By: K.J. Kruger

Tisha B’Av is a day of memorial and remembrance.  It falls on the 9^th of Av in the Jewish calendar (August 11^th, this year), and is commemorated by fasting, the reading of the Book of Lamentations, and mourning rituals.

Historically, many horrible things have happened on this day.  In the book of Numbers, we read that the spies who were sent out to navigate the land returned with a bad report; both Holy Temples in Jerusalem were destroyed; the Jews were expelled from England and banished from Spain; and World War I began.

From the fast of the 17^th of Tammuz until three weeks later, many religious Jewish people refrain from festivities, and anything considered dangerous is avoided. It is significant to note that many religious Jewish people do not go to the beach during this time, and, in fact, often there are jellyfish on the Israeli beaches making swimming inaccessible and dangerous. Additionally, the water is often very rough. It is as though nature itself, designed by the Creator, encourages His people to be safe. Miraculously, after Tisha B’Av the jellyfish vanish making swimming at the beach possible again.

Tisha B’Av and the three weeks preceding it, are meant to be a reflective time in which we examine our sins and try to do better and, generally, to be better people.

Some are predicting that the anticipated strike from Iran may come on Tisha B’Av and this would be directly in keeping with the other calamities that have befallen us as a people on this day.

This year, especially in Israel, there has been a deep mourning and soul searching already, especially after the devastating events that occurred on October 7^th, and the subsequent war and loss that so many have experienced. How are we to understand this solemn and painful day, considering all these events and the anticipated event of an imminent strike by an enemy?

During this day, we read the Book of Lamentations where we see our pathetic condition after the Babylonian conquest of Jerusalem. This conquest was the result of ancient Israel's leaders’ pride, disregard for prophetic warnings, and sin. Since we have been in a war for our very existence, since October 7^th, and one could argue even before, we, in Israel, have been preoccupied with survival. This is a war, devastating as it is, that we cannot afford to lose. We mourn the loss of life, homes, businesses and the ongoing painful reality of hostages living in the dungeons of Gaza.  Many people, I am sorry to say, have left the country believing that hope is lost.

In Numbers 13 and 14, it is described that the spies also didn’t believe that Israel was a good land for them, and instead believed a bad report. They didn’t have faith in God, and they didn’t have faith in His promises. In a sense, they believed “fake news” and the negativity and fear of others.  It is easy to fall into this trap, but fear is in direct opposition to faith. We, as believers, do not have the luxury of allowing ourselves to fear. Over and over God speaks to us in the Bible and asks us to trust Him and to not be afraid. This requires supernatural faith, the faith of God.

Notably, in the middle of the Book of Lamentations, where the devastation of Judah is described, there is a well-known verse, that seems to come out of the blackness of despair. In Lamentations 3:23, it says, “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”

What a remarkable and strengthening promise! It is as though God is saying, “I know it is and has been hard. This is a devastating time for my people Israel. Nevertheless, do not lose faith and do not lose heart. I am here and I will remain with you and be true to my Word.”

There will be a reckoning. There will be investigations and there will be those who will be called to account for the lapses in security and the disregard of warnings. Those will come and, indeed, they must. Nevertheless, now is not the time to despair. Now is not the time to lose heart and to lose faith. Now is the time to encourage ourselves and others. Great is His faithfulness, to me, to you and to those who are called by His name.

Our mourning will be turned into joy. And we will flourish again.