Dr. Chaim Y. Botwinick
This week, we are observing Tisha B’Av – a sad and solemn day of fasting and mourning in memory of
the destruction of our holy Beit HaMikdash
The profound sadness, deep pain and anguish of Tisha B’Av is difficult to bare under normal
circumstances. It is even more so today when it is magnified by the harsh significance of today’s total
disregard and collapse of achdut bnai yisrael and the existential misfortunes which Israel has
experienced over the past several years.
One has only to observe the proliferation of articles, divrei torah, lectures and posts on this topic to truly
understand the profound significance of these realities – commemorating the tragedy of Tisha B’Av and
today’s total lack and disregard for achdut. It is also occurring at a time when Israel is in great peril and
in the midst of an existential nuclear threat by Tehran and its proxies, including Hezbollah.
As I reflect on the juxtaposition of Tisha B’av, the lack of achdut and the recent hostilities between
Israel, Iran and its proxies, I tremble at the thought that maybe there might be some sort of causal
relationship between these horrifying events.
I have always been taught to never automatically assume causal relationships between events in Jewish
history unless specifically indicated by meforshim and/or talmudic or Rabbinic commentators.
Tragedies befall a people because it is the will of HaShem. Plain and simple. Having said that, it is also
well known and an accepted notion that the destruction of the two Batei Mikdash in Jerusalem were
first the result of avodah zara and immorality and then sinat chinam – baseless hatred between our
people. This well-accepted belief is documented and codified in the writings of our great sages.
There are many who sincerely believe that there may be causal relationships between recent tragedies
in Israel and internal sinat chinam.
Attributing the horrific October 7th massacre to anything more profound then a terrible unprecedented
lapse in IDF vigilance and security may be inaccurate or incorrect. Yes, there are reasons or causes for
this tragedy, but they are far beyond our understanding or human comprehension. These events are
ordained and determined singularly b’yad HaShem.
The one observation I do posit however is when I compare the events and zeitgeist leading up
to Tisha B’Av, and the current conflict with Iran and the October 7 th bloodbath. In fact, I can’t help but
think about certain aspects of each event with striking levels of causality.
As I just indicated, we learn that the causes for the destruction of the second Beit HaMikdash were
attributed to sinant chinam – the unadulterated and baseless hatred among and between our people
within the Jewish community. There are hundreds of commentaries and Judaic texts and sources which
validate and support this historical fact.
If we recall, the lack of achdut (unity) within our Jewish camp just prior to October 7th, was also very
evident and apparent.
It is curious to note that the events in Israel just prior to the October 7th tragedy were that of significant
social unrest, civil disobedience as well as significant consternation, fierce debate and hatred between
religious and (secular) non-religious members of the Israeli society. In fact, the matzav (situation) was so
tenuous and dangerous that many Israelis were fearful of a civil war breaking out. To be sure, the streets
of Jerusalem and Tel Aviv were spilling over with vile hatred and disgust between religious and secular
groups…and between those who agreed with the reform of Israel’s judicial system and those who were
vehemently against it, let alone the debate regarding the IDF mandatory draft conundrum of yeshiva
students.
Shortly afterward, Israel was in prep mode with the United States for an attack on Iran which resulted in
a series of missile and drone attacks against Israel.
The resulting death, destruction and psychological trauma inflicted on Israeli population centers during
that period of time were devastating and overwhelming. But, it was truly miraculous that it was not
worse.
Was this just a coincidence?
Friends, is it not curious that deadly violence and hatred in the streets and neighborhoods of Israel
occurred just prior to the October 7th tragedy? And is it not coincidental that within in a very short
period of time we were confronted with Iranian ballistic missiles and drone attacks.
I began to imagine that these scenes of hatred and violence between our people are in many ways
reminiscent of the hatred and sinat chinam which ultimately led to the destruction of the second Beit
HaMiKdash.
