The coming Tuesday (December 14) is the tenth of Tevet. This date marks the anniversary of the beginning of the siege of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon. The siege eventually resulted in the destruction of the First Holy Temple in 422 B.C.E. It is observed as a fast day and is considered an especially solemn day because it is the first in a series of events that led to the present exile. Therefore it is a day to reflect upon all of those events and the actions that led to them and to reflect upon which of our own actions need improving in order to hasten the end of exile and prepare for the imminent Redemption.
Jewish teachings explain that anniversaries on the Jewish calendar are not merely days to memorialise an event or happening. Rather, the energy that was present at that time is present in the world once again.
How do we, today, respond to a devastating tragedy that occurred to the Jewish people nearly 2,500 years ago?
The Rebbe made the following suggestions in response to this question:
- During the fast day, to help ensure the security of the Land of Israel and to strengthen it, both materially and spiritually, and also for the material and spiritual benefit of all Jews wherever they may be, a special effort should be made in the three areas of Torah study, prayer, and charity.
- Charity, in particular, should be given in the morning and afternoon, and it is especially appropriate to give charity to an institution in Israel.
- A person who does any of the above-mentioned activities throughout the day is to be praised. And the more he does, the more praiseworthy he is.
The word "Tevet" is related to the Hebrew word "tov," which means "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. May we succeed in ending our long exile and merit to see the complete restoration of Jerusalem and the rebuilding of the third Beis Hamikdosh speedily in our times.
