Three Weeks of Poetry: A Closer Look at the Kinnot

Recent episodes

1. 19. When Will the Kinnot End? The Horrors of October 7 from Three Weeks of Poetry: A Closer Look at the Kinnot

   Jul 22, 2026

   These two moving kinnot written by survivors of the Nachal Oz and Kfar Aza ask as Yirmiyahu did, Eicha, How can it be? How can it be?

2. 18. Mourning the Loss of Six Million of our People from Three Weeks of Poetry: A Closer Look at the Kinnot

   Jul 22, 2026

   Eicha Tifarteinu In this powerful kinah we mourn a tragedy greater than the destruction of the Temple and pray for peace for the Jewish people.

3. 17. There is Nothing Left to Say from Three Weeks of Poetry: A Closer Look at the Kinnot

   Jul 21, 2026

   Traditionally Eli Tzion is the last of the kinnot (though no longer). As words cannot adequacy describe the loss thy paytan (liturgical poet) with an alphabetical acrostic lists all that is lost ending with a plea for G-d to hear our prayers.

4. 16. The Two Exoduses: From Glory to Tragedy from Three Weeks of Poetry: A Closer Look at the Kinnot

   Jul 20, 2026

   This kinnah compares the Exodus from Egypt with the Expulsion from Jerusalem, lamenting all that was lost as triumph turned to tears.

5. 15. Rising from the Grave from Three Weeks of Poetry: A Closer Look at the Kinnot

   Jul 19, 2026

   Our ancestors are awoken by Yirmiyahs to plead on behalf of their children. But their children continue to sin and the merit of our ancestors has long expired.

6. 14. The Rhineland is in Flames: The Crusades of 1096 from Three Weeks of Poetry: A Closer Look at the Kinnot

   Jul 17, 2026

   This kinnah provides eyewitness accounts of the destruction of the flourishing communities of Speyer, Worms sand Magence. We will discuss the heart rendering debates as to the appropriateness of committing suicide of oneself and family rather than submit to forced conversion.

7. 13. Al Ben uBat: Two Beautiful Siblings Die from Three Weeks of Poetry: A Closer Look at the Kinnot

   Jul 16, 2026

   In today’s kinnah we focus on the sale into slavery of the son and daughter of Rabbi Yishmael and their tragic deaths.

8. 12. The Ten Martyrs from Three Weeks of Poetry: A Closer Look at the Kinnot

   Jul 15, 2026

   The story of the 10 martyrs is recounted–in very different ways–twice a year. Once on Yom Kippur and again on Tisha b’Av. We will discuss the links between the story of Yosef, making a widow wait and the deaths of Rabbi Yishamel and Rabi Shimon.

9. 11. Your Justice, Our Shame from Three Weeks of Poetry: A Closer Look at the Kinnot

   Jul 14, 2026

   How do we make peace with our own failings? What do we do when we desire mercy but receive Justice?

10. 10. V'ata Amarta: More Broken promises from Three Weeks of Poetry: A Closer Look at the Kinnot

    Jul 13, 2026

    Despite the fact that God does not keep His word, the paytan lays the blame on the Jewish people. How can the covenant remain intact when promises are broken?

11. 9. Woe Unto Me: The Pain of Hunger from Three Weeks of Poetry: A Closer Look at the Kinnot

    Jul 12, 2026

    The real human cost of the destructions of the temples is sometimes lost in our desire to make it meaningful for Judaism as a whole. Rav Elazar Hakalir brings us right back into the awful pain and hunger of the day.

12. 8. The Enemy Enters: Titus in the Temple from Three Weeks of Poetry: A Closer Look at the Kinnot

    Jul 10, 2026

    Despite the wanton destruction of all the is sacred Titus decided not to destroy the western wall. In this kinnah we will learn why and discuss how a heavenly voice tries to awaken God. Click here for Kinnah text . Register for our Tisha B'Av Yom Iyyun

13. 7. Ei Ko: Where are all the Promises? from Three Weeks of Poetry: A Closer Look at the Kinnot

    Jul 9, 2026

    In this kinnah we ask G-d’s why He does not fulfil His promises. Yet at the same time we discuss why the destruction of the Temple is a reason for joyous song. Click here for Kinnah text . Register for our Tisha B'Av Yom Iyyun

14. 6. And Jeremiah Cried: The King Who Did Everything Right, Until He Didn't from Three Weeks of Poetry: A Closer Look at the Kinnot

    Jul 8, 2026

    He found a lost Torah scroll. There was no greater leader since Moshe. Then one fateful decision cost him his life. Why did one of Judah's greatest kings ignore Yirmiyahu's warning—and what can his tragic mistake teach us about the limits of conviction and the necessity of humility? Click here for Kinnah text . Register for our Tisha B'Av Yom Iyyun

15. 5. We Did This to Ourselves from Three Weeks of Poetry: A Closer Look at the Kinnot

    Jul 7, 2026

    The Temple fell because of war. But this Kinah says something darker: we destroyed it from within. We had everything, community, purpose, daily ritual, and we threw it away. This is the mourning of a people who woke up too late to what they'd lost. Click here for Kinnah text . Register for our Tisha B'Av Yom Iyyun

16. 4. When Your Own People Become Your Worst Enemy from Three Weeks of Poetry: A Closer Look at the Kinnot

    Jul 6, 2026

    What destroys a society from within? In this kinah, Rav Elazar HaKalir traces the Temple's destruction not only to Rome, but to corrupt leadership, a public eager to embrace comforting falsehoods over painful truths, and the tragedy of internal division. Yet even amid devastation, the kinah closes with an enduring message of hope: the Jewish people will one day return to their land. Click here for Kinnah text . Register for our Tisha B'Av Yom Iyyun

17. 3. A'adeh Ad: I Cry to the Heavens from Three Weeks of Poetry: A Closer Look at the Kinnot

    Jul 5, 2026

    How long can we hold on to hope? Click here for Kinnah text . Register for our Tisha B'Av Yom Iyyun

18. 2. Eicha Atzta: In Your Anger, You Let Us Die from Three Weeks of Poetry: A Closer Look at the Kinnot

    Jul 3, 2026

    How could this happen? What of the covenant? Click here for Kinnah text . Register for our Tisha B'Av Yom Iyyun

19. 1. Zechor Hashem: Alas, What has Occured to Us from Three Weeks of Poetry: A Closer Look at the Kinnot

    Jul 2, 2026

    The heresy of trying to explain our suffering, and why we have to hope regardless. Click here for Kinnah text . Register for our Tisha B'Av Yom Iyyun