Only Three More Needed
Question: I plan to be visiting Israel and will be in Jerusalem on the Fast of Tisha B'Av. I intend to take my young son to the Kotel and am looking for a way to explain its significance on this special day. What is the right thing to do?
Answer: Before you decide on how to explain Tisha B'Av and the Kotel to your son it might be a good idea for you to drop in to Yeshivat Ohr Somayach or another place where talks in English about the meaning of this sad day are given night and day. You will certainly pick up some valuable insights that you can share with your son.
When you visit the Kotel don't focus only on the grief we feel at nothing remaining of our magnificent Beit Hamikdash but one western wall that enclosed the Temple Mount. Point out that Jews anxiously look forward to the day when there will be a Beit Hamikdash where now there is a mosque, and that the mountain upon which it rests will be surrounded by four walls. You can then conclude with the optimistic observation that "one wall is already up and only three more are needed".
