Ever feel like you are in dire straits?
Ever wonder what “dire straits” actually means?
Some of you might think it’s a reference to a 1970’s British rock band with the same name.
They actually chose their name to reference their position in life at the time - struggling and broke.
To be in dire straits means to be in a difficult or even desperate situation. The phrase originates from 19th century nautical terminology. “Straits are narrow and treacherous passages of water that need to be navigated carefully” Merriam-Webster.
There is actually a period in the Hebrew calendar which is called “between the straits” and it starts today and continues for three weeks.
Today is the Fast of the 17th of Tammuz (Shiva Asar B’Tammuz). We fast today to remember that on this day the walls of Jerusalem were breached by Titus and the Roman army approximately 2,000 years ago.
Our rabbis teach us that many tragic events occurred on this date in the past.
Moses descended from Mt Sinai and when he saw the people worshipping a golden calf, Moses broke the tablets on which the Ten Commandments were inscribed.
It is also the date when the Jews ceased to offer the daily sacrifice in the Temple, thereby signifying the end of a holy era.
The Roman general Apostomus burned a Torah scroll which set the stage for burning Jewish books throughout the centuries. An idol was placed in the Sanctuary of the Holy Temple.
On the 17th of Tammuz when the walls of Jerusalem were breached during the Second Temole era, it must have felt as though the world as they knew it, was coming to and end.
It was!
Hopelessness.
Today is also the 1000 day since October 7 when once again there was a breach and many horrors were unleashed on our people.
A tragedy of epic proportions.
We are still reeling from the many repercussions.
Hopelessness.
How do we as a people move forward in the face of such despair?
The Three Weeks which are also called the time of dire straits, or between the straits is bookended by 17 Tammuz and Av 9, the date when both Temples in Jerusalem were destroyed.
The second Temple has yet to be rebuilt and our Sages teach us that this is due to our continued baseless hatred of one another.
Celina Biniaz was one of the youngest people saved by Oskar Schindler during World War 2. She and her parents had been somewhat protected as they worked for a clothing factory run by an Austrian businessman, Julius Madritsch. But in 1944 Madritsch had enough. Schindler who was his friend, offered to put some of Madritsch’s people on the list he had created in an effort to move some of his people to a factory in Moravia. That is how Celina and her parents were saved. However there was a “clerical error” and Celina and her mother were redirected to Auschwitz. After five horrific weeks, Schindler secured their release as they had been on his list.
Celina experienced the horrors and terror of Auschwitz.
In her interview with the Shoah Foundation Celina was asked what message she would like to impart to her future generations.
This woman whose life was destroyed as a child by the most hateful of barbarians shared her truths:
“Don’t hate, try to live with your neighbor, accept people - everybody has something to offer - try to see the good in people”.
Celina Biniaz has experienced the worst hell on earth and yet her legacy is one of love and compassion.
Her words reminded me of Rabbi Sacks ob’m Seven Principles for Maintaining Jewish Dialogue.
Rabbi Sacks reminds us that this mourning period in which we find ourselves which culminates in three weeks with the observance of the 9th of Av is because of our ongoing internal conflict, our pervasive internecine strife.
The following is an abridged version:
1. Keep talking, even when you disagree
2. Listen deeply to one another
3. Be humble and try to see the other’s point of view
4. Never seek victory
5. Show respect
6. All Jews are responsible for one another
7. We are one people, the world doesn’t make distinctions, neither should we.
Sivan Rahav Meir says
“ A fast day is a wake-up call, a reminder that our situation is dependent upon how we choose to conduct ourselves—in our relationship with G-d, and with one another. The purpose of the fast is not to cause the body distress, but to awaken the soul— to disrupt our daily routine so that we may stop and reflect on our behavior and mend our ways”.
The fast just begins the voyage.
The next three weeks are laden with meaning.
Although these days are identified with the word “ Strait” which reveals the challenge, it is nonetheless a navigable journey. If we employ the wisdom taught to us by Rabbi Sacks and Celina, we will be equipped with the navigational system which will allow us to emerge on the other side, not only unscathed but triumphant as these tools are the ones we need to build a future founded on national love and respect which will ultimately bring us to our goal - the building of the Third Temple, speedily in our days. Amen!
Shabbat Shalom and so much love!