London riots and Tisha B'Av

It is the saddest day in the Jewish calendar and is traditionally marked by fasting and introspection.

Coincidentally, more recent historical events have also taken place on this day.

Crazily, the expulsion of the Jews from England in 1290 and Spain in 1492 both took place on Tisha B'Av. The first World War also began on Tisha B'Av, 1914.

This year, of course, we have the London riots, which, given events in Birmingham and Liverpool may well become known as the UK riots.

As citizens of London prepare to batten down the hatches for a third consecutive night leaving only a violent minority to roam the streets, the mind wanders to the opening of the Book of Lamentations which we read this evening to mark Tisha B'Av:

"How can it be that the city that was once so populous has become so lonely! She has become like a widow! She that was great among the nations, ministering among the states, has become tributary."

Although the prophet Jeremiah, the author of the Book of Lamentations - 'Eicha' in Hebrew - is writing about the ransacked city of Jerusalem after the destruction of the first temple, the parallel is relevant today.

As parts of Croydon, Enfield and elsewhere are ransacked, let us each use this Tisha B'Av to reflect on where we are as a society and what we can each do to make the world we live in a better place.