The day of Tisha Be'Av has been set aside as a day of mourning for the Jewish nation. It represents a day when all sorts of calamities happened to the Jewish nation. Personally, it is most difficult to feel the sensitivity of the burning down of our Temple and our people to be sent into exile after 1937 years. This year, I felt the emotional pang of Tisha Be'Av.

I was watching the news on Sunday August 14, 2005. (Tisha Be'Av)  My eyes teared as I watched men, women and children being expelled from their homes.  I watched the men leave a home they built with tears in their eyes. I saw the women with tears of bewilderment. Lastly, I saw the child in his mother's arms crying. It was finally revealed to me, what our ancestors experienced 1937 years ago. The most astounding part is that it happened on Tisha Be'Av. "By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat and also wept, when we remembered Zion"(Tehilim 137:1).

There are people that say it's an invitation to peace. Each family is being compensated to start new lives. It's only a few thousand families. Politically, I am not involved with the inner workings of the government, therefore I can't express judgment. My function is to be sensitive to the emotional and physical changes concerning our brethren in Israel and pray for peace. "Love your Neighbor as you love yourself" (Vayikra 19:18)

The Father- Where will I live? How will I provide for my family? Will my wife and kids be ok? Where will I pray? What will become of the community we?ve built for almost 40 years? How can I be an effective emotional support to my wife and children?

The Mother- How will my kids adjust to new neighbors? Will they conform to new school settings?  How will I give moral support to my husband? What will be with my social activities?  How will I explain this situation to my children? How can I maintain peace in my new home with all the changes at hand?

Children- Why are mommy and daddy crying? We will be ok. G-d bless children, they are resilient. Everything is new to them. They have to move to a new house make new friends and adjust to new surroundings. The teenager is the main worry. The teenager if not dealt with properly can develop a cynical approach to life and this can have an adverse affect on his or her future.

The Soldier- I have to expel my own brother from his home? Do you think I want to do this? How can I show sympathy to my bothers whom I must take out of his home by force?

Collectively, how does this one family feel? Now multiply it by a few thousand. We don't understand politically what is happening. G-d almighty certainly has a plan for Israel. As a nation, we must turn to G-d almighty and beseech upon Him to put an end to this suffering and bring on the final redemption. With proper thought, we should concentrate on the Blessing in the Amidah. "The offspring of David may you speedily cause to flourish, and enhance his pride through your salvation, for we hope for your salvation all day long. Blessed are you, who causes the pride of salvation to flourish".