Tammuz 17 (Fast)

The fast of Tammuz 17 commemorates five tragic events that occurred on that date. The first dating back to the times of Moses...

A historical perspective on the events that led up to the destruction of the Holy Temple

Many tragedies had befallen our people on the 17th of Tammuz and marks the beginning of the three week mourning period for the destruction of the Holy Temple and the subsequent exile.

If you’ve ever had this experience, you have unwittingly stumbled upon one of the core spiritual secrets of Creation: a three-fold pattern of vision-breakdown-transformation, or light-darkness-light.

The “vessel” of one’s life is too small right now to receive and perceive this new increment of good (and G-d). It must stretch beyond itself to accommodate the new light, which is forcing its way in. The process is painful. The dilation hurts. One sees ...

The Romans lay siege to Jerusalem; the leading Sage is smuggled out to confront Vespasian, the Roman General. Learn the spiritual significance of these events according to the mystical teachings of the Maharal of Prague.

The Jewish calendar contains several fast days, most of them commemorating various landmark events that revolve around the destruction of the Holy Temples. Learn how these days are observed.