<html><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"></head><body style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;" class=""><span style="font-size: 23px;" class="">The message of this commemoration is that after the destruction, we must trace its sources and mark its stages; <br class="">we must look backwards to events that are not earth-shattering and perceive how the seeds of the destruction <br class="">on the Ninth of Av were planted on the Tenth of Teves. The more we study history, the more we learn that <br class="">we should not concentrate only on the final act itself, but also on all the stages that led up to it. <br class="">This also applies to the Holocaust which is probably the worst tragedy in Jewish history. <br class="">Along these lines we also recite Kaddish on the 10th of Tevet for all those whose date of death is unknown, who perished in the Holocaust.<br class="">Apparently, the tenth of Teves is "the Day of God" about which many prophets spoke — the tenth day of the tenth month.<br class="">(The 10th of Teves is the only fast day that can fall on a Friday).<br class="">The number ten in kabala is related to the sefira of malkhut, and therefore, the very essence of the day is appropriate to the theme of God's kingship.<br class="">Chazal teach that at midnight a north wind would blow, rousing King David from his sleep to serve his Creator. <br class="">It is in the middle of the night, specifically in the depths of the darkest part of the night, that the sovereignty of Israel awakens, <br class="">and the kingship of God is revealed in the world.May the Kingship of the Almighty finally rule all mankind thus fulfilling the vision of the prophets: <br class="">"Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall men learn war anymore; for all men, both great and small shall know the Lord.”<br class="">Amen</span></body></html>