Apparently my eye makeup is not waterproof.
Despite the protestations of the cosmetic company in question, some recent crying jags have resulted in beautiful raccoon eyes and black streaks down the cheeks.
Crying is a unique response.
It is rare to find an action that can express extreme and opposite emotions.
Tears are considered to be the “sweat of the soul”.
When we are extremely sad - we cry.
When we are extremely happy - we cry.
Tears spill when we are angry, frustrated, hysterically laughing and deeply moved.
The Talmud teaches us that when the Temple in Jerusalem was destroyed, the gates of prayer were shut. Despite that seemingly dark reality, the Talmud continues that the Gates of Teard always remain open.
Crying out to Gd in any sort of pain is a way to reach out even when we cannot find the words to articulate our lacking.
This week’s Torah Portion is called Shlach, which means “send”. It is the tragic story of the 12 spies were sent to scout out the Land of Israel prior to entry.
Instead of seeing the incredible beauty of the Land, the spies returned with a negative report which they shared with the Jewish people upon their return. Instead of rejoicing in anticipation of entering the Land of Israel, the people sat in their tents and cried.
Rabbi Shaul Rosenblatt reminds us that the Torah highlights a facet of human nature. “When things are tough, it’s much easier to wallow in our own self pity than to embrace and overcome the challenge.”
The date the spies returned from their reconnaissance was the 9th day of the Hebrew month of Av.
Gd decreed that since the Jewish people cried for no reason at that time, there would be ample reason to cry on that day in the future.
And so it was.
The first Holy Temple in Jerusalem was destroyed on the 9th of Av.
The second Temple was also destroyed on the 9th of Av and it is the anniversary of many tragic Jewish historical events, including the expulsion of the Jews from Spain in 1492.
Rabbi Rosenblatt reminds us that crying in the Jewish tradition is an appropriate way to express emotion. It is healthy to cry when one is in any kind of pain or when one is frustrated. The only kind of crying that is not healthy is crying out of self pity. When one feels hopeless then that crying takes away the resolve to step up and face challenges.
That is why Gd told the Jews who cried over the report of the spies that there would be a reason to cry in the future. That would transform the cry to something more productive.

I cry easily.
Sometimes a jingle playing in the grocery aisle will move me to tears.
Usually it is something more profound.
Last night we had the honor of watching
Undeniable: The Untold Story of the Boys Who Escaped the Gas Chamber.
This documentary, which was spearheaded by Rabbi Naftali Schiff, co-founder of JRoots, the organization that brought JWCA to Poland twice, is the incredible true story of 51 boys who were pulled out of the gas chamber in Auschwitz and given a second chance to live.
This excellent film is a story of “light and hope”.
During the course of 20 years, Rabbi Schiff was able to track down six of the boys and interview them. The resulting story which is also documented in the newly released book Miracle:The Boys Who Escaped the Gas Chamber at Auschwitz by Michael Calvin and Naftali Schiff (available on Amazon) depicts the indomitable faith shared by these six survivors.
I cried as I watched the movie and was once again thrust into the dark planet of Auschwitz.
After the movie was over Rabbi Schiff shared the backstory of one of the images which concludes the film.
There is a clip of one of the “boys” Hershel Herskovic, a 99 year old at this time, at the wedding of a grandson.
In the clip, Mr. Herskovic who is blind due to the result of Nazi brutality, is seen holding up his white walking stick as his family dances around him joyously. Rabbi Schiff explained that Mr. Herskovic generally refuses to use the stick as an assistance for his disability.
But during the wedding celebration and dancing
“He brandished his white stick in the air like a scepter and said ‘We Won’”.
That brought a whole new rush of tears.
These tears however were ones that were inspired by the strength and faith of this man who prevailed in the face of such evil.
He proceeded from the Valley of Death and never gave up. He raised a large family and was successful in every way possible.
This story of faith and hope shook me to my core and brought me to tears-tears of gratitude to be part of such a noble people, tears born of such incredible inspiration.
If anyone has any recommendations for some long lasting mascara?
I need a new one.
Preferably tear proof.
Shabbat Shalom and so much love!