Just Cry For Joy | Rabbi Haggai Lundin | Beit Midrash

Family and Society
Understanding Circumstances

קטגוריה משנית

The month of Tamuz has always been a time for whining. From the time of the Babylonians when the statue "Tamuz" was worshipped in a ritual that included tearful crying, to the present, when the month of Tamuz ends the school year and invites the opportunity to whine about the "state of youth" and "what will be the end in our country?"

At this time of year, I participate in dozens of graduation ceremonies in religious and traditional schools throughout the country. I meet with the teaching staff and students – starting from kindergarten, continuing through elementary schools, high schools, preparatory army programs, yeshivot, midrashot and academic institutions – and I also feel like crying, crying for joy!

Hundreds of new kindergartens are opening up; schools are endlessly expanding Torah classes; there is an unbelievable demand for high school yeshivot and ulpanot; insane percentages of graduating combat soldiers and officers from pre-military preparatory programs; yeshivot and midrashot that had to close registration for the first year after three-digit numbers (!) of students had been accepted and there is simply no more room; and Batei Midrash [religious study halls] in academic institutions that are sprouting like mushrooms after the rain. In Elul, we will know more precise numbers, but in my estimation, 2024 is going to be the biggest and best year in all of these institutional systems.

Crying can be used as a defense against threats. When we cut up an onion, for example, our eyes fill with tears to repel the pungent fumes. Leave the elders marching in hate demonstrations; ignore those waving pride flags; don't spend time watching social networks of people having a bad time who want everyone else to have it bad. They are all people of the past, virtual dust from which nothing will remain. Listen to what’s going on in real life, a great light is growing. The month of Tamuz is the month in which the days are getting longer; light prevails in the world, and the light will succeed. It's already winning.

Have a great month!

The bad will pass.

The good will prevail.

With God's help