The Lessons of Tisha B'Av

Thank you for the shiur.

It was comforting to think that our (my husband, david and I) being the only 2 Jews we know of who are fasting in this city has a wider divine purpose.

Dear Rabbi New:

Today is my English birthday, August 2, and I have just listened to your commentary on the meaning of Tisha b'Av. Never before have I thought of Tisha b'Av as a positve day. Especially since my Hebrew birthday is sheva b'Av, therefore, rendering celebration and partying out of order. Not that I am so young to miss the goodies. I'm middle aged and beyond the mentality of looking forward to getting older.

Nevertheless, your explanation of Tisha b'Av as a day on which we can understand the full context of Hashem's plan for the world, the coming of Moshiach, the rebuilding of the Temple for a third and final time, and the end of our exile, cannot but fill me with a sense of "happy birthday". The logical extention of the end of our exile and the fulfillment of our purpose as bringing light to the world is a most awesome birthday gift, for which I thank G-d. The circuitous and tragic route we have traveled in exile is not without meaning.

I deeply enjoyed the lecture by Rabbi Ruvi New from Boca Raton.
It was not only enlightening, but the wisdom and beauty flowed with his thought. I came to learn more about the dynamics of Creation, the blend between G-d's mercy and judgement, the poingnant meaning of the destruction of the Temple and the four exhiles, as a Plan of God for mankind. I really trust and truly believe that Yerushalaim will be the heavenly city of G-d on earth and the culmination of G-d's glory and overcoming of all suffering and the fulfillment of Redemption. All the world should hear those words which come to scrutinize the paths and detours of mankind, which provide us with light and reflection on our own journey, as persons and societies, as individuals and groups... T'shuvah will only be possible, on a daily level, if a person is aware that his/her destiny is part of a higher plan, engraved in G-d's design. Shalom! God bless you!