The Tenth of Teves is the date that commemorates both the siege around Yerushalayim that began the process of its destruction, as well as the Yom Shemu’ah, the date following the Churban that the news of the destruction reached the Jews in exile. It follows that we should use Asarah B’Teves as a Yom Shemu’ah, a day of hearing and understanding, when we should be attentive to what is going on around us and hear the messages for real change.

This talk was given on Asara B’Teves 5769, and draws lessons relevant to events of that time. While some of the circumstances have changed, the message remains painfully relevant.