Why Josh Can't Be Left Alone

So much of Tisha B'Av focuses on tragedy and failure, pain and suffering, sin and betrayal. But when I looked around today, I saw just the opposite. I don't live in the most devout neighborhood. In fact, it is one of those Modern Orthodox nieghborhoods that is usually at the butt of many frum jokes. But I was impressed today. I davened at three different shuls, and all three places were packed and the mood was appropriately somber. It seemed as though a high amount of people had taken the day off, and, more importantly, were putting it to spiritual purposes. Not quite what you'd expect from the "modern" world - not just kvetching about not eating while catching up on some chores.

But my point isn't just to rehash stereotypes. As we read about how far the Jewish people have fallen in history, things seem hopeless. But looking around, I see such a spiritual renassaince that I feel that Gd must be on the verge of accepting our communal repentance.

In fact, this is not just an observation you might make on Tisha B'Av. Many people note our generations' unmatched levels of Torah learning and return to observance. You'd think the Messiah must be just around the corner.

But as you read through the Kinnos of Tisha B'Av, you can't help but be reminded of all of the immorality and infidelity that continues in all types of Jewish communities.

So are we at the lowest rung, and about to force the Messiah out of desperation? Or are we just one rung short of proving our devotion to Gd and earning our redemption? Is part of our generation perfect, held back only by a committed core of evildoers? Or does every one of our hearts spend part of the day on Gd's team, even as the other half plots its own coup?

What is Gd waiting for?

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As I observed such an inspiring community around me today, I couldn't help but wonder why it is that we can't come together even once during the year in prayer. There are 7 orthodox services in my neighborhood, separated by many things, including geography. But as we mourn the divisions that caused the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem, why not take this opportunity to unite our prayers? For one day a year, could we not put aside our differences, realizing that Gd wants our unified prayers more than He cares about whether they are too fast or too slow?

With so many people already making Tisha B'Av one of the few weekday appearances at synagogue, it is the perfect day to prove that we have overcome the differences that created the mournful day. Just Tisha B'Av night, to hold one service for the entire community. I think the message that every particpant would get would be much stronger than any affiliation with a certain rabbi. The service is all the same, and so is the goal. I'm curious if there are any communities out there that do find opportunities to unite (in regular prayer, not picnics or Tehillim).

Dropping our differences to beseech Gd's mercy - I could think of no greater appeal to turn Gd's tears into the speedy rebuilding of His dwelling place amongst the Jewish people and the entire world in Jerusalem.