Written by Rabbi Norbert Weinberg    We are now in a very sad period of our calendar, which began with the Fast of Shiva Asar b'Tammuz, commemorating the time that a breach was made in the walls of Jerusalem. This day inaugurated the "Three Weeks", which culminate in the saddest day of the year, Tisha B'Av. Among other calamities, both of our Holy Temples were destroyed on that very same date.

But there are many rays of hope in these days. Our tradition teaches that Mashiach (our Messiah) will be – or already has been – born on this day. We also believe that Tisha B'Av will be turned into a day of joy and festivities, as it was in the time between the two Temples.

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