Rabbi Howard Morrison

On Friday, many Jews will observe the Fast of Asarah B'Tevet, the Fast of the tenth of Tevet. While our tradition associates a number of events with this date, the most widely known is that the Babylonian Empire besieged the city of Jerusalem on the tenth of Tevet. It is this sad date which set the stage for what followed. A few months later, the Babylonians breached the walls of Jerusalem. A few weeks later, the Babylonians completely destroyed the Holy Temple and much of Jerusalem. Over six hundred years later, the Roman Empire completely destroyed the Holy Temple again and much of Jerusalem. The Babylonians and Romans burned the Holy Temple at two distinct times in Jewish history and also systematically destroyed Jerusalem with fire, which included the burning of houses. 

While enemy nations have not burned homes, synagogues, establishments, and cities in Los Angeles; nevertheless, we are witnessing the horror of destructive fire. Who cannot be touched by the images we have seen on television? Who cannot be touched by the shock and sadness felt by family, friends, and colleagues in California? Who cannot be moved by acts of bravery, including the rescue of Torah scrolls from burning synagogues before it was too late?

We pray that the destructive fire will end soon, and that it be replaced by the spiritual flame of last week's Chanukiah, the weekly Shabbat candles, and our commitment to Torah Orah - the light of Torah.

Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Howard Morrison