Again, I am not suggesting with any degree of certainty that these events led up to or caused the
October 7th surprise attack on our brothers and sisters in Israel. Having said that, it nevertheless does
present a very curious and coincidental scenario.
My take-away from this observation is that the lack of achdut – both prior to the October 7th tragedy
should be a subtle reminder to acheinu bnei yisarael that we should never ever take our achdut for
granted.
Although we do see and observe periods of achdut throughout history in our communities, they are
sporadic at best and are more often than not realized following as opposed to prior to communal
tragedy, crisis or catastrophe.
As I have written and blogged on numerous occasions, this “chicken and egg” phenomenon must teach
all of us that achdut may prevent tragedy. It should not be viewed only as a product, end result or
outcome of tragedy.
As we are about to observe Tisha B’Av, it is imperative that we constantly remind ourselves that achdut
never happens in a vacuum. It requires hard work, continuous perspective, introspection, due diligence
a deep love for acheinu and a conscious effort to ensure that we are united as one people, irrespective
of our religious, political philosophical or differences.
To this end, I humbly suggest that this Tisha B’Av mark the beginning of a new and renewed period
of achdut – one which enables us to respect each other, love each other, care for one another and
protect one another.
If there is any lesson we learned from the holocaust of October 7th and by extension from the spread
and proliferation of global anti-Semitism, and Jew hatred, as well as the existential war with Iran, it is
that we only have ourselves to depend upon through the will and good graces of HaShem.
The one observation I do posit is when comparing the events and zeitgeist leading up to Tisha B’Av, the
current conflict with Iran and the October 7 th bloodbath. In fact, I can’t help but think about certain
aspects of each event with striking levels of causality.
As I just indicated, we learn that the causes for the destruction of the second Beit HaMikdash were
attributed to sinant chinam – the unadulterated and baseless hatred among and between our people
within the Jewish community. There are hundreds of commentaries and Judaic texts and sources which
validate and support this historical fact and contention.
If we recall, the lack of achdut (unity) within our Jewish camp just prior to October 7th, was also very
evident and apparent.
It is curious to note that the events in Israel just prior to the October 7th tragedy were that of significant
social unrest, civil disobedience as well as significant consternation, fierce debate and hatred between
religious and (secular) non-religious members of the Israeli society. In fact, the matzav (situation) was so
tenuous and dangerous that many Israelis were fearful of a civil war breaking out. To be sure, the streets
of Jerusalem and Tel Aviv were spilling over with vile hatred and disgust between religious and secular
groups…and between those who agreed with the reform of Israel’s judicial system and those who were
vehemently against it, let alone the debate regarding the IDF mandatory draft conundrum of yeshiva
students
Conclusion
As we observe Tisha B’Av and recite Eicha, this week, we must be mindful of the all the tragedies we
confronted throughout our history. It is truly beyond belief that in spite of these tragedies, we survived,
we were resilient and we even flourished as a people.
The tragedies, which we faced and confronted throughout history as indicated, did not happen in a
vacuum. They were purposeful and over a period of time became an integral part of our lives.
On Tisha B’Av, we are reminded how fragile we are as a people and how in the blink of an eye, we can
end up paying a very dear price.
As we prepare ourselves for the Geula, maybe now is the time that we set aside our differences, and
focus only upon those realties which unite us as a people. These include increasing our mitzvot and acts
of chesed ben adam lchavero, and torah study.
Wishing all a meaningful Fast
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dr. Chaim Botwinick is a senior executive coach and an organizational consultant . He served as president
and CEO of the central agency for Jewish education in Baltimore and in Miami; in addition to head of
school and principal for several Jewish day schools and yeshivot. As an Influencer, he has published and
lectured extensively on topics relating to education, resource development, strategic planning and
leadership development. Dr. Botwinick is co-founder of LEV Consulting Associates and is the producer
and host of the Chinuch Horizons podcast series. He Author of “Think Excellence: Harnessing Your Power
to Succeed Beyond Greatness”, Brown Books, 2011
