Sketching Out Blog: Sketches of art, watercolor, photos, recipes, books, interviews, Jewish topics, and Highland Park, New Jersey

Fast Day – Jerusalem Memories

Jerusalem window
Today is a fast day on the Jewish calendar: Shiva Assur B’Tammuz (the 17th Day of the Month of Tammuz). I have been planning to post some nature notes of jacandra tree blooms and other nature in the Galil, but that will wait until next week. Above is a photo I took when I was in Jerusalem last month. The photo (near the main bus station) shows an example of the mix of architecture in Jerusalem, although if you really want to see the old, old of Jerusalem, visit my post on the City of David. Other posts on Jerusalem: Jerusalem Day and Jerusalem in Ruins.

What happened on the 17th of Tammuz? According to this Chabad article, there were five tragic events on this day, but I will mention this one:

The walls of Jerusalem were breached by the Romans, in 69 CE, after a lengthy siege. (Three weeks later, after the Jews put up a valiant struggle, the Romans destroyed the second Holy Temple on the 9th of Av.)

I’m going to re-post my watercolor from 2011 – you can learn more about its significance on the post Fox in Ruins.

fox in grayed background - fast day story

Mrs. S. says

That's a great shot of Yerushalayim's many beautiful and inherent contrasts!
Have an easy and meaningful fast.

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Leora says

Glad you liked the photo. I did find that one contrasting, although the "old" there isn't very. It's the kind of old one would find in NYC.

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Hannah says

Great photo! Hope the fast is going smoothly.

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Leora says

Thank you.

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Lorri says

I love the water color! I really like the contrasts of the flowers and stone in the photograph, and how the flowers really pop out. The iron rail is lovely, very nostalgic looking.

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Ramblingwoods says

I love the watercolor.... Will go back and read about it..... Michelle

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Leora says

Thanks, Michelle.

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