Tisha B'av

Intro: Why Cry on Tisha B'Av?

All the physical suffering and spiritual emptiness in our long history, stems from the destruction of the Temple. (Rav Aaron Kotler, Mishnas Aaron)

Every mo’ed is a unique vehicle for serving Hashem at its time, and grants us the potential to transform ourselves. Pesach has the matzos and the Hagada; Sukkos, the four minim and the Sukkah, etc. On the 9th of Av, it's through our heart-felt crying over our remaining in exile that we achieve the purpose of the day. (Rav Shimshon Pinkus)

Also, our lack of mourning for the state of Yerushalayim and the Beis HaMikdash is as much a cause of the continuation of the exile as the sins that brought it about! (Yaavetz Siddur)

The Three Reasons it's Hard to Cry About the Churban

1. We Don't Take it to Heart (Rav Aaron Kotler):
Sincere emotions are a product of deep thought. The Torah instructs us to share the burdens of our fellow Jews. (Pirke Avos) As Rabbi Green observes, we are reluctant to allow the suffering of others into our hearts because we are afraid of being overwhelmed by the pain we know is out there.

What to do about it:
Have the courage and take the time to face the suffering of others, at least on Tisha B’Av (in truth, it's a constant obligation). Everyone knows fellow Jews who are suffering physically and others who are estranged from the gift of Torah life. Think about them and link their troubles with the Churban.

2. We're Overly Involved with the Physical (Rav Shlomo Brevda):
How are we going be moved about the pain of others, if we are pre-occupied with ourselves? Our obsession with our personal physical and emotional comfort puts a mehitzah between us and the outside world.

What to do about it:
Instead of bemoaning our physical discomforts on Tisha B’Av, seize the opportunity of the day's separation from the physical to care about the loss of our Holy Temple.

3. We are Not Seeking Spiritual Greatness (Rav Aaron Kotler):
Despite our aggressive efforts for our physical well-being (this is not intended as a criticism of fulfilling the mitzvah of guarding our nefesh), we are quite content to be average spiritually. Without yearning for great levels of Yiras Shamayim and Torah wisdom, we won't feel the loss of the tremendous spiritual advancement provided by witnessing the miraculous, awe-inspiring avodah in the Beis HaMikdash. (Tos, Baba Basra)

What to do about it:
Realize how short life is and how we will cry bitter tears over our failure to live up to our potential in avodas Hashem. Then we will yearn for the precious return of the Divine Presence to the Beis HaMikdash quickly in our days, amen.