HaShem Is With Us Always

When Moshe Rabbeinu descended Mount Sinai after receiving the Tablets of the Torah, it was on the 17th of Tammuz. Upon seeing the idol, the golden calf, he destroyed the Tablets. Indeed, our Sages teach (Taanit 26a) that there were five incidents that occurred on the 17th of Tammuz: “1) the Tablets were broken, 2) the daily sacrifice in the Temple was voided, 3) the walls of Jerusalem were breached, 4) the Roman General burned the Torah, and 5) an idol was placed in the Temple.”

This day of infamy marked the beginning of the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple, which led to the exile of the Jews and all the subsequent suffering that the Jews have endured since then. At that time, once the walls were breached, it took three weeks until Tisha b’Av (9th of Av) for the invaders to enter and set fire to the Temple. Thus, we observe these Three Weeks in mourning to remind us of our terrible losses. It also serves as a period of remembrance for us to return to HaShem so that the Temple will be rebuilt and the exiles will return from the Diaspora.

What is very interesting to note is that as we were exiled, so too, as it were, HaShem was exiled. And He continues to dwell with us during our exile. In fact, it is important for us to know that during these three weeks, HaShem is actually closer to us than during the rest of the year. The reason? It is as if we are cast out, but our King is still with us, thus He is suffering with us but remaining with us.

These weeks are days of suffering. But knowing that our King is with us causes us to feel His compassion and to recognize His love and kindness. After all, we’ve been kicked about for some 2,000 years—going from country to country, being uprooted again and again—and yet we are still here! As vibrant as ever. No other nation has endured our suffering, but since we left their domain, those countries are generally relegated to the dustbins of history. Check out Babylon, Greece and Spain—where they were and where they are today.

It thus develops that these Three Weeks are, in a way, very special. They are days of repentance, and they are days when both we and HaShem yearn for each other and can thus draw close to Him. Since HaShem is with us, always, we can lift ourselves up to be proud of our accomplishments and rejoice in our survival. Always.

May HaShem heal us with the coming of Mashiach and the rebuilding of the Temple, Amen.