Ask Haviv Anything: Episode 33 Summary – "Thoughts for Tisha B’Av - We Live in History"

Host: Haviv Rettig Gur
Release Date: August 3, 2025

Introduction to Tisha B’Av

In Episode 33 of "Ask Haviv Anything," host Haviv Rettig Gur delves into the profound significance of Tisha B’Av, the ninth day of the month of Av on the Jewish calendar. Recognized as a fast day and a day of mourning, Tisha B’Av commemorates numerous tragedies that have befallen the Jewish people throughout history. Haviv sets the stage by explaining that the sages of the Talmud designated this single day to encapsulate multiple calamities, ensuring that Jews do not have to remember each tragedy individually throughout the year.

"[T]his is a day that commemorates a great many tragedies that happened to the Jews... they wanted us to think of them as part of a continuum." (00:04)

Unified Continuum of Jewish Tragedy

Haviv emphasizes that Tisha B’Av serves as a unified continuum of Jewish history, intertwining events such as the destruction of the First and Second Temples, the Babylonian exile, and the expulsion from Spain. This consolidation fosters a singular, cohesive memory within Jewish culture, highlighting a lineage of adversity that binds the community together.

"Jews as a whole have a thread of tragedy that... forms a kind of single, unified memory." (00:04)

Rabbinic Conception of History

A central theme of the episode is the rabbinic conception of history and its application to contemporary times. Haviv posits that Tisha B’Av offers a window into how the sages of the Talmud perceived and interpreted historical events, particularly in moments of crisis and upheaval.

"This is going to be a podcast about how Tisha B'Av... is a window into the rabbinic conception of history." (00:04)

He draws parallels between ancient tragedies and current global challenges, including ongoing wars and societal complexities, suggesting that the sages' insights remain relevant in navigating today's tumultuous landscape.

"We are at a pivot of history. We have lived through a very trying and complex time." (00:04)

The Destruction of the Temples and Communal Responsibility

Haviv references the Jerusalem Talmud, Tractate Yoma, where the sages discuss the causes behind the destruction of the Temples. They conclude that each generation bears responsibility for the Temple’s destruction due to unaddressed sins, even generations long after the actual events.

"The generation in which it has not been restored... is the generation that committed the sin for which the Temple was originally destroyed." (00:04)

This reflects a deep moral responsibility, portraying the tragedies not as isolated incidents but as ongoing consequences of communal failings.

Echoes of the Past in the Present

Citing William Faulkner, Haviv underscores the idea that the past is never truly past. He asserts that understanding historical events is crucial for comprehending current identities and societal structures.

"The past is never dead. It isn't even past. We live inside it." (00:04)

He discusses how historical events like the pogroms of the 1880s and the subsequent exodus profoundly shaped the Jewish diaspora, leading to significant cultural and linguistic shifts.

"We very much live in our past. That's still the world." (00:04)

Mourning Rituals and the Path to Repair

Tisha B’Av is portrayed not merely as a day of mourning but as a proactive reflection aimed at understanding and initiating repair (tikkun). Haviv explains that the rituals—such as reading lamentations and enacting mourning practices—are designed to provoke deep contemplation on the present state of the world and the steps needed for restoration.

"It is mourning that is, at its core, a deep reflection on the world as it is and what makes it so." (00:04)

This approach transforms mourning into the beginning of repair, laying the foundation for future redemption and healing.

The Three Great Sins and Senseless Hatred

Delving into the causes of historical destructions, Haviv outlines the three great sins identified by the sages: idolatry, sexual immorality, and murder. These sins are deemed so severe that one must be willing to sacrifice their life rather than commit them.

"These are the three great sins for which a Jew is required to be willing to die in order to avoid committing." (00:04)

Additionally, he explores the concept of senseless hatred (Sinat Chinam), a pivotal factor in the destruction of the Second Temple. Haviv discusses scholarly debates on whether this refers to hatred without cause or hatred without constructive purpose.

"Senseless hatred is hatred toward anyone who is not like you." (00:04)

Talmudic Story: Kumtsa and Bel Kamsa

To illustrate the destructive power of senseless hatred, Haviv recounts a story from the Talmud (Gitin, page 55) about two men, Kumtsa and Bel Kamsa. A mix-up leads to mutual enmity and public shaming, which escalates to rebellion and ultimately the Roman destruction of Jerusalem.

"Small things, small things that happen to us in our day to day lives... can lead to the destruction." (00:04)

This narrative underscores how minor interpersonal conflicts can accumulate, leading to large-scale societal collapse.

Systemic Failures and Moral Foundations

Haviv extends the discussion to systemic and cultural failures, highlighting how petty abuses and systemic hatred can undermine the moral fabric of society. He warns that even a house filled with Torah and scholarship can crumble without the foundational elements of respect and dignity.

"A house built on hatred, even if it is a house full of wisdom, cannot stand." (00:04)

Hope Through Mourning and Repair

Despite the grim outlook, Haviv conveys a message of hope. The sages teach that mourning for Jerusalem merits witnessing its joy, not in a distant messianic future, but in the present act of contemplation and repair.

"Whoever mourns for Jerusalem merits and sees in her joy." (00:04)

This intertwines mourning with the initiation of tikkun, suggesting that recognizing and addressing failures leads to systemic repair and eventual universal redemption.

Contemporary Implications and Redemption

Haviv connects these ancient teachings to modern societal issues, such as the destabilization of democracies and ongoing conflicts like the Israeli-Palestinian situation. He advocates for a deep understanding of history and empathy towards different communities as the first steps toward meaningful repair and redemption.

"Understanding the very act of observing it seriously, deeply, as a human phenomenon, is already the laying of a stepping stone, amending a restoration on the path to redemption." (00:04)

Conclusion: Learning History to Fix the Future

In his closing remarks, Haviv reinforces the sages' philosophy that learning and understanding history is essential for preventing future collapses and fostering a path toward redemption. By engaging in the mourning and reflection prescribed by Tisha B’Av, individuals contribute to the broader process of societal repair.

"Learn history and you begin to fix the future. That's basically the theory of history of the sages of the Talmud." (00:04)

Notable Quotes:

• "The past is never dead. It isn't even past. We live inside it." – William Faulkner (as referenced) (00:04)
• "Whoever mourns for Jerusalem merits and sees in her joy." (00:04)
• "Learn history and you begin to fix the future." (00:04)

Haviv Rettig Gur’s contemplative episode offers listeners a deep and insightful exploration of Tisha B’Av, intertwining historical analysis with contemporary relevance. By bridging ancient wisdom with modern challenges, the episode encourages a proactive approach to mourning, viewing it as a catalyst for repair and redemption in both personal and societal contexts.