Nachamu Nachamu

Audio Version

This week's Haftora is the first of seven consoling the Jewish people. After The Three Weeks of darkness and destruction, Hashem consoles us through his prophet Yishayahu (Isaiah), each week, the consoling gets more and more powerful.

This Shabbos is called Shabbos Nachamu, because the Haftora starts with Hashem's words to Yishayahu, "Nachamu nachamu ami," "Console console my nation."

Being that this is the first Haftora of consoling, shouldn't it begin with one Nachamu, a basic level of consoling, and add as we do in the coming weeks? What is the idea of Nachamu Nachamu, the double expression of consoling?

A double expression such as Nachamu Nachamu, means more than two, rather, it is an expression of multiple in quality and quantity. Not only is this consoling of greater intensity, but it is ongoing. And being that this is the first Nachamu of the seven Haftoras of consoling, it is this one that sets the standard for all subsequent expressions of consoling.

In a few weeks, we will read in the Haftora another double expression. As of now, Hashem is asking his prophets to console us, but there, He will take it to a new level, "It is I, I Who consoles you." This double "I," is Hashem saying, that it is coming from the deepest level of His essence. Even deeper than the giving of the Ten Commandments, which begins with only one "I," "I Am the Lord your G-d..." This is because when Moshiach comes and we will experience Hashem's consoling, the revelation will be even greater than the one at Mount Sinai, it will be Hashem's deepest essence.

It is true, with the devastation that befell our people during the Three Weeks, one would think, take it slow, first console a little, how can we handle so much? But being Jewish, we know, that we are always close to Hashem, and even in times of exile and darkness, He is one with us. Hashem is saying, "Nachamu Nachamu," you can handle the double Nachamu, with all its intensity.

This is especially relevant now, when we are so close to the coming of Moshiach, and the darkness is doubled. We must realize, that only our physical existence is in exile, however our spiritual essence is always free and one with Hashem. Soon we will see the fruit of our labor, a double Nachamu, as the physical will also be free, and it will experience Hashem's essence as well, as our Haftora says, "And Hashem's glory will be revealed, and all flesh together will see, that the mouth of G-d spoke."

My wife, Dina, asked me, "When every month you were losing more and more abilities, you just said, 'let's figure out how to deal with it,' how come it didn't seem to faze you?" I told her that I am just crazy. But the truth is, that I am certain, that Hashem is doing this to me for a good reason, and I feel like He has chosen me for a specific mission. I don't necessarily like being unable to do anything and I surely don't wish this on anyone, but if Hashem put me in this situation, I will use it to accomplish His mission. Soon this mission will end, and the bad situation will be unnecessary.

Same thing is true for all of us in this exile. Hashem chose us to accomplish His deepest desire. He put us here, in this dark exile, to accomplish this mission, because it is only here where it can be accomplished. Very soon, because of our efforts, the mission will be accomplished and we will reap the rewards. This exile will end and we will truly be consoled, forever, like the Haftora says, Nachamu Nachamu. May it happen soon.