Many people are not properly familiar with the halachos of zecher l’churban which apply today even though the bais hamikdosh was destroyed thousands of years ago. The Shulchan Aruch says a yira shomayim should “worry” about the destruction of the bais hamikdosh, and whoever mourns over the churban will merit seeing it rebuilt. Although it is not possible to understand what we lost when the bais hamikdosh was destroyed, since the kedusha at that time was so great, we are still obligated to mourn over its loss. Each generation that the bais hamikdosh is not re-built is as if we destroyed it.  

One has to remember that aveilus over the churban applies all year (by doing zecher l’churban), and not just during the three weeks. 

Al Naros Bavel 

As a remembrance of the churban the poskim write that one should recite al naros bavel before bentching during the week, on days that tachnun is recited. The reason for saying this tefilla is to worry about the churban each seuda that one washes. The minhag seems to be that people are careful to say al naros bavel during the nine days, but do not say it the rest of the year. It is unclear what the basis for this custom is. 

Compiled by Rabbi Moishe Dovid Lebovits who can be reached at[email protected]

Reviewed by Rabbi Ben-zion Schiffenbauer Shlita

All Piskei Harav Yisrael Belsky Shlita are Reviewed by Harav Yisrael Belsky Shlita