On Tisha B’Av, turning destruction into growth

In the Jewish faith the observance of sad historical events also includes an essential human ingredient of optimism that serves to give us something to look forward to — in the case of Tisha B’Av, that would be the upcoming observance of the New Year.

In the latest volume in the series, "Moadei Hashana: Exile and Consolation" (Feldheim Publishers), its author, Rabbi Shimon Dovid Pincus, zt"l, teaches us the value of looking ahead and to cherish the tomorrow.

Consider this from his essay, "Living in Hashem's World"

"Torah sources say that the Three Weeks are a preparation to Rosh Hashanah. The churban is not the end. It is a situation that will be rectified, may it be soon. … The answer to everything is emunah. We can't explain everything. We can't understand how a generation like ours is able to live a life of true spirituality; how we can go through our lives in this world in a way befitting G-d's will; how we can keep the oath we took when we came into this world, to learn and know the entire Torah."

This teaching provides us with a hopeful, optimistic view of life, a life that will surely, with G-d's help, witness the liberation of our people from the terror and hate that we witness daily worldwide.

Earlier in this book on the Three Weeks, Rabbi Pincus referenced the imagery of the bear from the verse in Eichah 3:10, "He is a bear lying in wait for me; a lion in a hiding place." This imagery is further extended by the rabbi in his previous work in this series, "Moadei Hashanah: The Days of Awe,” wherein he teaches us:

"One of the things we need to believe is that the month of Elul is a tremendous and awesome time. We know that our rabbis made a big deal of Elul. They were ardent about it. Rav Yisrael Salanter remarked that all the days of the year need to be like Elul — and Elul itself is surely 'Elul'."

"People recount that Rav Salanter was enwrapped in great fear from Rosh Chodesh Elul on. Once somebody asked him, 'What are you so afraid of? Is Elul a bear?’ Rav Salanter answered him, 'Elul is even more terrifying than a bear. King David declared, 'Your servant has smitten the lion and the bear.' [1 Samuel 17:36] David did not fear these animals. But he nevertheless said about himself, 'My flesh stood on end from Your dread, and I feared Your judgements.' [Psalms 119:120] David was seized by terrible fear of G-d's judgment on Rosh Hashanah."

The bear imagery in Rabbi Pincus' teaching links the observance of Tisha B'Av and Rosh Hashanah in a manner unique to his style of learning. The bear is, both in looks and demeanor, a fearsome beast, an image that can be utilized in the teachings of our faith related to both destruction and to repentance. This goes to the heart of the style of the Torah legacy of Rabbi Shimshom Dovid Pincus, zt"l.

In my essay last year referencing Rabbi Pincus' teachings I wrote the following:

"In reading through these teachings, we come to better appreciate the value of Rabbi Pincus' teachings as they come to be applied to our day-to-day lives year round, and of the value that will most certainly be applied by all spiritually, and practically." This observation is even more applicable this year, with each new work being published of previously unpublished writings, now available for your spiritual enhancement.