A delegation from Babylonia put forth a query to the prophet Zechariah, asking whether the fast of the Ninth of Av was still in effect, now that the Second Temple had been built. In response, Zechariah transmitted G‑d’s message that it was not fasting that was most important, but to uphold justice, truth, kindness and compassion.
Zechariah also foretold what will occur to the fast days in the Messianic era: “So says the L‑rd of Hosts: The fast of the fourth month [the seventeenth of Tammuz], the fast of the fifth month [the ninth of Av], the fast of the seventh month [the third of Tishrei], and the fast of the tenth month [the tenth of Teves] will be to the House of Judah for rejoicing, happiness, and festivals.” (Zechariah 7–8)
After a three-month-long unsuccessful battle and siege waged by Suleiman Pasha, governor of Damascus, against the sheikh of Tiberias, the governor finally left the city. To mark their salvation and the numerous miracles that had occurred throughout the siege, the Jews of Tiberias, led by the venerable R. Chaim Abulafia (1660–1744), established this date as a yearly festival of rejoicing and praise to G‑d. (Yalkut Me’am Lo’ez, Esther 9:28)
In last night’s evening prayers, preding Dec. 5, 2024, we began inserting the request for rain, “v’tein tal umatar,” in the amidah. We continue adding this request into the weekday prayers until the holiday of Passover.
Abraham stood over them under the tree and they ate.—Genesis 18:8
When Abraham stood over them, only then were the angels capable of eating and elevating their food.—Rabbi Dov Ber of Lubavitch
What more spiritual activity could there be than eating, when it is done not only with the mouth, but with the mind and the soul?
When a human being eats and his mind and soul are engaged, he separates the good from the bad, the divine from the mundane. The food rises to a higher realm. And then the divine sparks he has discovered within the food carry him yet higher.
The angels are incapable of such a feat—unless a human soul provides them the power. For, in purposeful eating, the human soul reaches beyond the entire order of being.
As the Creator makes spiritual energy become physical food, so the human being transforms the physical act of eating into a spiritual process, and the physical nourishment of the food into divine energy.
Everything in life has purpose. Deep purpose.