Each of the months, according to Kabbala, represents one of the body’s senses as well as one of the tribes. Tammuz represents “sight” and accordingly: Re’uven (“Hashem SAW my difficulties…”). As opposed to the turning inwards, darkness and staying home of the winter, Tammuz sees the summer advance towards its climax, the day is longer and we SEE more (imagine how much more the difference was before electricity!).
Moreover, Hashem created a beneficial reaction, that when staring at the sun, its extreme brightness brings tears to our eyes. Similarly, extremely bad or good news, even slicing really sharp onions, are too much for us to bear, and we automatically “wash them away” with tears, and feel a certain sense of relief. The eyes are the “shower” or mikveh of the soul, enabling us to cope with the national and individual challenges of life. We now understand how the women used to “cry with the (idol) of Tammuz” (Y’chezkel 8, 14, an idolatry based upon wetting the eyes of that idol, and the women would “cry with him” at length). But there’s a big difference whether crying is an advantageous means to enable coping, as opposed to building an IDEOLOGY out of crying. We know that idolatry was not a happy way of life, and man’s relationship with his threatening violent gods, was based on fear. Each of those gods supposedly had his “turf” but lacked the other powers, and consequently becomes a “Taker” to fill those voids. Such a lifestyle sees crying as an outlook of DESPAIR and religious obligation.
Moshe Rabbenu came down with the tablets on the 17th of Tammuz, but upon SEEING the golden-calf, broke them. It COULD have been seen as a very happy day, but unfortunately, because of our corrupt actions, we turned it into a very sad one. Nevertheless, despite the morning and fasting, it is not meant to be a day of despair, but rather a day of contemplation and learning experience for us, a day to pray for the ultimate return and redemption (the opposite of despair!). Similarly the spies who were sent on the 1st of Tammuz to SEE Eretz Yisrael out of suspicion and worry, SHOULD have and could have focused on her greatness, but apparently their negative traits led them to focus on her problems and shortcomings. This Cheit HaMeraglim which is also seen as a recurring sin over the generations, is meant to be rectified and teach us the proper lesson: always focus on the good, not the bad.
As opposed to the god Tammuz, Judaism teaches “There is no light that does not come out of darkness” (Google my article on: Rav Kook Prepared Us Hamas). The lack of light enables us to slowly and subjectively adjust ourselves even to extreme light. We all know that “Who is wealthy? He who’s happy with his lot” (Avot). Similarly the Talmud (Brachot 58a) says that 2 guests can experience the very same hosting, but one appreciates everything, while the other pessimistically looks how it could have been better! Rav Kook (Ayn Aya 9, 287) explains that similarly many look at Hashem’s creation and the way He runs it, and see the over-abundant good, while those who lack the midah of appreciation, they are constantly upset and losing out! Similarly, it’s important during the present war to know what’s going on and watch the news. The Talmud (cited in halacha, Shulchan Aruch…) that one should pray near windows, and Rav Kook beautifully explains (intro. Siddur Olat Re’iya) that a Jew must be connected with the outside world when he prays, otherwise how can he know what to ask for and how to direct his own time and efforts?! [Note: this is the opposite of other yeshivot which I know of, which tell the 9th graders on the first day: no more newspapers or listening to the news for it distracts from learning!]. But many (probably even most!) of the reporters and stations over-focus on the problems in Israel, sending many into despair, instead of appreciating our situation today as opposed to 80 years ago, and compared with 2 years ago, where Hamas, Hizballah and Iran are on the run, and there is no longer a Syria!! Yes, it’s important to have a “watch-dog” over the politicians, but that’s a far cry from being a vicious attack dog, constantly trying to bring down the government, no matter what they do! Similarly, individually and statistically, even if there is chalila a car accident, do you realize how many millions made it home today safely? When caught up in traffic, I could either complain, or think what Yishayahu would have given to see this, and thank Hashem for bringing so many Jews back to Eretz Yisrael!
Again, Tammuz, Reuven (Leah was loved less by Ya’akov but saw the birth of Reuven as a turning point, despite all of the challenges with which he also will be faced) and sight, all teach us HOW TO deal with challenges. That just as marriage, the greatest of joys- is not void of constructive challenges, so too seeing, even crying, is meant to be constructive and helpful, and not bring to despair. We definitely have much good for which to thank Hashem and the State of Israel, and focusing on that will also enable us to do so regarding everything, and live happy and beneficial lives! Wishing you all an easy and especially beneficial fast!
Rav Ari Shvat (based upon my friend R. Haggai Lundin)