We have just concluded the saddest time of the year. 

Last week we commemorated the time we lost the first and second Temples and the period of mourning is segueing into a time of consolation. 

There is a powerful image shared with us by our Sages. 

In the Talmud it describes the shocking final scene of the destruction of the Temple. While the edifice was going up in flames, the cohort of young Kohanim, the Priests, who were charged with the service in the Temple,  realized the end had come. The Talmud depicts the haunting scene  as they watch the holy building going up in flames. Holding the keys to the building in their hands they declare to Gd that since they were not worthy to remain the stewards of this holy place and it’s endeavors, they are, so to speak, returning the keys to Gd. The Talmud states they then threw the keys heavenward and a “hand” reached out and caught the keys for safekeeping. 

This depiction reveals the despair of those tragic days, and the utter hopelessness that prevailed. 

We are still trying to find the keys to unlock the gates of redemption. 

The seven weeks between the 9th of Av and Rosh Hashana are called the 7 weeks of consolation. 

Each week, we read different passages from the prophets in the weekly Haftorahs that give us hope that all is not lost and we can continue to unlock doors which will bring us to personal and national redemption. 

Sometimes, in our personal or national lives we will experience events that will illustrate for us the reality that doors which may be locked and are preventing us from moving forward in our journey may ultimately swing open when least expected. 

In June 7, 1967, the Israeli paratroopers who had been locked in battle with Jordanian elite troops found  themselves advancing through the Old City of Jerusalem. These soldiers had never been in the Old City before and didn’t know what paths to take to arrive at the Kotel, the Wailing Wall. Under sniper fire they began to despair of reaching their goal. As they began to see the Wall in the distance they were stopped in their tracks by a locked gate. 

They could go no further. 

While they pondered next steps all of a sudden an elderly Arab man approached. 

The soldiers asked him how to get to The Wall. 

He  responded by removing a large key from around his neck which he proceeded to give to one of the soldiers. 

The key was inserted, the gate swung open, and the Israeli troops ran down to the Kotel. 

As they arrived the decorated commander Yoram Zamosh cried 

“Kotel, Kotel we have returned”. 

The soldiers were overwhelmed  with emotion and the deputy commander Moshe Stempel said with tears running down his cheeks  “today we aren’t settling accounts with the Jordanian legionnaires we are settling accounts with the Roman legionnaires who destroyed the Temple”. 

It took an ancient key to unlock the gate which allowed our soldiers to liberate the Wall, with Gd’s help. 

It’s been nearly 2500 and we needed a key. 

It was not the key to the Third Temple but it unlocked the gate to the remnant of the wall where we can feel the hope for the future while connecting to our past. 

For many, arriving at the Wall unlocks a reservoir of emotion. We can sense the centuries of prayers that were offered in that sacred spot and we connect to our ancestors who lived and prayed for a better future, never giving up hope even when the future looked bleak. 

The key may be a physical one which unlocks a door or it may be a metaphysical one created by  overcoming challenge which allows us to walk through a gate which opens vistas to the next level of our personal growth. 

That  message of hope delivered during these weeks should support us no matter how challenging the time. 

Hope is not lost. 

There is always a key to unlock new possibilities and outcomes never before considered. 

May we continue to find those keys!

I want to take this opportunity to wish Mazel Tov to our dearest Batsheva, who unlocks much wisdom for us with her beautiful teaching, on the occasion of the Bar Mitzva of her son this Shabbat in Jerusalem. 

May this young man grow to be a light and leader in the Jewish people. 

Shabbat Shalom and so much love!