These two moving kinnot written by survivors of the Nachal Oz and Kfar Aza ask as Yirmiyahu did, Eicha, How can it be? How can it be?

In this powerful kinah we mourn a tragedy greater than the destruction of the Temple and pray for peace for the Jewish people.

Traditionally Eli Tzion is the last of the kinnot (though no longer). As words cannot adequacy describe the loss the paytan (liturgical poet) with an alphabetical acrostic lists all that is lost ending with a plea for G-d to hear our prayers.

This kinnah compares the Exodus from Egypt with the Expulsion from Jerusalem, lamenting all that was lost as triumph turned to tears.

Our ancestors are awoken by Yirmiyahs to plead on behalf of their children. But their children continue to sin and the merit of our ancestors has long expired.

This kinnah provides eyewitness accounts of the destruction of the flourishing communities of  Speyer, Worms sand Magence. We will discuss the heart rendering debates as to the appropriateness of committing suicide of oneself and family rather than submit to forced conversion.

In today’s kinnah we focus on the sale into slavery of the son and daughter of Rabbi Yishmael and their tragic deaths. 

The story of the 10 martyrs is recounted–in very different ways–twice a year. Once on Yom Kippur and again on Tisha b’Av. We will discuss the links between the story of Yosef, making a widow wait and the deaths of Rabbi Yishamel and Rabbi Shimon.

How do we make peace with our own failings? What do we do when we desire mercy but receive Justice?

Despite the fact that God does not keep His word, the paytan lays the blame on the Jewish people. How can the covenant remain intact when promises are broken?