"Please pray for the Peace of Israel"  Psalm 122  [Chapter-3]

While summer weddings are popular in many parts of the world,
traditionally in Judaism, weddings do not take place over the next
three weeks.

Observing Bein HaMetzarim: Between the Straits

“Judah is gone into captivity because of affliction, and because of great servitude: she dwells among the heathen, she finds no rest: all her persecutors overtook her between the straits.”  (Lamentations 1:3)

The three-week period of mourning observances the intensity and culminate on the Ninth of Av (Tisha B’Av), which coincides this year withAugust 5. Such observances include no Jewish weddings or major celebrations. Some abstain from cutting their hair or shaving while others refrain from attending concerts or even listening to music. In Ashkenazi Jewish tradition, the last nine days of the three weeks are especially intense. Many do not eat poultry, red meat or wine, and they refrain from the luxury of wearing freshly laundered clothing and taking warm baths.  Although Sephardi Jews also observe many of these customs, they do so beginning the Sunday before Tisha B’Av.  If the 9th of Av falls on Sunday, however, these customs are dispensed with.

As during the period of the counting of the Omer, the Three Weeks is a time for considering our thoughts and actions.  It is a season of teshuvah (returning to God, repentance) and salvation. While some may wonder the purpose of such days of fasting on the Jewish calendar, Rabbi Eliyahu Kitov explains that they are designed “to awaken hearts towards repentance through recalling our forefathers' misdeeds; misdeeds which led to calamities.”  (Book of Our Heritage) Indeed, as the breach of the wall in Jerusalem is remembered, it is a good time for all Believers not only to stand with Israel, but also to take stock of their lives. Sin can cause a breach or gap in the protective wall surrounding us.  Through that breach, the enemy (Satan) can enter in and wreak havoc in our lives or the lives of those we are responsible for. As we take stock, we should repent and seek God’s never-ending grace for our shortfalls. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”  (1 John 1:9)

The Search for God During the Three Weeks

            

There is a Hassidic (branch of Orthodox Judaism) parable (mashal) that relates to this three-week period of mourning.

A story is told of the grandson of Rabbi Baruch of Medziboz who was playing hide and seek with another child.  After hiding and waiting a long time for his friend to find him, he popped out of his hiding spot only to discover that his friend was not looking for him. The boy ran to his grandfather.  With tears rolling down his face, he explained that his friend had stopped looking for him. In response, the rabbi said, “Indeed.  That is exactly what the Almighty Himself says: ‘I hide myself but nobody wants to look for Me.’”  (Rabbi Aryeh Hendler)

 Although every child enjoys hiding, he still wants to be searched for, and Rabbi Baruch wisely pointed out that God hides Himself because of our sins.  Nevertheless, He wants us to seek Him out and to really desire to find Him. Sadly, like the child’s young friend, we too often fail to respond to the challenge to find Him.  But His promise remains that we will find Him when we search for Him wholeheartedly. “You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart.”  (Jeremiah 29:13)

Children play a game of hide and seek.

This three-week period of mourning is an opportune time to seek God with all heart.

The 17th of Tammuz and these next three weeks remind that there have been times when God’s face has been hidden because His people strayed so far that they found themselves beyond the bounds of His protective covering. “And in that day I will become angry with them and forsake them; I will hide My face from them, and they will be destroyed.  Many disasters and calamities will come on them, and in that day they will ask, 'Have not these disasters come on us because our God is not with us?'”  (Deuteronomy 31:17) As we Christians, let us examine our ways and look for possible breaches in the walls that surround our soul in order that we through teshuvah and redemption might repair them and renew our relationship with our Father in Heaven.Let us also pray that not only those who know Him will use this time to renew their relationship with their Creator, but also that all of Israel will sincerely seek Him and find Him. 

Men pray at the Western (Wailing) Wall in Jerusalem.