27 juli 2012, Av 8, 5772
Dear friends!
According to the Hebrew calendar, we, the Jewish people, are going through a period of three weeks: from Tamuze 17 (July 7) till the 9th of Av (July 28) called : between the straits . It ends with the fast of the 9th of Av.
I will try to explain the meaning of these important days: In the Jewish history, this period was a very hard time. The top of all events were the destruction of the temples, the spy's sin who slandered the land of Israel, and many other calamities.
To specifies the event of the destruction of the temples at the 9th of Av, we are fasting and there are no celebrations, because of losing the divine spirit on that day. We long to have this spirit back.
On those hard days, we feel the straits inside our hearts. The meaning of the word Maytzar is: narrow (in Hebrew) . It mean, that we are under pressure and stress. On one hand, we try to feel the divine horizons of the All Mighty, and, on the other hand, we experience the hardship of staying away from the covenant. This gap, create big pressure, which need to be born and break out as a result of us being lost. There is a wonderful potential for this situation to bring up a new spiritual wind as it has said by prophets: "Times of troubles for Jacob, and from it, he will be saved". It means, according to the Jewish tradition, that mourning for the Temples, bring up a big potential of hope to build it back. It's a big hope with a lot of power which demand not to wait in a passive way but to understand that this is a process before starting to build it again and it happens right then, in our ancestors hearts, and make it possible to the new to be born again. We should be ready to release the past (and get rid from old habits) to get rid from foreign G-ds (phony collateral) etc.
In order to win the new light, we should be ready for awhile, along the period of the twilight and mist, when things are not clear and the new identity as a new born baby, is not yet formed. This is the period of "between the straits". Each of us feel the tension and the gap between the yearning for the new which isn't there yet or just has born and is not relevant anymore. We need a lot of courage and patience on being able to stand at such period,mainly because of the fact that humanity is going through a huge transformation and, all of us, forced to watch and live the breakdown of the old order.
I pray, with all my heart, that on this 9th of Av, everything will turn for
the best and from destruction, we will win the experience of a renewed new building.
My best regards.
24 juli 2011, Tammuz 22, 5771
Dear friends!
Yesterday, we marked on the Hebrew calendar the date of 16th of Tammuz It is the beginning of "the period between the straits". It last, until the 9th of Av- along 3 weeks.
At the 16th of Tamuz, the walls of Jerusalem were breached and pogroms has started. Jewish people had the worth tragedies, through those days along the history.
But, we will start from the sin of the spies which came to see the country, and expel a slander of the land of Israel. All the people were crying because of their words.
Since then, every 9thof Av, along generations it is a day of troubles ! Here is some examples:
The Temple (Bait Hamikdash) - were destroyed – twice, on the 9th of Av! The Expulsion from: Spain, Katiff settlement (near Gaza) and more… also, happand on the 9th of Av.
I want to focus on those 3 weeks, which are called: Bain Hamaitzarim.
What does it means ?
The Hebrow word Maitzar comes from the word Tzara (troubles/ narrow), it means and feals - that we are in a narrow point as a nation and as a person. This situation, is very uncomfortable. Many of our certainties are shaking, and many people experience paralyzed and fear, trying to run from it.
We should remember that Maitzarim (straits) comes in favor of our growth and progression. As long as we can absorb this knowledge – as more we will understand what the cause of thus narrow feelings.
This very uncomfortable period, ends with a fast of the 9th of Av. It symbolizes mainly the destruction of the Temple that caused because of a hatred for nothing. How important it is, to increase love and united between a human being with himself, with his friend, his Nation – one heart, Beyond everything - is the connection with the All-Mighty!
I should remind you that the essence of Amutat "Lchaim" is to explore and increase light and love between generations. to become partners- religious and non religious, youngsters, Jews and non Jews – Israel lovers.
This is the blessing of this project: the unconditional love!
Along 7 years, we had succeeded, on building many bridges. I hope that with your help we will continue to strengthen our blessed and modest project.
I can't wait for the new students at the beginning of the year.
With a blessing to our friends!
Daniel , Amutat "Lchaim"