According to the 91传媒 calendar, the next three weeks are an intense period of mourning; a duration of time that marks the breaching of the walls of Jerusalem to the eventual destruction of the Temple. The time is described as 鈥渂etween the straits.鈥�
The phrase 鈥渋n the narrow places鈥� comes from Lamentations 1:3. It鈥檚 a direct description of the People of Judah, now exiled, pursued even in the narrowest of places. When one hides between the straits, there is no running, no escape. Lamentations sheds light on the reality our people faced: the impossibility of hiding or keeping Jerusalem intact.
Spiritually, 鈥渂etween the straits鈥� remains ever applicable. For anyone experiencing deep distress, mourning or despair, it often feels as if one cannot hide from their grief. There is no running away. There is a forced confrontation between the mourner and what they have lost.
Dr. Erica Brown, in her book In the Narrow Places; Daily Inspiration for the Three Weeks, explains: 鈥淒uring 聽the Three Weeks and Tisha B鈥橝v, we do not only bemoan a recurring past鈥�.when we sit on the floor and follow the haunting melody of Eikha, we pause at the second-to-last verse 鈥楾urn us to You, O Lord, and we shall be turned; renew our days as of old鈥� (Lam. 5:21). We close with a plea 鈥� take us back. Reconcile.鈥� She reminds us of our eternal obligation and opportunity to reconcile our relationship with God, Israel, and the 91传媒 people.
For those who remain in narrow straits of mourning, the idea of 鈥渢urning鈥� briefly lifts the blindfold. It鈥檚 an instruction to turn towards a renewed connection and a reminder that one can reconcile a relationship, even with the deceased. A prayer to step out of narrow straits into an engaged, breathing rhythm between our soul and the soul of our loved one. Not hiding from grief but instead, maintaining a loving tie to the deceased, turning towards the future with the memory of the deceased inspiring each step. Turning is a spiritual decision to become reengaged in the world of the living.
May this narrow strait of time encourage us to turn鈥攖oward faith and toward life.
Shabbat Shalom
Rabbi Nicole Guzik is senior rabbi at Sinai Temple. She can be reached at her Facebook page at or on Instagram . For more writings, visit Rabbi Guzik鈥檚 from Sinai Temple鈥檚 website.
