‘Between the Straits’—an evolving perspective on the 17th of Tammuz and the ‘3 Weeks’

The traditional Jewish mourning period known as “the Three Weeks” began last week on the 17th of the Hebrew month of Tammuz, a minor fast day in the Jewish calendar in which traditionally no eating or drinking is permitted from the sunrise until sunset.

Growing up, I was unaware of this date on the Jewish calendar or its associations.

According to Jewish tradition, who’s earliest rabbinic citing is Lamentations Rabbah 1.29, a fourth century Midrash which speaks to the catastrophes which occurred with the date of 17 Tammuz and that “all her oppressors have overtaken her within the straits.”

These catastrophes include the biblical recollection of the breaking of the first set of tablets at Sinai and the fact that sacrifices could not be offered in the First Temple during the siege of Jerusalem. Prior to the destruction of the Second Temple, the walls of Jerusalem were breached, Torah scrolls were burnt and idolatrous images were placed in the Sanctuary of the Holy Temple.

This period of mourning continues with growing intensity through the days before its culmination on Tisha B’Av. Many Jewish communities come together to pray and mourn the tragedies that befell the Jewish people throughout history on this day, particularly the destruction of the two temples in 586 BCE and 70 CE.

For some moderns, especially the early Reform Jews informed by the enlightened approach of 19th century German Jews, the idea of mourning the destruction of the First and Second Temples while looking toward its possible rebuilding did not sit well, at all.

According to Rabbi Lawrence Hoffman, “the founders of the early Reform movement, many of whom were Talmudic scholars, didn’t consider the destruction of the temple to be a disaster, because it ended the temple cult and signaled an evolution of the Jewish people to a higher purpose…They were 19th century people; they were in love with Darwin…who believed the Jews had a mission to spread God’s word everywhere on earth, so they saw the destruction of the temple as God’s hand at work.”

However one may approach these days, a meaningful practice that resonates with me is the opportunity to reflect and contemplate personally as well as communally about the period “between the straits.” If the 9th of Av is the culmination of devastation (either literally or figuratively), then we have a built-in opportunity to do serious work long before the following month of Elul. Many more Jews may be familiar with Elul, the month preceding Tishrei, and the Head of the Year or Rosh HaShanah. We engage in “soul accounting” or “cheshbon hanefesh” each day.

Perhaps we should take a serious and conscious look at our lives and our interactions with others now. If there has been a perceived hurt, challenge, or difficulty, now is the time to face devastation in our lives, head on. By doing so, we can truly embrace the comfort that is offered during the following weeks of consolation and prepare to become our highest selves during the Days of Awe.