The Light of the “Three Weeks”

During the summer, there are three weeks when the Jewish world traditionally goes into mourning. Though many harsh events have occurred during this time throughout Jewish history, the period is primarily bracketed by two tragedies. The first is the Roman breach of the walls of Jerusalem 70CE, which happened on the Hebrew date of the 17th of Tammuz. The second is when the Roman army destroyed the Holy Temple by setting it ablaze, a mere three weeks later on the Hebrew date of the 9th of Av.

On these two days themselves, able-bodied Jews traditionally fast. During the three week span between these dates a variety of mourning practices are observed. 

As was his way to see the positive in everything, the late Lubavitcher Rebbe shared with us that these three weeks do not simply have to be seen as a spiritual “black out”. We can actually fill this period with positive vibes. Behind the perceived darkness, lingers the very light of the Messiah. This period is particularly auspicious to tap into that light. Therefore, among his followers he transformed these three weeks into a program of study about the Messiah and matters related to the messianic era; to focus more on preparation for the redemption. 

This was a paradigm shift away from the previous view, as it looks to the future rather than the past. Of course, the same customs apply and what’s read in Synagogue does not change. However, he showed the way by demonstrating how to change our attitudes towards this period. Yes, we can change our attitudes!

In the perspective of the “three weeks” I was raised with we also mentioned the messianic era. But mostly this period was focused on the sorrows of the past. If anything, any mention the messianic era was employed in the service of intensifying our sense of sorrow and even our sense that we were helpless victims tossed about in the stormy seas of exile and persecution. In my subjective experience, the mention of the Messiah was like someone dangling a candy before a starving child and taunting, “Not yet, not yet...”. Why? Just so the child can experience the painful cravings of hunger all the more.

The Rebbe flipped all this on its head. He encouraged using these three weeks as a means to look forward to the redemption and use it as a program to prepare for an amazingly glorious future. He employed this period’s referencing of the past only to induce a heightened sense and appreciation for the future we are preparing for and looking forward to - not to emotionally self flagelate, but to positively anticipate.

Unlike the old approach which looked to the future to intensify our sense of sorrow over the past, the Rebbe taught us to look to the past to appreciate why we are working for the future ~ and maybe even to enhance the taste of the future in the present. Those preparing the Sabbath meals get to taste from its delicious foods even while it's still Friday afternoon.

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