This evening we discuss how to mourn the Churban this Tisha B'Av, when what we are mourning are things and aspects of life we have never experienced. So we need help, to appreciate what we had, in order to recognize the grief over its loss. We focus on this unique Shabbat, which is actually the Ninth day of Av (though the fast is pushed off till Saturday night and Sunday). And we struggle to understand the comment of Rabbi Avraham Heschel, that this Shabbat is the greatest, holiest of the year. Through a close reading of Elei Tzion (one of the emotional and dramatic Kinnot we recite this Sunday morning), and a comparison of its two central metaphors, we arrive at an understanding of this Shabbat as a glimpse of the redeemed future, an opportunity to see the unfolding of redemption before our eyes, while celebrating the joy of Shabbat.

Michael Whitman is the senior rabbi of ADATH Congregation in Hampstead, Quebec, and an adjunct professor at McGill University Faculty of Law. ADATH is a modern orthodox synagogue community in suburban Montreal, providing Judaism for the next generation. We take great pleasure in welcoming everyone with a warm smile, while sharing inspiration through prayer, study, and friendship.

Rabbi Whitman shares his thoughts and inspirations through online lectures and shiurim, which are available on:

YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/adathyoutube

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adathmichael/

Podcast - Mining the Riches of the Parsha:

Apple Podcasts - https://tinyurl.com/miningtheriches1

Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/miningtheriches3

Stitcher: https://tinyurl.com/miningtheriches4

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