Today, the 17th day of the Hebrew month of Tammuz, is a fast day which commemorates the fall of Jerusalem in 70 CE.

A three-week period of mourning begins today and ends on Tisha B'Av. During the Three Weeks, called Sholshet HaShavuot in Hebrew, more observant Jews observe the following prohibitions: 1) no weddings and other festive gatherings, 2) no hair cuts (some refrain from shaving).

Tisha B'Av, the 9th day of the Hebrew month of Av, is a fast day that commemorates the destruction of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem in 70 CE. This year Tisha B'Av is on July 24, 2007 (Tuesday).

Why do Jews today mourn the fall of Jerusalem and the loss of the Temple, events which took place almost 2000 years ago? Rabbi Professor David Golinkin explains, in answer to this question, that "Remembrance is the Secret of Redemption."

Lebanon celebrated the release of convicted killer Samir Kuntar, and Israel mourned the deaths of Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev following yesterday's dramatic prisoner swap.

"The joys of a nation is indicative of its value-system", said Israeli Prime Minister Olmert. "Woe is the nation that celebrates at this hour the release of a man that crushed the skull of a child. My heart, on this day, is with the Goldwasser and Regev families."

Israel released 199 Lebanese bodies, four Lebanese prisoners, and Kuntar in exchange for the bodies of Udi and Eldad. Olmert explained, "The worry over the fate of every one of our soldiers is the glue which binds us as a society, and it is this which allows us to survive in an area in which we are surrounded by enemies and terror organizations."

Goldwasser's father-in-law, Omri Avni, vowed the families would continue their struggle until Gilad Shalit comes home.

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