This motzaei Shabbat & Sunday is the Jewish fast of the 9th of Av. I will be fasting for one reason only: My wife would be upset (very) if I did not. I think I will eat some Israelite Samaritan tehina as my last food before the fast starts & as my first food after it is over. This way I will either be remembering it or looking forward to it throughout the day, when my heart is not on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem but on Aargareezem.

I even wrote my own kinah to read on Sunday morning:

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Today I weep for stillborn hopes

and dreams that withered while in bud.

An empty belly is soon filled

but an empty heart cries for bread.

See the grapes beyond my reach?

Would that I could have them!

They are sweetest nectar!

(Why can't I play the fox?)

The bird in hand makes a joyous chirp

for others; I cannot hear it

and would serve it up stuffed

except then I'd have nothing.

Better to have one's cake and gag on it

than stare at reflected grapes on an empty plate.

And the worst part?

Pretending that I like cake.

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Aargareezem Bit El - Kal yaamee 'ayyeenoo!