The Nine Days

for those of you that don't get A CALL TO ACTION, or don't read it lol... here's a few basics for this week...

COUNTER WITH POSITIVE ACTION
• Since within the Three Weeks, Rosh Chodesh Menachem-
Av and the week in which the 9th of Av occurs [even in a year
when the Fast is postponed] contains particular gravity, we
should therefore further increase in Torah and Tzedakah during
those times.

STUDY AND LONG FOR REDEMPTION
• We should add in our study of Torah-topics that are related
to the Redemption and the design of the Third Beis Hamikdash,
along with a strengthening of our expectancy, longing, and
demanding of the Redemption.

LAWS OF THE NINE DAYS
• We should create an awareness of the particular laws in the
Shulchan Aruch that concern conduct during the Nine Days, and
particularly those details that pertain to the week in which the 9th
of Av occurs. There is also an obligation to study these laws of
the Shulchan Aruch.

ACT AND PUBLICIZE
• "The main thing is the deed." Therefore, we should act upon
all of the above, including the effort to publicize these matters
everywhere, so that others may likewise act upon them.

Holding Siyumim

INTRODUCTION
One of the reasons for arranging Siyumim (lit. "completions";
celebrations that are held upon completing a section or book
of Torah teachings) is that we actively seek every permissible
manner to add in positive and joyful matters. Doing so reveals
the inner goodness within the decline of the Three Weeks
period.

Additionally, through arranging a "completion" within Torah
we cause a "completion" within all other matters in the world,
including and most importantly, the completion of Exile.
In fact, the appropriate term truly is the "completion" of Exile
and not its nullification, for we are referring to the [positive]
conclusion and completeness of the Exile itself, which is
wrought by drawing the א (Alef) [i.e. Hashem, the Master
(Aluf) of the Universe] into the Exile. We thus transform Exile
(Golah - גולה ) into Redemption (Geulah - גאולה).

REMEDY: JOY OF TORAH
• We should focus on the custom of holding Siyumim on
each of the Nine Days, in order to add in the joy of Torah in a
permissible manner. We thereby nullify those matters that are
contrary to joy.

FOR ALL JEWS
ALL AGES AND GENDERS
• Both men and women should attend these Siyumim, seated
separately of course, as well as minors. Both the young in
years and the 'young' in Torah-knowledge should participate,
regardless of their ability to comprehend the material being
reviewed.