At just three years old, a young Rav Shlomo Carlebach thought the Beis HaMikdash had been rebuilt because the fast was over and his parents were eating again. What followed was a chain of tears, memory, and a story passed down through generations, with no real ending. Maybe that’s the point.

Rav Shlomo Carlebach once witnessed a Tisha B’Av custom in France: each person blew out their candle during Eicha—then relit it. But one Jew did something Rav Shlomo never forgot. When the lights go out, sometimes the deepest prayers are the ones left unspoken.

Reb Baruch of Mezhibuzh wept over just a few lines in the siddur. So when his chassidim showed him an entire sefer on korbanos, he was stunned. How can you write calmly about something we no longer have? When Torah isn’t history—but heartbreak—you feel the loss. Do we?

On Motzei Tisha B’Av, the Lelover Rebbe told the Bialer Rebbe why the fast felt easy: “I didn’t think I’d need to finish it.” When you live expecting the Geula any minute, time bends differently… 

Can you hear the stones cry? Reb Shloime’le of Zvhil said you can, especially during the Three Weeks. And one tzaddik refused to visit the Kosel on Tisha B’Av… because even the walls go silent.

While mourning the Churban on Tisha B’Av, a man was interrupted with a request for help. The Premishlaner Rebbe gently told him: You were just handed a chance to start rebuilding the Beis HaMikdash. What do we choose—tears, or bricks?

One Friday night in Auschwitz, two Alexander chassidim whispered memories of their Rebbe’s tish and suddenly, every Shabbos they ever experienced returned in full.

Rav Shlomo Carlebach heard the story. What does it mean to taste eternity in the darkest place on earth?

At a Vishnitzer tish, the Rebbe gave overflowing honor to someone no one recognized, and who didn’t seem to "deserve" it. When asked why, his answer held the key to rebuilding the Beis HaMikdash. 

After the horrors of Auschwitz, two survivors finally looked in a mirror, and couldn’t bear what they saw.
But when they looked at each other, something else emerged.

What does it mean to see beauty with the eyes of the Beis HaMikdash?

When a chassid came to the Apter Rebbe for personal advice, the Rebbe suddenly broke down in tears. But not for the reason you’d expect.

Sometimes, the deepest tears aren’t about you at all.