shall know My rejection....I will surely do so to all this evil congregation who are gathered together against Me" (Num. 14:26-37). It is believed that these words of YHWH were spoken to Moshe and Aharon on the 9th day of the month of Av.

YHWH told the people to go in and possess the land that He had promised them. Moshe sent twelve 'tourists' (in the original Hebrew "spying out" in that context is "tour", hence "tourists") to check out the land and its inhabitants. Ten came back with an evil report, while two displayed faith, courage and vision. But public opinion leaned toward the voice of the majority, thus silencing the voice of YHWH's command. They not only chose to disobey, but began to complain and became critical of Moshe and Aharon. This rebellion, disbelief and disobedience brought on a response from Elohim. The ten skeptics were chastened for their role in this affair but ultimately the whole community, (congregation or nation) suffered the consequences of this one act of disobedience and that included the two who were faithful (although they did, ultimately, enter the land with the new generation).

Recently I wrote about the harlotry of Ephraim and Yehuda. Theirs was disobedience to the utmost, and as we have seen, brought on YHWH's judgments. YHWH does not just discipline His people by punishing them without a cause. Rebellion or disobedience will not go unchecked unless there is repentance. The desecration and demolishing of the temples on Mount Moriah was only symbolic of that which was happening to the people themselves. YHWH's intentions were to have a nation and a kingdom of priest that would make up a living temple for His dwelling place. The prophet Yirmiyahu laments over these (living temple) stones in the book of Lamentations "How the gold has become dim! How changed the fine gold! The stones of the sanctuary are scattered at the head of every street. The precious sons of Zion, valuable as fine gold, how they are regarded as clay pots, the work of the hands of the potter! (Lam. 4:1-2)..."How YHWH has covered the daughter of Zion with a cloud in His anger! He cast down from heaven to the earth the beauty of Israel, and did not remember His footstool in the day of His anger. YHWH has swallowed up and has not pitied all the dwelling places of Jacob. He has thrown down in His wrath the strongholds of the daughter of Judah; He has brought them down to the ground; He has profaned the kingdom and its princes. He has cut off in fierce anger every horn of Israel; He has drawn back His right hand from before the enemy. He has blazed against Jacob like a flaming fire devouring all around" (Lam. 2:1-3).

As harsh as these words are, they must be acknowledged as part of our ancestors' history. Yet more than being a time of prayer and fasting, because we do not have a temple, I believe that Tish'a BeAv signifies that YHWH does not have temple, a living temple made up of the living stones of the whole house of Israel.

Before the building of the first temple, David was given the task of preparing the gold, silver, bronze, iron and wood for his son Solomon, who was chosen by YHWH to build it. Let us consider these words of King David: "My son Solomon, whom alone God has chosen, is young and inexperienced; and the work is great, because the temple is not for man but for YHWH Elohim" (2 Chron. 29:1). The work that YHWH is doing in our lives individually and corporately, as He restores His house, the house of Ya'acov, and brings the precious stones to the land to be His temple, His dwelling place, requires from us devotion to Him unparalleled in the history of His people. King David's words to his son Solomon may adequately express this requirement: "As for you, my son Solomon, know the Elohim of your father, and serve Him with a loyal heart and with a willing mind; for YHWH searches all hearts and understands all the intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will cast you off forever. Consider now, for YHWH has chosen you to build a house for His sanctuary; be strong, and become it" (1 Chron. 28:9-10 italics added).

The Messiah of Israel has been given the task of restoring the temple and He will not fail, as He is qualified and has already begun this incredible task. While keeping this in mind, and after reading Lamentations this Shabbat, let us conclude with these expressions of worship from the mouth of King David as he stood before the entire assembly of Israel on the day he proclaimed that this temple (today it is your body) is not for man but for YHWH Elohim.

"Yours, O YHWH, is the greatness, the power and the glory, the victory and the majesty; for all that is in heaven and in earth is Yours. Yours is the kingdom, O YHWH, and You are exalted as head over all. Both riches and honor come from You, and You reign over all. In Your hand is power and might; in Your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all. Now therefore, our Elohim, we thank You and praise Your glorious name. But who am I, and who are your people, that we should be able to offer so willingly as this? For all things come from You, and of  Your own we have given You. For we are aliens and pilgrims before You, as were all our fathers; our days on earth are as a shadow, and without hope. "O YWHW our Elohim, all this abundance that we have prepared to build You a house for Your holy name is from Your hand, and is all Your own. I know also, my Elohim, that You test the heart and have pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of my heart I have willingly offered (myself) all that I am; and now with joy I have seen Your people, who are present here to offer willingly to You. "O YHWH Elohey Avraham, Yitzchak, and Israel, our fathers, keep this forever in the intent of the thoughts of the heart of Your people, and fix our heart toward You. Give us a loyal heart to keep Your commandments and Your testimonies and Your statutes, to do all these things, and to build the temple " (1 Chron. 10-19).

Shabbat Shalom

Shevet Achim

"But who is able to build Him a temple, since heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain Him? Who am I then, that I should build Him a temple" (2 Chron.2:6). Perhaps we can be that living sacrifice upon the altar of devotion.

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