Dvar Torah for Tisha B'Av

Based on Likutey Moharan I, Lesson #247

The word the Talmud uses to pronounce "stalemate" in a halakhic discussion is teyku. This word is an acronym for "Tishbi Yetaretz Kushiyot Ubaayot," the Tishbite will answer difficulties and questions. The Tishbite is none other than Eliyahu (Elijah) the Prophet, the herald of the of the Messiah.

There are so many unresolved issues and difficulties in our lives, personal and communal. The pain and frustration, the anger and fury that we feel is all a result of our confusion and resulting inability to untangle the issues that we face.

So we lament by reciting the Kinot (lamentations). We lament that we are unaware of who are the clear-thinking tzaddikim that need to lead us. We lament that we ourselves are too distracted and unsure to draw from the holy Torah the guidance we need. We lament, but we do not despair. We lament because we do not despair.

In Hebrew, the letters of Kinot are the same letters of tikkun, repair, correction, fixing. Everything necessary for setting things right exists. We need to acknowledge—to lament—that above all we are lacking God's help in bringing Creation to its goal.

May Eliyahu come soon, in our lifetime, and answer all the questions and herald the coming of Mashiach. Amen.