Destruction.  Trauma.  Pain.  Jews mark such experience during the summer months,  on the ninth of Av.

Today is Tisha B’Av.  It is a day when many Jews fast, read the Book of Lamentations, and recall the destruction of both the First and Second Temples, both of which occurred on this day.  Many other terrors occurred on this same day: The Jews of England were expelled on Tisha B’Av in 1290 as were the Jews of Spain in 1492.  And, in recent memory, the Warsaw Ghetto was liquidated on the ninth of Av.

But many Jews neither know about Tisha B’Av or actually mark the day.  How would present-day Jews mourn for temples they would likely not want to see rebuilt?  The temples of our ancient times were sites of ritual sacrifice under the leadership of a long-gone priesthood. The vast majority of Jews in our time would not wish to return the slaughter of animals back to Jewish practice.

As we prepare for the month of Elul and our High Holy Days, we might think about what the word “temple” might mean for us.  Recently, our community meeting demonstrated  that our members are deeply concerned about the state of the temple we all inhabit — the one the earth itself provides for us.

Our earth is a sacred place and most be treated with reverence.  There is much to mourn in the way that we have harmed and even destroyed our earthly temple.  This year, we can mark Tisha B’Av as a day that reminds us of our calling: To engage in the real world, to heal in the real world.

It is important to recognize what we have lost.  It is critical that we respond with acts of teshuva — with return, with restoration, and with respect for the holy earth we inhabit.

Keyn y’hi ratzon.

Rabbi Barbara