Elul Thoughts

There is a teaching about several verses that appear to be in dialogue between Eicha (Lamentations), which we read on Tisha B’av, and the first Haftarah of Comfort, read on the Shabbat immediately afterward (called Shabbat Nachamu, the Shabbat of Comfort). Where Eicha (1:9) proclaims, “There is no one to comfort Jerusalem,” the prophet Isaiah remarks (40:1), “Take comfort my people!” Eicha depicts the roads of Zion in mourning (1:4), and Isiah calls out, “Clear a path for God!” (40:3). Eicha describes how the exiles, “walk without strength,” yet Isaiah reminds us, “God gives strength to the weary … those who trust in God will be strengthened" (40:29,31). 

Isaiah's words respond directly to the pain of Eicha, intending to comfort the exiles. Thousands of years later, his words can also bring us comfort. Our tradition has long understood the power and importance of hope. In the darkest of times, our faith that things will improve has kept us alive.  Perhaps this is why we read haftarot of consolation in the 10 weeks leading up to the Days of Awe. If we are engaged in the hard work of introspection, we may be feeling low. Can we really change? Can our world be repaired? The comfort offered by the prophet is meant to be a balm – after darkness, comes light; After destruction, comes rebuilding. If we feel weary, our faith can bring us strength. So long as we have hope, we can continue on.