By: Jisrael Yitzchak Rosenfeld
On Tisha B’Av, many people recite the Kinah (lament):
“Weep, Zion and her cities, like a woman in labor.”
Regarding this Kinah, the Berdichever Rebbe zt”l writes:
“When a woman goes into labor, she usually experiences terrible and intense pain.
But afterward—
as soon as she has given birth—
she experiences immeasurable joy.
And what about those around her?
Even in the midst of her suffering, they already feel joy,
because they know with certainty
that a child is about to be born,
whether a son or a daughter,
and that is, in truth, one of the greatest joys that exists.
As for the woman herself:
once she has given birth,
the pain gives way to joy.
Only during labor is there pain.
In truth, HaShem also rejoices,
for HE knows
that the pain is only temporary.
Afterward, HE will rebuild everything anew—
with greater beauty,
greater strength,
and greater light.”
The ARI z”ל (the Ari HaKadosh) teaches:
On Tisha B’Av, the soul of the Mashiach is born.
Our deepest avodah (spiritual service) on this day is to weep.
To transform the Kinot (lamentations)
into Tikkun (restoration and healing).
To bring forth the soul of the Mashiach,
which is present within every one of us.
May we be privileged to feel the birth pangs—
and to bring the neshamah (soul) of the Mashiach into the world,
with joy and with faith.
