Editing Tisha B'Av: We Only Go Up in Kedusha

{{ShiurInfobox
| title = Tisha B'Av: We Only Go Up in Kedusha
| original_shiur = [https://files.manuscdn.com/user_upload_by_module/session_file/310519663587271540/tQAcQfEckEQoXMQm.mp3 Tisha B'Av: We Only Go Up in Kedusha – Part 1 (July 23, 2026)]<br/>[https://files.manuscdn.com/user_upload_by_module/session_file/310519663587271540/JJzoEPnkJEAXeUOu.mp3 Tisha B'Av: We Only Go Up in Kedusha – Part 2 (July 23, 2026)]
| source_sheets = ''No source sheet available''
| related_topics = [[Tisha B'Av]], [[Kedusha]]
| related_parsha = 
| related_holidays = 
| full_transcript = Full Transcript (Sofer.ai): [[Tisha B'Av: We Only Go Up in Kedusha/Transcript Part 1|Part 1]] · [[Tisha B'Av: We Only Go Up in Kedusha/Transcript Part 2|Part 2]]
| step4_message = Tisha B’Av’s destruction conceals the birth of redemption; pause, reengage, and transform your efforts into nurturing holiness and future growth.
}}

= Tisha B'Av: We Only Go Up in Kedusha =

'''Shiur Date:''' July 23, 2026<br/>
'''Speaker:''' Rabbi Beryl Gershenfeld<br/>
'''Series:''' Vaad — Tisha B'Av<br/>

== One-Line Step Four ==

The Midrash teaches that the Churban immediately births Mashiach, guiding us to halt habit, return with higher intent, and ultimately redirect our tools toward raising the next generation and sanctifying everyday labor into steps of Geulah.

== Summary ==

{{AISummaryDisclaimer}}

A classic Midrash (echoed in Taanis and Yerushalmi) tells of a simple plowman whose ox groans. An Arab passerby instructs him to unyoke the ox: the Beis HaMikdash has been destroyed. The ox groans again, and the Arab reverses course: yoke the ox anew, for the redeemer of Israel has been born—Menachem son of Chizkiyahu, in Beit Lechem. The man then sells his ox and plow and buys linen for infants. The shiur unpacks the symbolism: Why an ox and plow? Why does an outsider perceive what the Jew does not? Why the sequence of stopping, restarting, and finally selling the tools? And why invest in baby clothing? Through these questions, the sugya becomes a lens for understanding Tisha B’Av, the nature of kedusha, and how destruction and redemption are intertwined.

Drawing on the Maharal, the shiur frames Churban not as irreparable loss but as creative destruction: Hashem builds and destroys worlds to raise reality to higher kedusha. The three-stage arc emerges. First, stop: the shock of loss and mourning—undo the plow—because ordinary productivity cannot continue unchanged after the Mikdash falls. Second, restart with awareness: re-yoke the ox, resuming work suffused with consciousness of Geulah, since the birth of redemption accompanies the fall. Third, transform: sell the ox and plow and invest in linen for children—redirect the very energy of labor into nurturing new beginnings, chinuch, and future holiness. The plow represents human effort; its reorientation signals that our avodah must ascend, converting exile toil into purposeful steps toward rebuilding.

A further key is peshitus—holy simplicity. After the Churban, prophecy flickers in children and the simple; animals can perceive what sophisticated minds miss. Like Bilam’s donkey, the ox ‘groans’ truth, while human intellect can be dulled by habit. The Arab outsider represents a surprising conduit for wake-up calls when we are numb. The Kohen Gadol’s shift from eight garments to simple white on Yom Kippur mirrors stripping away externals to reach essence. Tisha B’Av, then, invites us to hear the groan of reality—feel the loss deeply, yet detect the birth of Geulah within it. Practically, we mourn, then act: learn, daven, build families and communities, support Torah and chinuch, and sanctify daily work so that every field furrow becomes a step upward in kedusha.


== מאמרי מקומות (Sources Cited) – Part 1 ==

The following sources are cited or discussed in this shiur. Click the links to view the original texts online.

