Δαφνη Ευτυχια Αρθουρος

"There is a deep wisdom in the way the Jewish calendar unfolds. Our festivals and fast days are waypoints along the journey we travel each year. 17 Tamuz marks the beginning of the descent toward Tisha b'Av. At Tisha b'Av, we mark the beginning of the ascent toward the Days of Awe.

"In Hasidic tradition there's the idea that often in order to rise, one first has to fall. Yeridah tzorech aliyah: one has to go down in order to be able to go up. Descent for the sake of ascent . This drama plays itself out in a variety of places in Torah -- for instance, in the Joseph story, in which 'descent for the sake of ascent' is a recurring motif. The downs are necessary precursors to the ups.

[...]

"It can be tempting to want to paper over the places that hurt. To look on the bright side, to put on a happy face, to focus on the positive. I do these things all of the time. But 17 Tammuz and the weeks which follow are an opportunity to let ourselves experience moments of descent, together."

-- Rabbi Rachel Barenblat (velveteenrabbi), 2014-07-09

[To my friends observing Tzom Tammuz, may you have an easy fast.]