While we may not feel the churban in our everyday lives, reading about some of the tragedies of the Jewish Nation can help put perspective on the Nine Days.

We go through the motions: no music, no meat, no swimming… but do we stop and think about what these days mean? Do we begin to understand the calamity that the destruction of the Beis Hamikdash was?

From a distance of so many years, it’s hard to even visualize what was. But through books, we can get a peek into some of the tragedies – with the Holocaust being the most relatable to us because of its relative recent timing, of course – that have befallen our People. Maybe we can be inspired to make changes. Maybe we can experience just a fraction of the sadness we should be feeling. And maybe we can experience more hope for the coming of Mashiach in our days.

All of the books listed below were read and recommended by a member of our team.