For those of you who will in Israel on the 9^th of Av, (beginning on the evening of July 19^th and continuing for 24 hours), you might want to know how this unique holiday will be observed in the land of Israel. Perhaps the most prominent observance of the holiday can be noticed in Jerusalem where countless congregations begin their evening prayers at the Haas promenade in southern Jerusalem. From this unique location, you can see the old city, the Ottoman walls built in the mid 16^th century, and a faint outline of the city of David created by King David and his son, King Solomon close to three thousand years ago. From this location, you will also be able to see remnants of the second temple built by Herod approximately two thousand years ago. The view, especially at night is breathtaking, dramatic and full of hope.

On the 9^th of Av Jews observe the anniversaries of the destruction of the first and second temple, both of which resulted in exile, destruction and massive loss of life. It is one of the saddest days on the Jewish calendar. It is not surprising then, that congregations like to go to the Haas promenade to look at the ancient city of Jerusalem and contemplate these terrible moments of destruction. As we gaze upon the flickering lights of the old city and the new city of Jerusalem

Growing up in the United States I thought that pilgrims planted corn and hunted turkey; today I realize that all of us can become spiritual pilgrims on a religious voyage. Let me explain.

Before the second temple was destroyed in the year 70 CE, Jews used to journey from their homes in the Judean hills, Jerusalem and the Galilee to the temple in Jerusalem. They came to the beit hamikdash to perform important religious sacrifices, offerings to God that gave them the distinct feeling that they were in the presence of the shechinah, the Divine Presence. Our ancestors, who came primarily on the pilgrimage festivals, Pesach, Shavuot and Sukkot, spent weeks and sometimes months in preparation for their journey to Jerusalem and then back home. Josephus, the well-known Jewish historian of the ancient world, estimated that 2.5 million pilgrims gathered in the city on Pesach, while early rabbinic texts estimate that there were 16 million. Although many scholars feel these numbers are greatly exaggerated (they estimate 180,000), it is clear that our ancestors were drawn to Jerusalem for religious and spiritual reasons. Today, what remains of that magnificent temple is the Western Wall.

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