We are currently in the month of Tevet. The word "Tevet" is related to the Hebrew word "Tov," which means "good." However, in this month, we commemorate many sad events, including the Tenth of Tevet. This year, the tenth of Tevet occurs on the coming friday, 10th of January.
The tenth of Tevet is the day on which the evil king Nebuchadnezar laid siege upon Jerusalem, which eventually led to the destruction of the first Holy Temple, and the Babylonian exile. The tenth of Tevet is considered an especially solemn day, because it is the first in a series of events which led to the present exile. Therefore it is a day to reflect upon all of those events and the actions that led to them. It is also a day to reflect upon which of our own actions need improving in order hasten the end of exile and prepare for the imminent Redemption.
And yet, as stated previously, Tevet is connected to good. We see from this that we have the power to transform bad into good, sorrow into joy, darkness into light, and exile into redemption. Since Tevet marks the beginning of the calamitous events which befell our people, our Sages named this month "Tevet" to inspire the positive, good energy that is within every one of us.
Tevet has the added significance of being connected to the number ten, as Tevet is the tenth month of the year (counting from Nissan). Additionally, we commemorate the siege of Jerusalem on the tenth day of the tenth month.
Ten is a number of great power. Yom Kippur is on the tenth day of Tishrei. G-d gave us ten commandments. The Torah mentions nine times that the Jews sang to G-d and the tenth song will be song with the coming of Moshiach.
We must harness this additional power found in this month which has the power to transform darkness into light and transform the situation in Eretz Yisroel to one of complete redemption and especially for all those taken hostage.
