Tefillos, Kinnus and Ahavas Yisroel: The Fifth Fast at Moscow’s Marina Roscha Shul

Throughout Tisha B’Av, the central Marina Roscha Shul in Moscow was filled with heartfelt davening, kinnus, and a deep sense of longing for the true and complete Geulah. The tefillos were led by the Chief Rabbi and the Head Shliach of Russia, Rabbi Berel Lazar, shlita, who poured out his heart in Avodas HaTefillah, together with the hundreds of mispallelim whose hearts were broken over the destruction of the Beis HaMikdash — and over the current golus still lingering in our days.

As this year Tisha B’Av began on Motzoei Shabbos, a large crowd gathered immediately after Shabbos for Maariv and the reading of Megillas Eichah, which was recited by the Rabbi with the traditional nusach, passed down from generation to generation. The kinnus that followed were recited with bittul and earnest requests for the coming of Moshiach Tzidkeinu b’karov mamesh.

Shacharis on Sunday morning began already mi’amud hashachar, with multiple minyonim throughout the day. In the spirit of the Rebbe’s teachings — to transform days of pain into days of action — the community was inspired to take part in the age-old minhag Yisroel of increasing in tzedakah. In fulfillment of the words of Chazal, “Agra d’taanisa – tzedkasa”, gabboim circulated to collect for local kupas tzedakah, helping families in need, orphans and the elderly. This inyan — which the Rebbe often emphasized on fast days — was carried out with great hiddur and hiskashrus.

As the fast drew to a close, preparations were underway for a nourishing and well-organized seudas mafsekes, with hot food lovingly prepared by women volunteers from the Marina Roscha community. The food was served with warmth and care by the staff of “Grisha’s Tzimmer,” under the direct supervision of the Gabboim.

Following Havdalah by Rabbi Mordechai Weisberg — one of the senior shluchim and community directors — the participants sat down to a proper melaveh malkah-style meal, where words of hisorerus and hoda’ah were shared. The atmosphere was one of true achdus, permeated with the hope and emunah that zeh hu yom techilas ma’asecha — hashiveinu Hashem eilecha venashuva — that this Tisha B’Av be the last in golus.

Photos: Mevaser Tov – Moscow