A Word from the Director Insights

Today, Friday, 22nd of December, is the 10th of Teves, when we commemorate the start of the siege of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezar, King of Babylon. The siege resulted in the eventual destruction of the First Holy Temple nearly 2500 years ago. This day is commemorated as a public fast day.

On the Shabbat 9 Teves 5736/1975, Shabbat Parshat Vayigash, the Lubavitcher Rebbe suggested specifically how we can aid the situation in the Land of Israel during such an auspicious date.

• Study of Torah. Specifically: The laws regarding fasting, and since the ultimate purpose of a fast day is that it be transformed into joy and gladness and to a holiday - we should also study the end of the Laws of Fasting in Maimonides' Mishne Torah, where he discusses the fulfillment of the promise that the fast days will be transformed to "holidays" and "days of joy and gladness."
• Prayer. Specifically, the three Psalms, 20 22 and 69 that the Previous Rebbe had directed to be said in 1941. Even though the present situation is not at all as severe, G-d forbid, as it was then, yet it is still appropriate to make an additional effort beyond the conventional.
• Charity: The siege of the walls surrounding Jerusalem began on the 10th of Tevet. Accordingly, based on the homiletic interpretation of our Sages on the verse "I am your wall” - “this is Torah” - charity should be given to a Torah organization, and more specifically - (also) to literally help build a 'wall' - charity to construct a Torah building (or for the maintenance and repairs of an existing building).

As there is a virtue in the charity performed outside of Israel as well as a virtue in charity given specifically for Israel, it is therefore commendable to give additional charity both for a Torah institution outside of Israel and for a Torah institution inside Israel.