Yesterday was the 3rd and last sabbath of rebuke leading up to Tisha B'Av. The reading was from Isaiah. In the Bible the three books are arranged chronologically; Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel. But in the Talmud, they are arranged differently; Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Isaiah. Why is this? The rabbis said that it was because Jeremiah was full of pure rebuke, while Ezekiel was a mix of rebuke and consolation, while Isaiah was almost entirely filled with consolations.
But Isaiah begins with some of the harshest words that God ever sent a prophet to speak to Israel. Why should a book that is almost entirely filled with consoling words, start with this rebuke? Maimonides said that this was because the first step towards repentance was to recognize that you have done wrong. Only then can you repent and receive words of consolation from God.
Tomorrow night begins Tisha B'Av where we remember the destruction of the two Temples and many other tragedies that have befallen Israel on this day. It is tradition to read the book of Lamentations on this night while seated on the floor. It is also begins a day of fasting.
As we enter this commemoration, let us to stock of our failures and repent and receive the consolations of Hashem.
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