Judaism is all about joy, but our people have known much sorrow too.
Tisha B’av—the 9th of Av—the day both Holy Temples were destroyed, is an annual day of national Jewish mourning. Observed with a 24-hour fast, (this year, starting Monday evening, August 12, at sunset, 8:05 pm in Houston), over the years it has become a day on which we mark many other tragedies our people have endured, and the prayers we recite commemorate some of those historic calamities.
Our mourning has a purpose. We don’t fast and cry only because things are so bad, but because it provides us with an opportunity for introspection. We meditate on the reason for the tragedy, and more importantly we look towards the future when there will be no more tragedy and contemplate what we can do to bring about that change.
Looking at the current predicament of the Jewish people, especially our brothers and sisters in the Holy Land in the wake of October 7, we also cry. We cry for the victims of the terror attacks, we cry for the hostages, and we cry for the soldiers who are putting their lives on the line for the safety of their people.
But we also know that the crying and the mourning is temporary. Our cries will certainly be heard by Hashem, and it will lead us to better times. Our eyes are focused towards a time when there will be no more sorrow, a time when all Jews will only have reason to celebrate with true joy. And so, we demand of Hashem to make that happen sooner because we have no tears left to cry.
We demand an end to the tragedies, which will come with the Ultimate Redemption, ushered in by our righteous Moshiach!
Shabbat shalom,
Rabbi Chaim & Chanie
UPCOMING EVENTS
- Monday, August 12, 8:30 pm - Tisha B'Av Maariv and Eicha (Lamentations) followed by Film & Discussion
- Sunday, August 18, 7 pm - THE WHITE PARTY with Magical Illusionist Ben Cohen - Join Houston Young Jewish Professionals in their 20’s and 30’s for a fun evening of laughter and business networking in your summer white cocktail attire! All tickets include show, open bar, hors devours & heavy bites. Advanced: $30 (coupon code: advance – Until Aug. 15), At the door: $45 www.yjphouston.org/cohen
UPCOMING CLASSES AND LECTURES
- Shabbos, 9 am - Chassidus - Likkutei Torah - Kabbala Insights on the Parsha
- Wednesdays, 11 am - The Tanya - Meaning and Purpose of Life
- Wednesdays, 8 pm - YJP Dinner, Class & Social - Contemporary Themes
- Thursdays, 8 pm - The Heart of Prayer- In-depth unpacking the Siddur
- Tuesday, August 20, 12 pm - Aug. Lunch & Learn - How Israel Wins: The Lubavitcher Rebbe's Vision for Achieving Lasting Peace - At the monthly Lunch & Learn the community has an opportunity to enjoy an upscale lunch with like minded friends for a spirited class and discussion! RSVP https://forms.gle/szdra5faBYR1FUxh7
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SHABBOS CHAZON, PARSHAS BAMIDBAR
FRIDAY, AUGUST 9, 5 MENACHEM AV
7:30 pm Mincha & Kabbolas Shabbos
7:50 pm Shabbos Candle Lighting
RSVP for Shabbos Dinner www.chabaduptown.org/shabbatdinner
SHABBOS, AUGUST 10, 6 MENACHEM AV
9:00 am Chassidus
10:00 am Shacharis
Shabbos Lunch Kiddush
2:01 pm Earliest Mincha
Ethics of our Fathers, Chapter 3
8:44 pm Maariv, Havdalla & Shabbos Ends
Living Torah Video
SUNDAY, AUGUST 11, 7 MENACHEM AV
8:00 am Shacharis
MON., EREV TISHA B'AV, AUG. 12, 8 MENACHEM AV
6:45 am Shacharis
1:26 pm Refrain from general Torah Study
Seudah Hamafsekes, egg dipped in ashes.
8:05 pm Fast Begins
Refrain from eating and drinking, bathing, wearing of leather footwear, and marital relations
8:30 pm Maariv
8:45 pm Eichah Reading (Lamentations) followed by
9:15 pm Film and discussion - Film will be shown in HD
TUES., TISHA B'AV, AUG. 13, 9 MENACHEM AV
Ritual wash (negel vasser) only to knuckles
6:45 am Shacharis with Torah Reading
No Tallis and Tefillin at Shacharis
7:45 am Kinos - Lamentations
1:26 pm Midday - Resume sitting normally
7:15 pm Mincha – Talis, Tefillin, Krias HaTorah
8:29 pm Maariv, Havdalla & Fast Ends
Ritual wash hands fully
Kiddush Levanah
Nine day mourning practices continue through tomorrow Wednesday, 1:26 pm
WED.-FRI,, AUG 14-16, 10-12 MENACHEM AV
Shacharis 6:45 am
Good Shabbos!