{| class="wikitable sortable"
! Source !! Hebrew Name !! Type !! Description
|-
| [https://www.sefaria.org/Jerusalem_Talmud_Berakhot.2.4 Jerusalem Talmud Berakhot 2:4] || תלמוד ירושלמי ברכות ב:ד || Gemara || Ploughman’s ox lows twice: Churban and birth of Mashiach.
|-
| [https://www.sefaria.org/Lamentations_Rabbah.1.51 Lamentations Rabbah 1:51] || איכה רבה א:נא || Midrash || Story of the ploughman, Arab, ox, and birth of Menachem.
|-
| [https://www.dafyomi.org/index.php?masechta=bava basra&daf=12b&go=Go Talmud Bavli, Bava Basra 12b] || תלמוד בבלי, בבא בתרא יב:ב || Gemara || After the Churban, prophecy given to children and fools.
|-
| [https://www.dafyomi.org/index.php?masechta=gittin&daf=45a&go=Go Talmud Bavli, Gittin 45a] || תלמוד בבלי, גיטין מה:א || Gemara || Rav Ilish and the man who knew the language of birds.
|-
| [https://www.sefaria.org/Genesis.2.15 Genesis 2:15] || בראשית ב:טו || Tanach || Adam placed in Eden “to work it and guard it.”
|-
| [https://www.sefaria.org/Genesis.1.2 Genesis 1:2] || בראשית א:ב || Tanach || Tohu va’vohu and darkness over the deep.
|-
| [https://www.sefaria.org/Genesis.1.3 Genesis 1:3] || בראשית א:ג || Tanach || “Let there be light” as emergence from chaos.
|-
| [https://www.sefaria.org/Genesis_Rabbah.3.7 Genesis Rabbah 3:7] || בראשית רבה ג:ז || Midrash || Hashem created and destroyed worlds before ours.
|-
| [https://www.sefaria.org/Rashi_on_Genesis.6.6 Rashi on Genesis 6:6] || רש"י על בראשית ו:ו || Rishon || Explains “vayinachem” as reconsideration/change of perspective.
|-
| [https://www.sefaria.org/Gur_Aryeh_on_Genesis.6.6 Gur Aryeh on Genesis 6:6 (Maharal)] || גור אריה על בראשית ו:ו || Acharon || Maharal’s elaboration on Rashi/Onkelos about deeper truth (“aval”).
|-
| [https://www.sefaria.org/Targum_Onkelos_on_Genesis.6.6 Targum Onkelos on Genesis 6:6] || תרגום אונקלוס על בראשית ו:ו || Rishon || Onkelos’ rendering of “vayinachem,” informing Rashi and Gur Aryeh.
|-
| [https://www.sefaria.org/Rashi_on_Numbers.22.23 Rashi on Numbers 22:23] || רש"י על במדבר כב:כג || Rishon || Why the donkey saw the angel while Balaam did not.
|-
| [https://www.sefaria.org/Exodus.11.7 Exodus 11:7] || שמות יא:ז || Tanach || “No dog shall whet its tongue” at the Exodus.
|-
| [https://www.sefaria.org/Genesis.27.40 Genesis 27:40] || בראשית כז:מ || Tanach || Esau’s blessing: “By your sword you shall live.”
|-
| [https://www.sefaria.org/Netzach_Yisrael Maharal, Netzach Yisrael] || מהר"ל, נצח ישראל || Acharon || Maharal’s work on exile and redemption themes.
|-
| [https://www.sefaria.org/Be'er_HaGolah Maharal, Be’er HaGolah] || מהר"ל, באר הגולה || Acharon || Maharal on deeper meanings, incl. animals sensing more than humans.
|}


== מאמרי מקומות (Sources Cited) – Part 2 ==

The following sources are cited or discussed in this shiur. Click the links to view the original texts online.

