Tisha B'Av is a Hebrew date that has marked a mysterious curse and/or punishment of the Jewish people for thousands of years. The greatest tragedies to befall the Jewish people, from the death of the first generation in the desert during the Exodus, to the destruction of the first and second temples, to the Spanish Inquisition, all the way up until the Holocaust, and other terrible episodes in Jewish history all corelate to that particular Hebrew calendar date, Tisha B'Av (the 9th day of the month of Av) and the 17th day of the month of Tamuz three weeks earlier. That 3-week period is recognized by Jews who know their people's history as the saddest time in the entire year.
Given the low probabilities of so many terrible events all linking to the same date, it easy to understand why so many religious people say their is a spiritual or supernatural explanation. The Rabbi explains in the video.
The "Sin of the Spies" and the punishment of the first generation in the desert is considered the first Tisha B'Av. The "Bad Report" given by the "10 Spies" is taken to be Lashon Hara. The result was a lack of faith in the Israelites.
Lashon Hara, which literally means "the tongue of the wicked individual" can include speech that damages someone emotionally or financially, or lowers their reputation with others.
The Rabbi in the video above explains the strange relationship between "lashon hara" (speaking negatively or harmfully even if it's true) and Tisha B'Av.
The scriptures offer several warnings and teachings about the power and consequences of speech:
Proverbs 18:21: "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits."
Proverbs 16:28: "A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends."
Leviticus 19:16: "Do not go about spreading slander among your people. Do not do anything that endangers your neighbor’s life. I am the Lord."
Tisha B'Av is the most extreme case of the harm that can come from speaking ill of others. What came from the lashon hara of the "10 Spies" was a lack of faith that ultimately led God to not allow the Israelites to enter the Promised Land. That generation were to pass away in the desert.
The Bible verse that addresses the Israelites being denied entry into the Promised Land because of the sin of the spies is found in the Book of Numbers. Specifically, Numbers 14:30 (NIV) states:
"Not one of you will enter the land I swore with uplifted hand to make your home, except Caleb son of Jephunneh and Joshua son of Nun."
When we see the Promised Land, Eretz Israel, as a metaphor for heaven, we should easily see the essential need for faith.
Moses's lack of faith, when he struck the Rock rather than speaking to it, caused God not to let Moses enter the Promised Land. God is to be feared!
The Bible verse that discusses Moses not being allowed to enter the Promised Land because he struck the rock is found in the Book of Numbers. Specifically, Numbers 20:12 (NIV) states:
"But the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, 'Because you did not trust in me enough to honor me as holy in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this community into the land I give them.'"
The punishment/curse of Tisha B'Av is real -- it is a fact of history. If the cause is Lashon Hara and a subsequent lack of faith, what can we learn must be done to break the curse? The most obvious answer is to guard our tongue.
While guarding our tongue addresses the future, it does not make up for the past. Only sincere repentance can start to heal our relationships with one another and God.
I have some questions about Tisha B'Av. I suppose my questions can only be answered by God but I do often meditate on them and I have my views:
- If Repentance is required to break the curse, what must today's generation repent for?
- Has there been another time/case in history when the Jewish people lacked faith?
- Will another Tisha B'Av tragedy occur?
There is no reason to feel secure and to think that another Tisha B'Av tragedy will not befall us again. Frankly, given the repeated nature of history, I think a future event is inevitable. If anything, with the sad state of faith, the unrepentant nature of society and the epidemic levels of lashon hara in our social media culture, Tisha B'Av is more likely than ever.
The principle of practicing love for one another instead of engaging in Lashon Hara (evil speech or gossip) is rooted in several biblical and rabbinic teachings. One of the key verses is Leviticus 19:18 (NIV):
"Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord."
This verse emphasizes the importance of love and positive relationships among people.
Additionally, in rabbinic literature, such as the Talmud, there are numerous teachings that emphasize the importance of avoiding Lashon Hara and promoting love and kindness among individuals. For example, in Pirkei Avot (Ethics of the Fathers) 1:12, it states:
"Hillel says: Be of the disciples of Aaron, loving peace and pursuing peace, loving your fellow creatures and drawing them near to the Torah."
These teachings collectively underscore the value of love and positive speech within the Jewish tradition.
One of the main messages of Rabbi Yeshua, A.K.A. as Jesus, preached was to "Love one another." He was rejected by the Jewish leaders who talked terribly of Jesus. His rejection led to his crucifixion.
A famous New Testament verse where Jesus speaks of loving one another is found in the Gospel of John. John 13:34-35 (NIV) states:
"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
By the way, I wrote another blog post on this subject. Here is a link - "Baseless Hate."
For my Christian friends, perhaps this can be viewed as a response to my questions.
