Introduction

Today is the first Sabbath that falls within a period of time called the Three Weeks. These Three Weeks commemorate the interval of time between the breaching of Jerusalem's walls, and the final fall of Jerusalem in the destruction of the temple. The name derives from a quotation from Lamentations 1-3. Judah has gone into exile because of affliction and hard servitude. She dwells now among the nations, but finds no resting place. Her pursuers have all overtaken her Beinhammatsareim in the midst of her distress.