The Three Weeks: What and Why
For eight hundred and thirty years there stood an edifice upon a Jerusalem hilltop which served as the point of contact between heaven and earth. So central was this edifice to the relationship between man and G‑d that nearly two-thirds of the mitzvot are contingent upon its existence. Its destruction is regarded as the greatest tragedy of our history, and its rebuilding will mark the ultimate redemption—the restoration of harmony within G‑d's creation and between G‑d and His creation.
A full three weeks of our year, when both the first and second Temples were destroyed, are designated as "between the strictures"1
In the future, our sages tell us, it will be a time of celebration and joy.
Until then, the Three Weeks is a time of mourning, with particular restrictions on celebrations and entertainment. It begins with a fast on the 17th of the Hebrew month of Tammuz, the day when the walls of Jerusalem were breached by the Romans in 69 CE.
It reaches its climax and concludes with the fast of the 9th of Av, the date when both Holy Temples were set aflame. Although this is the most tragic day of the Jewish calendar, being also the date when many other tragedies befell our people, it is a day of hope and prayer for the coming of Moshiach and the messianic era.
It is the time when we are most empowered to heal the causes of destruction and exile.
Conduct During the 3 Weeks
During this period, we lessen the extent of our rejoicing. We don't:
- Conduct weddings. (Engagement parties – without music – are allowed until Rosh Chodesh Av.)
- Play musical instruments or listen to music.
- Recite the Shehecheyanu blessing. Thus, we do not wear new clothing or eat fruit which we have not yet eaten this season so that we will not be required to recite Shehecheyanu.
- Take a haircut or shave. Many Sephardic communities permit haircuts and shaving until the week of Tisha b'Av.
(Speak to your rabbi if there are extenuating circumstances that prevent you from observing any of the above customs.)
Shabbat
On the first Shabbat of the Three Weeks (or on the 17th of Tammuz itself, if it falls on Shabbat) we almost always read the Torah portion of Pinchas. The end of the reading discusses the three Jewish festivals. It has been said amongst chassidim that this alludes to the idea that the three Shabbats of the Three Weeks are to be celebrated on par with the three festivals...
Why is all mourning suspended on Shabbat?
Though these days and weeks heralded an exile rife with persecution and spiritual estrangement, it is our belief that ultimately this is for the good. Very soon, with the coming of Moshiach, we will understand that all the suffering was necessary in order to reach the ultimate good. At that time, the prophets foretell, these sorrowful days will be transformed into days of joy (see Breaking Walls for more on this topic).
Every Shabbat constitutes a foretaste of the Messianic Era. As such, on Shabbat we only focus on the positive element of this period.
Determination to Rebuild
Aside from the aforementioned "technical" rules and restrictions, during this period we spend extra time contemplating the less-than-perfect state the world is in now and what we can do to improve it by increasing in deeds of goodness and kindness.
The Rebbe urged that the Three Weeks should be a time of increased Torah study and giving of charity– in keeping with the verse,4 "Zion shall be redeemed by law, and her returnees by charity." Particularly, the Rebbe requested time and again the study of those portions of Torah that deal with the building of the Holy Temple.
"Master of the world," Ezekiel replied, "why are You telling me to go and tell Israel the form of the House; they are now in exile in the land of our enemies—is there anything they can do about it? Let them be until they return from the exile. Then, I will go and inform them."
G‑d answered: "Should the construction of My House be ignored because My children are in exile? The study of the design of the Holy Temple as detailed in the Torah can be equated to its actual construction. Go tell them to study the form of the Holy Temple. As a reward for their study and their occupation with it, I will consider it as if they actually built the Holy Temple."
It is our generation in particular, that stands on the threshold of Redemption, that must study these laws with the awareness that these laws will be quite practical in the imminent future!
Visit our Holy Temple section to start your virtual tour of the Temple.
From Destruction to Renewal
But there is more to the Three Weeks than fasting and lamentation. The prophet describes the fasts as "days of goodwill before G‑d"-days of opportunity to exploit the failings of the past as the impetus for a renewed and even deeper bond with G‑d. A sense of purification accompanies the fasting, a promise of redemption pervades the mourning, and a current of joy underlies the sadness. The Ninth of Av, say our sages, is not only the day of the Temple's destruction—it is also the birthday of Moshiach.
May we soon merit the fulfillment of the prophecy: "I will turn their mourning into joy and will comfort them and make them rejoice from their sorrow" (Jeremiah 31:12).
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