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I learn with my aunt who is not religious and I wanted to learn tonight about the connection between the report of the spies and Tisha ‘ B av. I am afraid though that she might think that C’V Hashem is vengeful in that it is a “Day for Crying” for all time. How can I explain this without making her think this or what can I respond if she does. I have my usual responses, but might need some backup. Thanks
rednes va (new signature?)
Tell her that Hashem destroyed the Beis Hamikdash bacause of sin’as chinam etc. but the reason he chose that day specifically was to remind us of our mistakes in order that we remember to better ourselves, because that is the purpose of galus.
In general I think this is the approach to be taken with such midrashim, they are not said so much as to tell us historical facts as they are to give us a perspective on our current situation. It’s almost as if the chachamim are giving us mussar, saying “Look, you cried then, and it’s no wonder you’re still crying now, you still haven’t bettered yourselves!”
You must explain to her that we just barely understand Hashems middos, and that His ways are perfect. His Nekama is truth. Our nekama can be good, or bad. If you don’t, there are more than enough references for the question to return. As in Kel nekamos Hashem, and esh ochlah, Kel kana, and Nekom le’eninu nimas dam avadecha hashafuch. Hatzlocho.
…and, don’t mistranslate! Ledoros does not mean for all time, ultimately it will be a yom tov. Ledoros means for generations, and give over the idea that it is every generation’s failure if the mikdash is not rebuilt in that generation, it is cause for crying, until one generation is zoche to undo the tragedy.
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