Leading Torah Authority Advises Partial Reading of Kinot on Tisha B'Av for Students Struggling to Connect

Rabbi Aharon Yitzchak Birenzweig, a senior lecturer at Mir Yeshiva and head of the 'Mivakshei Hashem' committee, recently consulted with Rabbi Moshe Hillel Hirsch, a prominent Torah leader and head of the yeshiva, regarding customs for the upcoming Bein Hazmanim period. One key issue discussed was the traditional recitation of Kinot (lamentations) on Tisha B'Av, a day of mourning in the Jewish calendar.

Rabbi Birenzweig raised concerns voiced by some students who find the lengthy Kinot readings difficult to engage with and time-consuming. They questioned whether it would be preferable to recite only selected sections with understanding or to read the entire text without comprehension. Rabbi Hirsch reflected on an article by the late Rabbi Avigdor Miller, which emphasized that even without understanding, the act of sitting on the floor and reciting Kinot collectively helps immerse individuals in the mourning atmosphere.

Rabbi Hirsch suggested a compromise: not to forgo Kinot entirely, but to reduce the amount. He recommended that students learn a few Kinot thoroughly to understand them well, while also reciting additional Kinot without full comprehension. This approach balances tradition with the students' ability to connect meaningfully, maintaining the communal mourning experience while encouraging deeper study of selected texts.