Understanding the Story of Kamtza and Bar Kamtza
To help you connect to the messages of Tisha B’av, Derech B’Yam HaTalmud has prepared the following materials on the Churban, which are ideal to learn prior to Tisha B’av or on the day itself.
Kuntres: Understanding the Story of Kamtza and Bar Kamtza
The Gemara in Gittin relates some of the events of the Churban, including the episode of Kamtza and Bar Kamtza. The kuntres is written in an easy-to-read fashion. It provides a translation of the Gemara and highlights some of the background issues and context of the events.
Among the issues covered are:
- Why is the story of Kamtza and Bar Kamtza brought as the example of the reasons for the Churban?
- Why is Kamtza partially blamed for the Churban, since the Gemara says that the Churban was initiated by a fight between the party’s host and Bar Kamtza?
- What do we learn about the Churban from the names Kamtza and Bar Kamtza?
The kuntres can be learned as a standalone text, or as a guide to learning the sources. (It is permitted to learn it on Tisha B’av – see Mishneh Berurah in 554:2[3]).
The file can be viewed here.
Short Video Shiur: The Greatest Bargain
If we had a chance to contribute money to build the third Beis HaMikdash, how quickly would we run to do so? (6 minutes)