Think & Reflect:
The 17th of Tammuz was the start of what we call “The Three Weeks”. The Hebrew for this translates as “between the straits/days of distress” and it is the saddest period in the Jewish calendar. The three-week period of mourning ends on the 9th of Av which is the fast of Tisha B’A. It has been said that the only Jews who know about this time period are the Orthodox Jews and those who went to Jewish summer camp. The 17th of Tammuz remembers at least 4 historical calamities and Tisha B’Av, the saddest day in the Jewish year, commemorates the First Temple destroyed by the Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar in 586 BCE and the Second Temple destroyed by the Romans in 70 CE in addition to other historical occurrences.
Customs during this period include no haircuts or shaving; no listening to live music; no weddings and other celebrations; and no buying or wearing of new clothes. The intensity grows to the Nine Days, before Tisha B’av with no meat and wine eaten during this time. Also as this is sometimes thought of as a time of misfortune many try to be extra careful to avoid dangerous situations.
Questions to Ponder
Two questions: first, why is this known by kids who go to Jewish camps? Easy answer is that it is the only Jewish day that occurs during the summer besides Shabbat. The second question is about why we should all remember these days. Although it is a sad set of days, Judaism is all about memory and the importance of not forgetting our past. Rabbi Lord Sacks, of blessed memory, reminds us that history is someone else’s story and memory is our story. He tells us that history answers the question, “What happened?” Memory answers the question, “Who, then, am I?” This is about identity and the connection between the generations. Jewish camp is about building identity, and for all of us, knowing who we are is life.
Do & Share
Did you go to a Jewish camp? What are your memories of Tisha B’Av? What did you do at your camp? Share this with others. Beyond the memories you may have, talk about the importance of memory and identity.
A Challenge for a Week (or longer)
First, learn about the Three Weeks and the Nine Days and Tisha B’Av. How did Judaism survive the destruction of the Temple? Our way of life revolved around bringing sacrifices to the Temple, and with the loss, we dispersed and truly became a wandering people living in the diaspora. The story of Rabbi Yochanan ben Zakkai tells that he had his students carry him out in a coffin to the Roman leader pretending that he was dead. He stood us and requested one thing – “Give me Yavneh!” The Rabbi and his followers created a school and a “portable Judaism.” We continue to survive by carrying Torah wherever we go. Our challenge is to continue learning!
Laura Seymour | Camp Director Emeritus | Jewish Experiential Learning Director
Lseymour@jccdallas.org
