TISHA B'AV - LAMENTATIONS

I went over to Temple Beth Zion yesterday for Shabbat and then later on for the Tisha b'Av service at 9:15. Tisha b' Av is the saddest day in the Jewish calendar. The previous three weeks leading up to it are periods of mourning for the destruction of the Temple of Solomon, both in 70 A.D. when it was destroyed by the Romans and 586 B.C. when it was destroyed by the Babylonians. Michael made many, many drawings of the Temple for my synagogue project. I had to go - in Michael's memory. Also for the cumulative losses....in the last five years I have lost Roby, my mother and now Michael. It's a lot.

Temple of Solomon, c.900 B.C., Preliminary Study. Drawing by Michael Robinett. Copyright 2015. Do not Reproduce without permission from Carol Miller.

The book of Lamentations is read in dim light and candle light in the synagogue. It began with a silent meditation. It was so quiet in that room you could hear a pin drop. So many people came to mourn the loss of the Temple over 2,000 years ago.

Arch of Titus in Rome. Depicts the Romans carrying off the gold ritual implements in the Temple. It is still there today. It appears in all art and architectural history books.

RON + PAM PHOTO

 The photograph was taken by Terry who is Pam's sister in law June 8th at the back of her Dad's house in Paradise, Butte County, California of the 2 of us.

I like to read Ron's blog, MAMMALOS about their interesting life in Willits, California where they are living in a cabin on top of a steep hill without power. They are living off the grid and I admire them for it. It's a lot of work but they are breathing pure air - no particulate matter. This photo was posted on his blog.