Dear Friends,
This past Sunday we fasted for the events which took place on the tenth of Teves. The basic reason for this fast is the siege which was placed around Yerushalayim. This event was the beginning of the end which eventually brought the churban of the Beis Hamikdosh. The commentators ask if in fact the Beis Hamikdosh was destroyed, then of what importance is there to remember the siege? The answer given is that a siege is a time when nothing goes in or out of the location. Chazal teach that all blessing in the world comes directly from Yerushalayim. If we are still in galus there must still be a "siege" around the holy city, and for this we still commemorate Asara B'Teves.
May we soon be able to break the seige and return to our holy city of Yerushalayim speedily in our days!