It's Tammuz time
ICYMI, there was a fast
Welcome back to Chutzstack, the weekly Substack for Chutzpod listeners, accomplices, spiritual seekers, and friends.
This Substack gives you a semi-weekly, written dose of Chutzpod to keep you learning and pondering the Big Questions, and a community space to connect with each other.
July 26, 2024 // 20 Tammuz, 5784
This past Tuesday began three weeks of mourning, a Jewish tradition remembering the day that the walls of Jerusalem were first breached and ending with the fall of Jerusalem on the 9th of Av and the beginning of 2,000 years of the diaspora.
Tuesday was the 17th of Tammuz, a minor fast day. This sun-up to sun-down fast commemorates the anniversary of multiple tragedies of the Jewish people. On this day, tradition teaches, not only did the Romans breach the walls of Jerusalem in 70 CE, but also:
Moses broke the tablets of law he had received on Mt. Sinai
The priests of the First Temple (586 BCE) could no longer offer daily sacrifices, because they were living under siege and were out of food
A Torah scroll was burnt by Roman general Apostomos (burning a Torah scroll is one of the worst indignities in Judaism)
An idol was erected in the second Temple by the Romans (ditto)
At first glance, these tragedies may not feel relatable to our daily lives. But think again! Moses, breaking the tables, lost his temper to such an extreme that it not only harmed his reputation but affected the entire Israelite people. We each have experiences of feeling othered or disrespected by people who, intentionally or otherwise, erase, malign, or disdain a core identity. And while many of our readers have never experienced the hunger that comes from being literally besieged, we all know that this tactic of war still happens to civilians, even in 2024.
Jewish history is deep, and like all history, is prone to repetition. Our job is to recognize destructive events and minimize them. In Judaism, “memory” is an action verb. Remembering where we came from gives us energy and direction in moving forward...even if we forget about the fast day and learn about it while eating breakfast.
Although the 17th of Tammuz is a minor fast day, it can be an important part of Jews’ practice. We’re curious…did you fast?
What’s on your mind?
In case you missed last week’s newsletter, we’re in need of your questions for next season. In honor of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, we’re seeking questions related to the themes of the high holidays: forgiveness, starting again, unfinished business, or what’s holding you back. Send us your questions to chutzpod@gmail.com or submit them on our website.
Chutzpod Book Club
We asked you what books by Jewish authors or books about Jews you’ve enjoyed recently (excluding the Torah, of course). We received some great suggestions so far, but keep them coming in the comments. May this inspire your summer reading or increase your TBR pile exponentially.
The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride
Named one of the best books of the year by NPR, the Washington Post, and the New York Times Magazine.
Part mystery, part survey of early 20th century America, The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store chronicles the life of the residents of Chicken Hill, a poor neighborhood of Pottstown, Pennsylvania, primarily populated by Jewish immigrant and Black families. After land developers discover a skeleton in an old well in 1972, the book delves into the stories of Chicken Hill and its residents in the 1920s and 30s: how a community of people cast aside by the White Christian majority can come together in solidarity. The story unfolds how every good story does: full of tangents that deepen our understanding and connection. Every detail is significant, even if you won’t know why for chapters.
McBride shows us that even in dark times, it is love and community—heaven and earth—that sustains us.
Have you read The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store? Leave your thoughts in the comments.
Support your local store by purchasing The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store on Bookshop.
That’s all for us this week. Remember to share your thoughts in the comments, send us your questions, and donate.
Shabbat Shalom, Chutzsquad. May you share the joy felt across the globe as the Summer Olympics begins.