On this saddest of days…..take a good long sigh…..close your eyes and imagine
the Holy Temple standing before you. Now see the Holy Temple in flames…….see Jerusalem ravaged and destroyed………. Hear the screams and cries of our people carried into exile….. Feel what it means to be distraught….broken-hearted and alone.... Feel yourself searching for God’s comfort and guidance. Take another long sigh….know that pain and grief have existed in every generation……. Recognize the terrible devastation, violence and suffering that fill our world today……. Feel the pain that comes with this recognition….. Allow yourself to cry…….cry for the World, cry for Israel….cry for family and friends……and cry for yourself….. Through bitter, salty tears hear yourself calling out to God…. “Where are You? Where have You gone?” Slowly allow the tears to soften and purify your heart…returning you to God …..and God to you… Feel how the flow of tears softens us and prepares the ground to receive the seeds for new life………. Sense new life slowly emerging from the ashes of destruction. Now hear yourself saying a prayer for the world…..and for yourself if you wish... See your prayers being answered…… When you feel ready…..slowly open your eyes.
- comfort [4]
- destruction [5]
- imagery [6]
- Jerusalem Temple [7]
- Jewish healing [8]
- spiritual growth [9]
- suffering [10]
- tears [11]
- Tisha b’Av [12]