The 10th of Tevet (this year, December 25, 2020) is observed as a day of fasting for many, mourning and repentance. This year it occurs on a Friday, and the day leads right into Shabbat, which in itself is an interesting lesson in embracing the roller coaster of life, and learning how to go from mourning to celebration all within the same short period of time, because indeed life includes both aspects at all times. Many of you may be familiar with the Jewish custom in which the groom steps on a glass during the Jewish wedding ceremony under he chuppa. This custom is all about remembering Jerusalem and the falling of the Holy Temple, something that is deeply distressing, (or more realistically should be!) at one of he most joyful times.
Why is the Tenth of Tevet of day of mourning? Well, a mere 2.000 years ago, on the 10th day of the Jewish month of Tevet, in the year 425 BCE, the armies of the Babylonian emperor Nebuchadnezzar laid siege to Jerusalem. This was the beginning of the chain of events that culminated with the destruction of the First Holy Temple in Jerusalem (The Beit HaMikdash) and the subsequent exiles of the Jewish People from their land. As you may know, that exile scattered Jews around the world, where they both flourished and suffered greatly, but that is of course a whole megillah that I won't go into right now.