{| class="wikitable sortable"
! Source !! Hebrew Name !! Type !! Description
|-
| [https://www.dafyomi.org/index.php?masechta=berachos&daf=64a&go=Go Talmud Bavli Berachos 64a] || תלמוד בבלי ברכות || Gemara || Talmidei chachamim increase peace; they have no rest, ever ascending in spiritual growth.
|-
| [https://www.sefaria.org/Psalms.84.8 Psalms 84:8] || תהלים פד:ח || Tanach || Verse supporting ‘ein lahem menuchah’—constant ascent from strength to strength.
|-
| [https://www.dafyomi.org/index.php?masechta=sanhedrin&daf=98b&go=Go Talmud Bavli Sanhedrin 98b] || תלמוד בבלי סנהדרין || Gemara || In Perek Chelek: one opinion that Moshiach’s name is Menachem ben Chizkiyah.
|-
| [https://www.sefaria.org/Lamentations.1.16 Lamentations 1:16] || איכה א:טז || Tanach || “For comforter is far from me” cited as source for Menachem.
|-
| [https://www.sefaria.org/Lamentations_Rabbah.1.51 Lamentations Rabbah 1:51] || איכה רבה א:נא || Midrash || Midrash of the Arab telling the Jew about the Churban and birth of Moshiach in Beit Lechem.
|-
| [https://www.dafyomi.org/index.php?masechta=berachos&daf=5b&go=Go Talmud Bavli Berachos 5b] || תלמוד בבלי ברכות || Gemara || “A prisoner cannot free himself from prison,” applied to leadership from outside.
|-
| [https://www.sefaria.org/Daniel.7.13 Daniel 7:13] || דניאל ז:יג || Tanach || “With the clouds of heaven came one like a son of man,” linked to Moshiach’s advent.
|-
| [https://www.dafyomi.org/index.php?masechta=sanhedrin&daf=98a&go=Go Talmud Bavli Sanhedrin 98a] || תלמוד בבלי סנהדרין || Gemara || Zachu—Moshiach comes with clouds; lo zachu—poor, riding on a donkey (timing/mode of redemption).
|-
| [https://www.sefaria.org/Zechariah.9.9 Zechariah 9:9] || זכריה ט:ט || Tanach || “Humble and riding on a donkey,” source for alternative mode of Moshiach’s arrival.
|-
| [https://www.sefaria.org/Genesis.25.16 Genesis 25:16] || בראשית כה:טז || Tanach || Yishmael will beget twelve princes—used to frame Yishmael’s koach.
|-
| [https://www.sefaria.org/Rashi_on_Genesis.25.16 Rashi on Genesis 25:16] || רש״י על בראשית כה:טז || Rishon || Rashi notes ‘nesi’im’ written deficient, alluding to clouds that dissipate.
|-
| [https://www.dafyomi.org/index.php?masechta=arakhin&daf=13b&go=Go Talmud Bavli Arachin 13b] || תלמוד בבלי ערכין || Gemara || Future kinnor of ten strings; stages of seven, eight, and ten in song.
|-
| [https://www.sefaria.org/Haggai.2.9 Haggai 2:9] || חגי ב:ט || Tanach || “Greater will be the glory of the latter house than the former,” post-Churban reassurance.
|-
| [https://www.dafyomi.org/index.php?masechta=bavabatra&daf=3a&go=Go Talmud Bavli Bava Basra 3a] || תלמוד בבלי בבא בתרא || Gemara || Expounds that the Second Temple exceeded the First in measured grandeur.
|-
| [https://www.dafyomi.org/index.php?masechta=yoma&daf=9a&go=Go Talmud Bavli Yoma 9a] || תלמוד בבלי יומא || Gemara || Durations: First Temple 410 years; Second Temple 420 years.
|-
| [https://www.dafyomi.org/index.php?masechta=yoma&daf=21b&go=Go Talmud Bavli Yoma 21b] || תלמוד בבלי יומא || Gemara || Lists five things lacking in the Second Temple (Ark, Shechinah, etc.).
|-
| [https://www.sefaria.org/Pirkei_Avot.5.5 Pirkei Avot 5:5] || פרקי אבות ה:ה || Other || Mishnah listing ten miracles in the Temple, context for first vs. second.
|-
| [https://www.sefaria.org/Zohar Zohar] || זוהר || Other || Idea that God ‘built worlds and destroyed them’ before creating ours.
|-
| [https://www.dafyomi.org/index.php?masechta=shabbos&daf=133b&go=Go Talmud Bavli Shabbos 133b] || תלמוד בבלי שבת || Gemara || Imitatio Dei: As He is merciful and gracious, so should you be.
|-
| [https://www.sefaria.org/Genesis.1.2 Genesis 1:2] || בראשית א:ב || Tanach || Creation began with chaos and darkness—used to model ascent after lack.
|-
| [https://www.sefaria.org/Genesis.1.1 Genesis 1:1] || בראשית א:א || Tanach || “In the beginning God (Elokim)”—Din vs. Chesed framework in creation.
|-
| [https://www.sefaria.org/Netzach_Yisrael Maharal, Netzach Yisrael] || מהר"ל, נצח ישראל || Acharon || Maharal’s treatment of Churban and Geulah; Moshiach named Menachem, Beit Lechem, Biras Arva.
|-
| [https://www.sefaria.org/Sfat_Emet Sfas Emes] || שפת אמת || Acharon || Acharonic view about rebuilding via middas ha’din vs. chesed.
|-
| [https://www.sefaria.org/Da%27at_Tevunot Da'at Tevunot (Ramchal)] || דעת תבונות || Acharon || Ramchal: understanding good through contrast with lack/evil; ascent after hester.
|}

== Audio ==

* [https://files.manuscdn.com/user_upload_by_module/session_file/310519663587271540/tQAcQfEckEQoXMQm.mp3 Tisha B'Av: We Only Go Up in Kedusha – Part 1 (July 23, 2026)]
* [https://files.manuscdn.com/user_upload_by_module/session_file/310519663587271540/JJzoEPnkJEAXeUOu.mp3 Tisha B'Av: We Only Go Up in Kedusha – Part 2 (July 23, 2026)]

[[Category:Shiur]]
[[Category:Topic - Tisha B'Av]]
[[Category:Topic - Kedusha]]
[[Category:Rabbi Gershenfeld Vaad]]