Plucking the Eagle's Wings

Plucking the Eagle's Wings

day. Were the Jewish refugees the only reason Columbus decided to wait? Jews gathered at the ports, clutching whatever possessions they had been allowed to keep along with dirt from the earth. That day, the 9 th of Av, commemorated the destruction of both Temples. For centuries, this day had been observed as a day of mourning. On August 2, 1492, the 9 th of Av took on a whole new meaning. According to Jewish tradition, to undertake any enterprise on the 9 th of Av is considered bad luck. Consider some of the following events that transpired in Hebrew history on the 9 th of Av: • The twelve scouts sent out by Moses returned with a bad report. • The Exodus generation was condemned to die. • Nebuchadnezzar set fire to the first Temple. • Romans destroyed the second Temple. • Romans plowed up the Temple Mount to convert it to a Roman colony. • The last independent outpost of the Bar Kokhba rebellion fell to the Romans. • King Edward of England expelled all Jews in 1290 A.D. • The last group of Jews left Vienna in 1670 after expulsion from Austria. • The Turkish government banned the immigration of Russian and Romanian Jews into Palestine in 1882. • World War I began, precipitated by the assassination ofArchduke Francis Ferdinand. • A decree to expel Jews from parts of Hungary was issued in 1941. August 2, 1492 symbolized that Jews were not welcome in the world. As Christopher Columbus gazed upon his despairing countrymen, perhaps in his heart he had a secret desire to find a safe haven for them. For whatever reason, Columbus decided to delay his voyage until the next day. The Voyage and the Hebrew Feast On August 3, 1492, Columbus received communion and set sail aboard his flagship, the Santa Maria. Martin Vicente and Francisco

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