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ASARA BE’TAVET:

# Opening- explanation of the purpose.

Why do we have asara btevet? Beyond that, why do we have to fast? On asara btevet, the Romans surrounded Jerusalem and cut off the food and water supply. No one was allowed in or out of the city. This was a terrible day in Jewish history, but why was it decided that Jews must fast today? One interpretation states that since the food supply was cut off in Jerusalem, it is only appropriate to fast. Jews around the world have agreed that today, asara b'tevet will not only be a day of mourning, but also a day of hope. Hope that comes from Knowing that:"??? ?? ??? ?????? ????? ????????-????"? ?????? ????” In every generation oppressors have attempted to destroy us. But praised be G-d he rescues us from their hands. To help commemorate this important day, the eighth grade, with the help of Chani and Reut has prepared a tekes in honor of asara btevet.

# Intro

We have already heard about the aspect of this fast day that deals with the destruction of the temple, but asara btevet is also Yom hakadish hakllali, the day that we remember those lost in the Holocaust. It was decided by the Israeli Government shortly after the State of Israel was created that asara btevet would be the day that we say Kaddish for loved ones that died during the Holocaust on unknown dates. It is fitting that these two tragedies are commemorated on the same day. The destruction of the temple led to the galut that continues until today. The Holocaust occurred partly because the Jewish people didn’t have a homeland. These were two of the most horrific events in Jewish history, but today’s ceremony will also dwell on the situation in eretz yisrael. For centuries, Jews have been persecuted, yet every single time we have managed to survive. We hope that in our time we too will overcome our challenges and succeed to exist as a nation until the coming of Moshiach. To commemorate these tragedies, today’s tekes will include skits, a candle lighting ceremony, and readings from these three time periods. The eighth grade worked for many hours to prepare a meaningful program, and we hope that you leave school today with a better understanding of asara btevet.

# CHURBAN– lighting the Churban’s candle.

This candle is lit in memory of the Jews of Jerusalem who died of starvation and thirst under the siege of the Roman Empire. May their memory be blessed.

-Pasuk about the Matzor + A short video.

# A short skit about the Churban.

The mother sits on the rug and her son is leaning on her shoulder and she’s singing or telling a story and the father is learning and the oldest is outside.

Moshe: mother, I’m hungry. I haven’t eaten for three days!

Mother: sorry, I don’t have any food. All the entrances to yerushalaim are closed. nothing comes in… or goes out  

# Part of the Tfila.

# SHOAH (holocaust)- Lighting the Shoah’s candle: (shkafim)

This candle is lit in memory of the six million Jews that perished during the Holocaust. Men, women, and children were killed, slaughtered, burned, strangled, and buried alive to sanctify G-d’s name. May their memory be blessed.

# Yom Kippur in the camp                                                

When the holy day of Yom Kippur arrived in the camp of Shtuthof, all the Jews were taken out to the square.  The Jews stood in lines from dawn to late afternoon.  Toward the end of the day, the Germans brought them hot meat soup with carrots and potatoes. The delicious smell tempted the camp inmates, who were tired and cold, to a point where they could hardly stand the temptation.  They encouraged one another to conquer their hunger and not give in to the temptation, to show everyone that the hunger in the camp will not defeat the holy day. There were some people whose strength had wilted and who could not withstand the severe hunger.  They lowered their heads and submitted to the Nazis.  All the others, including many who had never fasted on Yom Kippur, did not give in. They fasted, and stood on their feet until nightfall.  Toward night, they stood close to each other, chanted the Neila service, and said to one another.  “lshana haba byerushalayim, next year in Jerusalem,” until they could speak no more.

# “The last Seder” skit.

# Video-“Schindlers list”.

# Terror against the Jewish people nowadays-lighting the terror’s candle

This candle is lit in memory of the fallen soldiers of Tzahal. They have given their lives for the safety of the Jewish people and for the State of Israel. May their memory be blessed.

# Newspapers headlines.

# Video of the terror attacks.

#Yoel Tzur’s HESPED:

This was written by Yoel Tzor after his wife and child were killed in a Terrorist attack.                                                  

  Yesterday morning we set out to Tel Aviv to visit our very special aunt.  After we stopped in the settlement of Chasmonaim for the Mincha service, we happily continued on our way to perform the mitzvah of lighting Chanukah candles, a mitzvah which carries on the history of our people. Suddenly we found ourselves under fire. We were ambushed by our enemies who were lying in wait for us. 

         Your lives were cut short and the lives of our family were torn apart.  However, this is only in the short run, because we will overcome. We are strong and the family of Beit El is strong.  We will support others and be supported in turn.

As a person who feels close to the sea, I feel as though I am on a boat in the open sea with waves raging around me, but I see a light from the shore. I know that we will reach the shore. We will unite the family; we will rebuild it and become strong.  And to you, our children and to you the family of Beit El and to all the people who are with us and comforting us, we will be strong.

           To you, Ita, to you Efraim, we have no argument with G-d.  He gave you to us, we loved you.  He took you, May G-d’s name be blessed.  G-d gave, G-d took, May his name be blessed forever.

# The comfort part:

-Churban-

-Shoah- the happy man.   I saw thousands of thousands of children in Israel.  I saw a nation of children, each one getting better... my dear G-D!  Don’t feel desperate because of what happened when I was in the Shoah and what happened to the 6,000,000 Jews….be stronger, marry wives, build homes, and I’m sure there will be great and honest children coming to Am Yisrael.  Very soon there will be a big nation of Jews.  A new generation will begin!

-Nowadays- a Tfila for Eretz-Yisrael.

# Conclusion. Jewish history has been a roller coaster with soaring ups and devastating downs. One of the most devastating events was the Holocaust, which is partly what we commemorate today. During the Holocaust moiré than 6 million Jews were killed by the Nazi’s. One Fourth of the Jewish population in Europe was killed. In the Holocaust Jewish lives were trashed away. The holocaust went on from 1933-1945 ending when Germany surrendered on May 7, 1945. This event was and still is a staggering blow to our nation.      

Another horrible event was when the King of Babylonia besieged Jerusalem. Although life was almost normal during his steadfast rule we can not forget what the consequence of his rule was, the destruction of the beit hamikdash. When pillaging fire destroyed Hashem’s houses it was one the most desolate times in Jewish history. All so today, each and every day is a straggle for Jews in Israel that confront terror heroically everywhere. Yet we can look back to our experience and grow stronger, and become a unified and greater nation.

Now, if everyone would please rise for hatikvah.