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Shiurim & Adult Education
THOUGHTS ON THE THREE WEEKS BY RABBI WILKINSON
This Sunday is the fast of Shiva Asar B’Tammuz, the 17th of Tammuz, and the beginning of the ‘Three weeks’ until Tisha B’Av.
In Megillat Eichah we read “All her pursuers overtook her between the boundaries (Bein HaMetzarim)” (1:3). The Rabbis see the words ‘Bein HaMetzarim’ as an allusion to the twenty-one days from the 17th of Tammuz until the 9th of Av, and the custom is to use this phrase to refer to the period.
The Maggid of Mezeritch would explain the verse in a novel way. The words ‘All her pursuers’ he would say could be interpreted as anyone who is seeking to come close to Hashem, can find Him during these days, Bein Hametzarim. It is a special time.
Though it may seem to be a time of distance from Hashem, there is an unusual opportunity for closeness.
The Kozhnitzer Maggid compared it to a king who sits on a magnificent throne in an elegant chamber, a band of musicians filling the room with beautiful music. When the king is in good spirits, their music is appreciated, but when the king is dejected and sad, the music is not just welcome, but necessary. It is then that their music can alter his mood, lift his spirits and enable him to climb beyond his misery and despair.
During these days, we mourn for what we have lost, and anguish in both the higher and lower realms. When we strengthen ourselves, telling the Creator, “Yes, we are missing the Beit HaMikdash, but You remain our Father and King, and the day will yet come when Your home will be restored,” he is like the musician who is able to bring joy to the palace when it is needed most.
The pain we feel is no contradiction to this expression of joy. The Rebbe Rav Shmelka of Nikolsburg compared this to a king who is forced into exile, and during his travels, he stays at the home of an old, dear friend.
The host is overjoyed to see the king, pleased at the honour he is being given but also heartbroken at the fact that the king he so reveres is forced into exile, far from home.
The wise person recognizes the opportunity of this period: the King is in exile, but will soon be back in the palace, now is the time to approach, to ask, to do whatever you can to bring Him a bit more joy.
One who seeks Hashem, says the Maggid, can find him between the straits, during this period of Bein Hametzarim.
The Rebbe Rav Mordche’le of Nadvorna tell those in need of yeshuah, salvation, to come to him during a specific time of year. Not the Yamim Noraim, not Purim, not Lag BaOmer nor Zot Chanukah but during the Nine Days, the period from Rosh Chodesh Av until Tishah B’Av.
This was when he felt he could intercede in heaven for them, to draw compassion from the King, and even nowadays, people travel to his grave during these days, hoping and davening that he intercedes for a yeshuah.
Yes, it is a time of pain and sorrow, but because of that, the door to connection is open wider than usual, and this itself gives us reasons for joy.
Shabbat shalom
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