Tisha B'Av: A Time to Weepഉദാഹരണം

Think About It

1. It has been said that “tears are the sweat of the soul.” What we cry about tells us what we really care about. What brings tears to your eyes? What has moved you to tears most recently?
2. Why do you think that the rabbis set aside a day for crying and mourning tragedies? What impact might this posture of mourning have on a soul’s ability to understand, embrace, and have peace with the decrees of God throughout the year?
3. When Rabbi Akiva saw the destruction of the Temple, he was able to see the good in it. What good can you find looking back on something that seemed bad at the time in your past?
4. Like many of us, there are undoubtedly situations in your life that upset you. Which of those situations are worthy of tears, and what other things, ultimately, didn’t really matter? If it’s helpful, make a list to see where you might be spending time worrying and fretting over things that don’t matter in the end.
5. Tisha B’Av is a day of mourning, but also a day of self-reflection. As we witness tragedies and atrocities around the world, what are the things that you mourn the most? What are ways that we as individuals, communities, and as a society can change for the better?
6. The origin of Tisha B’Av is the sin of the spies, which triggered a huge loss of faith among the children of Israel. What faithless voices of doom are you tempted to heed in your life? What areas of your life are challenging your faith right now? How might you increase your faith and trust in God in this area?

Apply It

1. THINK OF A PLACE WHERE YOU HAVE FELT GOD'S PRESENCE MOST STRONGLY. Now imagine that place was destroyed and you could never go there again. Take a moment to imagine how you might mourn the loss of that special place.
2. CRY OUT TO GOD WITH TEARS THAT COUNT! See God as your loving Father and don’t be shy about pouring out your heart to Him, telling Him your troubles, concerns, and sorrows. Conclude by asking for and thanking God for His assistance.
3. ERRORS IN JUDGEMENT LIKE THE SIN OF THE FAITHLESS SPIES OFTEN COME FROM FEAR. Next time a challenging situation arises, resolve to choose faith over fear. Choose a Bible verse, such as Joshua 1:9, Psalm 23:4, Psalm 27:1, or Isaiah 40:30, and memorize it for those situations.
4. APPRECIATE ALL THAT YOU HAVE IN YOUR LIFE RIGHT NOW. This week, every night before you go to sleep, think of three things that you were thankful for during that day.
5. READ ECCLESIASTES 3:1–8. How would you describe the time of life that you are in right now? How does knowing that God has set a “time for everything” help or encourage you?
6. THINK OF THE ONE THING THAT YOU CAN DO TO MAKE YOUR COMMUNITY A BETTER PLACE, SPECIFICALLY TO HELP THOSE WHO SUFFER AND MOURN. Maybe it’s serving in the local food pantry, providing help to a family who has experienced great loss, or helping an elderly neighbor who has no one to look after him or her. Inspired by Tisha B’Av, you can be a beacon of hope for someone who needs to see God respond to his or her mourning with His love through you.