In this month, the destruction of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem began.
Tamuz is the fourth of the twelve months of the Jewish calendar, counting from Nissan. It marks the beginning of the summer season, which includes the months of Tamuz, Av, and Elul.
On the 17th day of Tamuz, a fast day that commemorates the breaching of the walls of Jerusalem by the Romans (in 69 CE), a period known as the “Three Weeks” begins.
This is an annual period of mourning, during which we lament the destruction of the Holy Temple and the reasons for our present exile. This period culminates and concludes with the fast of the Ninth of Av – the day when both Temples were set on fire (in 423 BCE and 69 CE). Because of this, as well as many other tragedies that occurred during this time in Jewish history, we curtail expressions of joy during the three weeks leading up to this day.
Why do we mourn for over two thousand years?
G-d is our Father, and we are His children. During the period of galut (exile), we are a family in discord. We were banished from our Father’s House, and our relationship with Him is broken. But this is not how it should be – and it was not always so. Once, we were enveloped in the love of the Almighty. His love was manifested in miracles, prophets, an abundance of blessings, and a Land flowing with milk and honey.
At the center of this relationship stood the Holy Temple – the House of G-d, where He literally dwelt among His people, and His presence was felt.
All the suffering that has befallen us since the destruction of the Temple is a consequence of exile. That is why we mourn the destruction of the Temples. We believe with complete faith and we pray that the day of our return to our Father’s House is near, and that we will once again feel His love. We await with hope the bright future when the world will achieve the purpose of its existence and be filled with eternal peace and goodness.
