On Thursday, July 23, the community gathered at the Beth Gavriel Bukharian Congregation for an incredibly inspiring program hosted by Chazaq and livestreamed by Torah Anytime. Top speakers shared uplifting ideas throughout the day until 7 p.m. In the afternoon, Beth Gavriel also offered free shaatnez checking, and the Keever Rebbe shlita came to offer brachos and advice to individuals and families.

This article will cover the first few speakers. The entire program can be viewed on www.TorahAnytime.com .

The first speaker, Rabbi Tomer Zion, a well-known speaker, shared how the Spies interpreted something intended for their benefit as something negative. He noted that we do this, too. We need to understand that Hashem endowed each of us with what we need to succeed. Viewing things on social media creates social pressure and can destroy a person’s emunah. We need to know that Hashem placed each of us in our particular situation because we can be successful in that situation.

The Churban happened when we failed to believe in ourselves. This caused us to go into galus. He taught that there are two types of people in galus. One type strengthens himself and starts over again. The other says, “I can’t be successful.” We cry on Tish’ah B’Av for this latter state of mind.

He pointed out that there is a teaching that the Mashiach will be born on Tish’ah B’Av. In the afternoon, we rise up. The Ramban taught that the point of the fast is to do t’shuvah. We cried on this day when the Romans came to the Beis HaMikdash. He said, “Imagine if we took everyone to the Beis HaMikdash. We would have no doubts and would possess the strongest emunah. We would have no doubt that Hashem would bless us if we did the right thing.”

We must turn our mourning into a yearning for Mashiach. He posed the question: Why didn’t Hashem forgive the sin of the Spies? The answer he shared is that we need to change the feelings in our hearts and believe that every day is filled with new opportunities from Hashem to be successful. Today, ask yourself whether you put your brick in for the Beis HaMikdash. Do you believe that Hashem will make you successful in your situation?

He concluded, “Don’t let social media or naysayers discourage you. We need to live our lives knowing that they are full of miracles.” Whoever mourns the Churban will merit seeing the rebuilding of the Beis HaMikdash.

Next, Rabbi Yitzchak Aminov, a well-known speaker, shared a source in the Gemara about Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi and Eliyahu HaNavi. The Gemara taught that the Mashiach is someone who will offer assistance to anyone who needs help. His entire mission is to be a friend – to be there for someone else and to make space in his heart for another person.

All of us are waiting for the Mashiach to repair the world. Mashiach is waiting for us to repair ourselves. We do this by emulating Mashiach’s strength. “Start to be a friend. Have a heart with space for someone else.”

He shared that the Beis HaMikdash is referred to as a friend. How can a building be a friend? The most important quality of a friend is reaching out with one’s heart to someone else’s heart. That is the power of Hashem, the power of Binyamin, klal Yisrael, Avraham, and Shlomo. The Beis HaMikdash is known as the house of life.

Have you ever given someone a compliment? When you do so, you give life. He concluded, “Give life to someone else. Reach out and be the reason someone feels good about himself. This will bring g’ulah!”

Next, Rabbi Yaniv Meirov, Rav of Congregation Charm Circle and founder and CEO of Chazaq, spoke. He first shared personal stories about people who followed his suggestion to take on something new and how doing so changed their lives. One of them took on Shabbos and told Rabbi Meirov that it was the best thing he had ever done.

He shared that we were sitting on the floor because of words. Tish’ah B’Av began because the Spies returned with lashon ha’ra about the Land of Israel. The First Beis HaMikdash was destroyed because of the three cardinal sins. The Second was destroyed because of sin’as chinam. The Gemara teaches that every year that the Beis HaMikdash is not rebuilt, it is as if it was destroyed all over again. The root of the sin that destroys it is lashon ha’ra.

Lashon ha’ra is equal to the three cardinal sins: murder, adultery, and idolatry. Words can build worlds. King Shlomo taught that life and death are in the hand of the tongue. David HaMelech taught that whoever wants a good life must control his tongue.

In the United States, the two biggest issues are dining and gossip. The solution to both is to close our mouths. The mouth is the most powerful tool Hashem gave us. We use our mouths to daven and to learn Torah. Speech is what distinguishes us from animals.

The tool used to create the entire universe was words. “What a powerful tool words are. It is so important to control our mouths.” This is a challenge for every person. We need to distance ourselves from negative speech. We should accept upon ourselves to say only positive things. This will bring blessings. You may make a mistake, but you can simply start again. Continue moving forward. Keep your mouth holy and pure.

He noted that we do not recite Tachanun on Tish’ah B’Av because this day will eventually become a day of happiness.

The following rabbis and speakers participated throughout the day: Rabbi Michal Khaimov, Rabbi Akiva Rutenberg, Rabbi Benzion Klatzko, Rabbi Yaakov Mizrachi, Rabbi Ben Tzion Shafier, Rabbi Yosef Placci, Rabbi Yitzchok Oelbaum, Rabbi Israel Itshakov, Rabbi Yaakov Rahimi, Mr. Harry Rothenberg, Esq., Rabbi Daniel Glatstein, Rabbi Paysach Krohn, Rabbi Avrahom Walkin, Rabbi Dovid Goldwasser, Rabbi Eliezer Zeytounah, Rabbi Yitzchok Bistritzky, Rabbi Ilan Meirov, and Rabbi Yigal Haimoff.

The community is deeply grateful for this amazing program, which, im yirtzeh Hashem, will take place in Yerushalayim next year with Mashiach!

By Susie Garber