Let's Talk Tammuz

26 Sivan 5784 

Even though it is still four days until Rosh Chodesh Tammuz, I wish to go on the record with a prediction (not a prophecy!!).  Based on my own calculations and assessment of certain known facts, I think that this Tammuz is going to see the major turning point of the geulah process.  I think that this is the year the fast days become holidays and I think July 17th, 11 Tammuz, is a date to watch.

Here are some interesting historical events tied to that date...

Purim Tammuz (Algiers) (1775)

In 1775, the Spanish General O'Reilly attacked the city of Algiers and was successfully repulsed by the Dey of Algiers, Mohammed ibn Uman. Tradition has it that flames came out of the graves of the great Rabbis Isaac ben Sheshet and Solomon ben Simon Duran and contributed to the Spanish defeat. To celebrate the miracle of having escaped Spanish rule, the Jews of Algiers instituted a "Purim" on the 11th of Tammuz.

Passing of R. Elchanan Wasserman (1941)

R. Elchanan Bunem Wasserman headed a famous yeshivah in Baranovitch (in what is now Belarus), attracting many bright students. At the outbreak of World War II, he fled with the yeshivah to Lithuania. In 1941, when the Nazis broke their pact with the Soviets and overran Lithuania, he was one of the thousands of Jews who met their deaths, sanctifying G‑d’s name.

The Earthquake of July 1927 

A strong earthquake struck Palestine on July 11, 1927 causing the loss of many lives and severe damage. Lasting seven seconds, it occurred shortly after 3 p.m. during a hamsin when hot winds blew in from the east. The panic-stricken population fled their collapsing homes. Rumors of a catastrophe with many hundreds of fatalities spread rapidly, replete with awesome reports of the broiling of the Dead Sea, towers of water shooting up all about, and the collapse of multi-story buildings.

By the end of the day, the recorded toll was 192 dead and 923 injured. Most of the damage occurred in the mountain areas and most of the casualties were Arabs. Approximately a third of the buildings of Nablus were destroyed. Whole streets collapsed in Lydda and Ramleh. Additional lighter tremors recurred a week later but caused no damage.

The Jewish Yishuv made notable efforts at aid and reconstruction for the Arabs. Tel Aviv adopted Nablus and sent rescue teams and supplies. The American Jewish philanthropist Nathan Straus forwarded a special financial grant. The Arabs were so amazed by the aid of the Jewish Yishuv that an Arab journalist announced that out of gratitude, he would refrain, on that day, from bad words against the Jews. On the other hand, sharp criticism was heard of the little help received from the Arab Countries. (Mordechai Naor: The Twentieth Century in Eretz Israel: A Pictorial History, p. 145)

The Kaf Hachaim notes (576:26) that although many Arabs died, miraculously not a single Jew was injured.

Looking forward with much hope!!