8 Tevet 5785
Excerpted from The Book of Our Heritage by Rabbi Eliyahu Kitov . . .
Three fast days are observed during the month of Teves, commemorating three calamities which befell Israel - on the eighth, the ninth, and tenth days of the month. The fast days of the eighth and ninth are referred to as "fast days for the righteous." On these days, only individuals fast, whereas the fast of the tenth of Teves is a public fast for the entire community.
The fast of the eighth of Teves commemorates the day when the Torah was translated into Greek at the order of King Talmai [Ptolemy Philadelphus]. The Sages (Soferim 1:7) note that the day on which the Torah was translated into Greek was as calamitous for Israel as the day on which they made the golden calf, for it is impossible to translate the Torah adequately.
The fast of the ninth of Teves commemorates the deaths of Ezra the Scribe and Nechemyah, who faithfully led Israel during the return from Babylonian captivity. When they died, the people of Israel were devastated, for their loss was irreplaceable.
The fast of the tenth of Teves is a communal fast, for on that day, Nevuchadnetzar, king of Babylonia, began the siege of Jerusalem during the time of the first Beis ha-Mikdash. The siege continued for three years until the walls were finally breached on the ninth of Tammuz.
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As we learned from Rabbi Richter, Tevet, being a month when Eisav's power is ascendant (like Av), is a time to watch also for his downfall. The United States claiming to be the leader of the "Free World" - i.e. Edom, will be the best indicator of Eisav's circumstances. Clearly, all is not well there.
"Most expensive property in the country"
ReplyDeleteReports of fire hydrants empty of water (reservoirs were not refilled) and insurance cancelled four months ago.
LA is the city with the third largest Jewish population in the world, including Israel.
ReplyDeleteMany people have lost their homes, two dead, but even those who are physically untouched are shaken, thinking it could have been them.
Im tilchu iti bekeri
Every day in every way Hashem is closing down the exile.
Every Jew has to make a decision how to respond to this.
Whatever one's situation, we should all internalise that Hashem can take a person's riches and certitudes in an instant, and conversely in an instant provide riches and all the yeshuot.
Hitoreri