how to say “collapse” in Hebrew

Tomorrow is the traditional day of national mourning on the Jewish calendar, תִּשְׁעָה בְּאָב (teesh-AH beh-AHV) – the ninth of (the month of) Av.

The day represents the destruction of the Temples in Jerusalem, as well as all the other national tragedies in Jewish history.

One word that comes to my mind is הִתְמוֹטְטוּת (heet-moh-teh-TOOT), collapse. This is the noun form of the verb to collapse – לְהִתְמוֹטֵט (leh-heet-moh-TET).

להתמוטט, likewise, is an intensive-reflexive התפעל (heet-pah-EL) verb.


The love theme

I said that during these three weeks leading up to תשעה באב I would focus on the theme of love. So what does התמוטטות have to do with love?

Sometimes it takes a התמוטטות to get into the position to really receive love. Sometimes one has to fall so low before s/he can appreciate being given a helping hand. 

And sometimes it takes you or me to spot that person and extend that hand.