Jewish Diaspora Faces Tension Between Mourning Jerusalem and Building Life Abroad
A conversation with a friend who recently bought a home in Europe, just days before the Jewish fast of Tisha B'Av, inspired reflection on the complex coexistence of mourning the destruction of Jerusalem and establishing permanent life in the diaspora. The friend joyfully invited the author to a housewarming near a synagogue, highlighting a deep paradox: while mourning the Temple's destruction, many Jews simultaneously build lives far from Jerusalem, embodying a dual reality that has persisted for two millennia.
In Israel, the mourning on Tisha B'Av is expressed amid a reality of return and renewal, with the city rebuilt and the Jewish people restored to their land. The author cites the prophecy of Zechariah about elders and children filling Jerusalem's streets as already unfolding. Conversely, diaspora Jews mourn the destruction while living in exile, where the Temple remains a spiritual ideal rather than a physical reality. This duality reflects a long-standing diaspora consciousness, shaped by centuries of living under foreign rule and maintaining Jewish identity through prayer and tradition rather than sovereignty.
The article emphasizes that this diaspora mindset is deeply ingrained, influencing not only where Jews live but also how they perceive their identity and future. The author recounts a school principal lamenting that aliyah (immigration to Israel) reduces local Jewish school populations, revealing how even the return to Israel can be seen as a challenge rather than a fulfillment of redemption. The piece draws on a Midrash about Ezekiel's vision of the Temple, underscoring that even in exile, spiritual engagement with the idea of rebuilding is vital and prepares the way for actual redemption.
The author calls for a renewed awareness of this duality and urges Jews to move beyond passive mourning toward active participation in building a sovereign Jewish future in Israel. The land itself demands this engagement, transforming exile consciousness into one of freedom and renewal. The article concludes with a personal commitment to celebrate his friend's new home while holding onto the question of what each individual must do to ensure the next housewarming is in Jerusalem.
The author is the chairman of ICE, the organization of Jewish communities in Europe.
