The Tenth of Tevet: Lessons of Resilience from Then to Now

בַּחֹדֶשׁ הָעֲשִׂירִי, בֶּעָשׂוֹר לַחֹדֶשׁ, בָּא נְבֻכַדְנֶאצַּר מֶלֶךְ בָּבֶל, הוּא וְכָל חֵילוֹ, עַל יְרוּשָׁלַיִם וַיִּחַן עָלֶיהָ וַיִּבְנוּ עָלֶיהָ דָּיֵק סָבִיב. וַתָּבֹא הָעִיר בַּמָּצוֹר.... וַיֶּחֱזַק הָרָעָב בָּעִיר וְלֹא הָיָה לֶחֶם לְעַם הָאָרֶץ.

In 588 BCE, Jerusalem came under siege by Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon. The city’s walls, once symbols of strength, now enclosed its people in fear and despair. The siege lasted nearly two years, culminating in the breach of the city’s defenses on the 9th of Tammuz in 586 BCE. Just one month later, on the 9th of Av, the First Temple was destroyed, marking the end of an era.

For those trapped within Jerusalem, every day must have felt like an eternity. Food dwindled, uncertainty grew, and hope dimmed. Yet the people prayed, clinging to the belief that redemption would one day come. Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, z”l, captures this enduring hope, teaching:

"The purpose of remembering destruction is not to dwell in the past but to learn how to shape the future."
- Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, z”l

The Tenth of Tevet is not only a day of mourning but also a day of profound introspection and learning. It teaches us that even in the darkest moments, there is a divine purpose—a path forward that may not be immediately visible but is always present.

A City and a People Under Siege

The Tenth of Tevet holds a profound place in our history as the day the siege of Jerusalem began. This siege was not only a military maneuver; it exposed deeper fissures within our nation—spiritual disconnection, societal division, and weakened communal resolve. As Nebuchadnezzar’s forces encircled Jerusalem, the physical barriers mirrored internal struggles and the need for unity and purpose.

We do not merely recall the siege as an isolated tragedy but as a turning point—a call to renew our dedication to God and to one another. Its lessons of resilience, unity, and repentance have guided us through generations. Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz, z”l, described fast days as opportunities for growth:

"Fasting is not about suffering; it is about awareness. On these days, we step out of our routine to reflect on what has been lost and what can be repaired."
- Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz, z”l

Even today, parallels to the siege can be found. In Israel, the weight of existential threats, whether through violence, tension, or international scrutiny, demands resilience. For Jewish communities worldwide, challenges such as rising antisemitism and preserving traditions test our resolve. These struggles, though different in form, echo the lessons of the Tenth of Tevet: the strength of spiritual and communal bonds is the key to renewal.

The Hidden Ways of God

The destruction of the First Temple, as devastating as it was, played a crucial role within the hidden ways of God, נסתרות הן דרכי האל. The prophet Ezekiel, who witnessed both the destruction and the exile, described the Tenth of Tevet as a day of consequence:

 "בֶּן אָדָם, כְּתָב לְךָ אֶת שֵׁם הַיּוֹם... סָמַךְ מֶלֶךְ בָּבֶל אֶל יְרוּשָׁלַיִם."

(Ezekiel 24:2)

Yet Ezekiel was not only a prophet of judgment; he was a prophet of hope. His prophecy of the Third Temple, detailed in the later chapters of his book, symbolizes a world redeemed—a place of unity and divine presence:

"Son of man, describe the Temple to the house of Israel... and let them measure the pattern." (Ezekiel 43:10)

These moments of destruction laid the groundwork for renewal. The exile deepened our relationship with Torah, reshaped our communities, and prepared us for the Second Temple. As Rabbi Akiva taught: "כל דעביד רחמנא לטב עביד" – Whatever God does is for the good." (Berachot 60b)

A Vision Drawing Near

At Temple Coins, we are among those who strongly believe that the Third Temple is not just an eventuality but a reality closer than many think. This belief fuels our work, as each coin we craft is more than a collector’s item—it is a tangible expression of our shared hope and commitment to the future. We see our coins as symbols of this divine vision, connecting the past to the present and pointing toward the promise of redemption.

When you acquire one of our coins, you are not just purchasing an object—you are declaring your intention to be part of this journey. Each coin is a link between the past and the future, a tangible expression of hope and commitment to redemption. It symbolizes your role in the collective will for the creation of the Third Temple.

Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel’s timeless words remind us of the shared responsibility in this sacred journey

"Few are guilty, but all are responsible."
- Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel’s, z"l

Today, humanity seems increasingly ready to embrace the values of harmony, spirituality, and service that the Third Temple represents. Across the globe, we witness a growing thirst for meaning and connection—an awakening that echoes the prophetic vision of a world unified under divine purpose.

Our prayers, our deeds, and our dedication to preserving and celebrating the heritage of the Temple are all part of this unfolding redemption. As we rebuild our spiritual lives, we believe we are actively laying the groundwork for the fulfillment of Ezekiel’s vision. Each act of kindness, every moment of unity, and all efforts to strengthen our connection to God and one another bring us one step closer to this ultimate reality.

The Third Temple is not just a distant dream. It is a call to action and a source of hope—a promise that inspires us to strive for a world filled with peace, holiness, and the presence of the Divine. At Temple Coins, this vision is at the heart of everything we create, driving us to honor the past while building toward the future.

A Call to Renewal

The Tenth of Tevet challenges us to reflect on the past, commit to the present, and actively shape the future. Together, through acts of kindness, unity, and symbols like our coins, we