Rabbi Dr. Joshua Berman never fails to give new insights on ancient texts. He joins Eve Harow to discuss his new read on the Book of Lamentations. Also known as Eicha, it’s traditionally read on the 9th of Av, when Jews fast and remember the many calamities that have befallen us - or that we’ve brought upon ourselves- on or around that date.

Credited to the prophet Jeremiah and written after the destruction of the First Temple in 586 BCE, Berman’s take is that this must be looked at as a classic example of ‘Belief Persistence,’ where despite all evidence to the contrary the remaining Judeans needed to be told that their behavior led to the end of sovereignty and to Exile.

Other commentators have interpreted the book differently. The modern take on victimization nullifies taking responsibility, which is what Berman thinks is the ultimate message of the book. The opposite of love is indifference; that cannot be our relationship with our Creator. Not then, and not now.