בנים גדלתי

  There is a great sense of solemnity surrounding our observances during these nine days, culminating with our deep expression of mourning for our Churban Hamikdash on Tisha B'av. Many repeatedly ask me, "Why is it necessary to observe Tisha B'av in such a mournful way, when thank G-D we are blessed with our glorious Jewish state of Israel?"

  The question has much merit, but we must realize that the Jews are people that "remembers", and are always cognizant that our present and surely our future is greatly dependent upon our profound זכרון of the past. 

  I sense that if we mourn the destruction of our Mikdash, we will learn how to rejoice for all of our present Blessings. 

   These are times that we need not only focus on our own special needs , but more so to focus outward on the needs of others.

   I hear the words of Billam, that are so true today, as they were yesteryear, "הן עם לבדד ישכן, we are a nation that dwells alone." Realizing this truism, makes greater demands upon us to be aware of our responsibilities as a K'lal.

    Our Navi Yeshayah bemoans the tragedy of the Churban  but in a dialectic sense he is also the great 

espouser of Nechamah for the Jewish People. 

   In fact, the Abarbanel states that the  sefer Yeshayah has the most prophecies of comfort and of the future redemption. He says that the name ישעיה is taken from the word  ישועה, salvation, for Yeshayah prophesied about our future salvation.

    As I read Yeshayah, I begin to realize that his prophecies had a very important goal - to bring man to his ultimate purpose and potential.

  This was evident when He stated in his vision, 

           בנים גדלתי ורוממתי והם פשעו בי

" Children I have reared and brought up and they have rebelled against me."

  Yeshayah is bemoaning and expressing remorse that 

G-D'S children have turned against Him. To achieve the true salvation, he is encouraging, עם ישראל to once again turn towards Hashem in Teshuvah. To once again become the true and loyal children of Hashem. 

    This is what the vision of Yeshayah is all about. A vision that expresses itself as a directive -  for the people, to achieve their  great  potential they must once again become the true and loyal בנים להי. 

    Though it is obvious that the Navi is referring to the 

G-D /Man  relationship, is it possible that when he says בנים

 גדלתי he is  also referring to the Parent-Child relationship?

     I am observing more and more that parents are busy in so many ways , especially in their financial needs. Though it is understandable why they are doing so,  the result is,very often, children are the forgotten ones in the process.  This is not a condemnation of parenthood, it is only an observation that will encourage all of us to be more attentive to our children, and even more so to try to give our children more of our time and to try to arrange time to sit and study with them and yes, even to play with them.  Children need attention, and for them, their greatest desire is to receive the attention of their parents  and grandparents. 

     Chazal says: לא חרבה ירושלים אלא בשביל שביטלו בה תנוקות של בית רבן, " Jerusalem was destroyed for no other reason that they neglected the education of school children". 

   Our children are our "bejeweled crowns" and our future, and as we cherish them, and I am sure we do, let us put our priorities into focus and arrange more time to their needs.  In doing we can say that בנים גדלתי and they are our glowing future. 

   With this in mind, we will turn our Avelus of Tisha B'av into a Yom Shel Simcha, for remember it was on Tisha B'av that our Mashiach was born.

  Have an easy and meaningful fast.