Jewish Holidays - 3 Weeks (21 Days) of National Mourning

I know this isn’t on the major calendar of Jewish holidays, but it’s hard not to mention it. Starting on the 16th, the Jewish nation enters into a time of mourning.  Why are they mourning for three weeks?  Let me tell you why.

For us to understand this time of mourning, we need to understand their view of their Holy Temple.  You may have a decent understanding of what the Temple in Jerusalem meant to the Jewish people.  We will never fully understand it though.  You see, it served as the connection between heaven and earth for over 800 years.  It was THE place that connected man and God.  Many of their holidays required them to visit this Temple to celebrate.  It was the place where God’s presence manifested more than any other, making it the holiest site in the world.

The first Temple was built by King Solomon, and it was known as Solomon’s Temple. It held the Ark of the Covenant and was the place to worship and bring your offerings to God. This Temple was destroyed in 586BC by Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon.

The second Temple started to be reconstructed in 538BC by Zerubbabel, the leader of the tribe of Judah, and Joshua, the high priest.  It was finally finished in 515BC.  This is the Temple we read about in the Gospels.  This Temple, and much of Jerusalem, was destroyed in 70AD by Rome, and has yet to be rebuilt.

The place where the Temple was originally built is on the site we call, the Temple Mount.  Today, the Dome of the Rock shrine, a Muslim shrine, is on the Temple Mount, which is why the Jews and Muslims fight over that place.

Now, getting back to the mourning time.  This three weeks is designated as time of mourning over the destruction of the second Holy Temple and the physical exile and spiritual displacement they are still experiencing.  During this time, they are not allowed to conduct weddings, play musical instruments, listen to music, wear new clothing, get a haircut, or shave.

During this time, they spend extra time examining the state of the world and what are some things they can do to improve it, through good deeds and kindness.  They spend more time reading the Torah, giving to charity, and fasting.

Take a little time and think about this.  For almost 2000 years, the Jewish nation has been mourning over the loss of a building.  A building that was once important but was never meant to stay that way. They misinterpreted their scripture and are now focused on the wrong thing until His second coming.

They are so focused on that building that they have been remaking items that was once in there so they can go in there again when it is rebuilt, if it is ever rebuilt.

We too can get caught in this trap if we aren’t careful.  If we aren’t focused on the right thing (aka Jesus), other things will become more important to us.  How long has it been since you examined your life and what’s important to you?  Is there anything that you hold higher, or more dear, than Jesus?  If so, correct it now!