Venue: YU Torah MiTzion Beit Midrash Zichron Dov YU Torah MiTzion Beit Midrash Zichron Dov

Machshava:

Three Weeks 

Holidays:

Shmini Atzeret/Simchat Torah,  Tisha Bav 

References: Sanhedrin: 102a ,  Taanit: 25a  

Description

Rav Tzaddok haKohen of Lublin posits that there are times that are designated for pain because they involve greater proximity to G-d, and times that are less painful because they involve greater distance from G-d. In this light, the 22 days of bein hametzarim (17 of Tammuz to Tisha b'Av) are parallel to the 22 days from Rosh haShanah to Shemini Atzeret. A most unusual perspective.