I want to add one more thing, a caveat. As I write this, the fighting in Gaza is not over. I know that more of our brothers and sisters are going to die and I view each death as a massive tragedy. I’m not trying to belittle or downgrade any of the terror our brothers and sisters are facing and I hope my words are not perceived as dismissing the terrible events that are occurring (and may still occur).
I simply believe (and yes, it’s easier for me to believe this in the comfort of my American home, without any air raid sirens) that Hashem is somehow setting things up for our redemption. That has been our history. Tragedy leads to salvation. The ashes of the Holocaust brought us a Jewish homeland. The death of Torah in Europe sprouted the seeds of great learning in America and Israel.
This Tisha B’Av, and even this Tu B’Av, remember that Hashem will protect us if we unite and rally around Him. We often walk through the valley of the shadow of death, but Hashem will never let us linger there.
Have a meaningful fast.
