945. The Ninth of Av
The Shabbat [Sabbath] after the 9th of Av
Our sages said about the verse, “And the whole congregation raised their voice and wept.” “Rabah said, ‘Rabbi Yochanan said, ‘That day was the night of the ninth of Av.’’ The Creator said, ‘They cried for nothing, and I will establish for them a cry for generations’” (Sotah 35).
We should understand the connection between the spies and the ruin of the Temple. Also, we should understand what is written there about the interpretation of “For they are stronger than us.” “Rabbi Hanina Bar Papa said, ‘The spies said a great thing at that time, ‘For they are stronger than us.’ Do not pronounce it as ‘than us’ but as ‘than Him,’ as though even the Landlord cannot pull out His vessels from there.’”
Also, our sages said that Caleb told them that if He says, “Make ladders and climb up to the firmament,” we will not obey Him, “We shall indeed rise up and inherit it.”