The 17th of Tamuz

We have just finished the 17th of Tamuz fast. The 100 degree weather didn't make it any easier. The most recognized reason for this fast is that the walls of Jerusalem were breached in both the eras of the First and Second Temple, which signaled the start of the siege of Jerusalem which tragically ended in the destruction of both Temples on Tisha B'Av (the Ninth of Av).  We can find a lot of other significant events that according to Rabbinical sources happened on this same date.  Noah sent out the first dove to find land. Moshe descended from Mt. Sinai with the first set of the Ten Commandants which he broke upon seeing the Golden Calf. King Menashe placed an idol in the Temple. Pope Gregory IX confiscated the Talmud and censured large parts of it.

If we try to find a common thread between all the above events, we can observe an overlying theme of isolation. Noah was isolated on the ark, Moshe was isolated on Mt. Sinai, the siege of Jerusalem isolated its inhabitants, Menashe isolated the Temple from the people, and Pope Gregory isolated the Talmud. Today in Israel we also feel very isolated and it doesn't matter whom we seek to blame, it doesn't matter if it's true or false, the feeling is still there. There is a gate which leads us out from this feeling of isolation and standing there is Garin Tzabar.

The thought of youth making Aliyah from established, stable, and affluent countries to Israel and joining the IDF to defend the Jewish State allows us to feel that we aren't as isolated as we think. They help us to remember why we chose to live hear, to raise our families, and to build a homeland for all Jews around the world. We are approaching different sources to seek help in providing different facilities and things for the Garin. The outpouring of praise and empathy is incredible. The feeling of unity, which is often sparse in Israel, centers around Garin Tzabar.

In the Mishna, Taanit 4:8, the 17th of Tamuz is associated with the Messianic prophecy of Zechariya and is destined to be a day of joy, gladness, and cheerful feasts.