Have you ever felt a shift in the energy around you without knowing why? From July 6 to 27, Jewish tradition speaks of Bein Hametzarim, a period when the divine presence withdraws and an intense, sometimes chaotic energy prevails. Join us on this journey to unravel its mysteries.
Bein Hametzarim: The Cosmic Energy of Jewish Tradition
The Jewish community invites us to unravel the secrets of its calendar. With the sunset on Thursday, July 6, 2023, we enter the period known as ‘Bein Hametzarim’ or ‘Days of Distress’. For three weeks, until Thursday, July 27, Jewish tradition holds that the Shechinah (divine presence) takes a step back and a torrent of cosmic energy, intense and sometimes tumultuous, floods our days.
This energy is a double-edged sword; for some, it is an opportunity for growth, while others find it prudent to shield themselves from its influence. But what makes these three weeks so special?
Two Catastrophes That Shaped a Culture
We embark on a journey back in time to ancient Jerusalem. There, over two thousand years ago, the Jewish community suffered two of the most devastating tragedies in its history on these very dates, separated by almost five centuries.
First, in 586 BCE, the Babylonian army tore down the walls of Jerusalem and, after a month of bloody fighting, set the Great Temple, the Beit Hamikdash, ablaze. This event marked the beginning of a painful exile. The prophet Jeremiah, with a shattered heart, penned a lament that captures the despair of those days.
Like a tragic déjà vu, in 70 CE, the Roman Empire, which had extended its tentacles over vast territories including the Holy Land, staged the second fall of Jerusalem. After a fierce siege, Roman troops entered the city on the 17th of Tammuz and three weeks later, set the Second Temple of Jerusalem on fire.
Bein Hametzarim: Ancestral Reflections in the Modern Era
In a modern, fast-paced era, Bein Hametzarim serves as a reminder that sometimes it is essential to pause and reflect. Through these three weeks, the Jewish community offers us a window into its history and traditions.
A call to remember, learn and perhaps, allow that torrent of ancestral energy to guide us on our path.
Jerusalem in the Second Temple Era: Between Tradition and Tension
Let’s take a step back. During the Second Temple period, life in Jerusalem had regained some normalcy under Roman rule. The Jewish community continued with its religious practices and the Temple stood firm.
However, not everything was peace and harmony. Roman taxes were burdensome and tensions between the Jewish community and Roman rulers were on the rise.
Additionally, within the Jewish community, there was division. Different factions held opposing views on how to deal with Roman occupation. Some wanted to maintain the status quo, while others felt stifled by foreign domination and yearned to liberate the Holy Land.
Hamered Hagadol: The Uprising That Forever Changed Jewish History
This unrest culminated in ‘Hamered Hagadol’, or ‘The Great Revolt’. Initiated by Jews in Galilee, the rebellion soon spread to Judea and Jerusalem.
The Romans, determined to quash the insurrection, laid siege to Jerusalem with a formidable army. The city was besieged; entry and exit became impossible and hunger and thirst gripped its inhabitants.
The final wall fell on the 17th of Tammuz in the year 70 and what followed was a devastating massacre. Jerusalem was pillaged and the Second Temple, along with hundreds of homes, was set ablaze. The destruction was such that it marked the beginning of an exile that lasted over 2000 years.
The Solemnity of Bein Hametzarim: Uncovering the Mourning Practices of the Jewish Community
As the Jewish community remembers these dark chapters in its history, the community adopts specific practices that manifest their mourning during the period of Bein Hametzarim.
From the outset, celebrations are put on hold: weddings are not held and new clothing must wait. Additionally, as a sign of solemnity, music, which often uplifts the heart, is silenced and hair is not cut.
As the period draws to a close, the customs become stricter, reflecting the intensification of mourning. Meat and wine, symbols of festivity, are not consumed.
Furthermore, washing clothes, as well as bathing in the sea or pools, is avoided as acts of humility and in memory of the destruction of the Temple and the hardships faced by our ancestors.
Bein Hametzarim: A Bridge between Past and Present in Jewish Memory and Culture
It is a time to honor history and traditions. But it is also a reminder of the value of resilience and the importance of remembering where we come from.
Through reflection and respect for these mourning customs, a thread is woven that connects the past with the present, inviting us all, regardless of our beliefs, to consider how historical events shape our lives and cultures today.
Thus, between July 6 and 27, 2023, as we observe or share with friends from the Jewish community, let us remember the meaning and richness of Bein Hametzarim and its mourning customs. It is an ancestral legacy that remains alive in the collective memory and a testimony to the strength of the human spirit.