Chesapeake Torah

It says in Isaiah, Rejoice and be glad with Jerusalem those who love
her, rejoice with great rejoicing, those who mourn over her. (Isaiah 66). We might ask, why does it say ‘with great rejoicing’ only for those who mourn over her?

The Dubno ‘Maggid’ (a rabbi who uses parables to illustrate his
point), Rabbi Yaakov Kranz, who lived in Europe in the 18th century,
offers a parable to explain this. There once was a man who was a very
prominent and important person in his community. He was loved by all.
One day, he went on a business trip on a boat. After several months,
word came back to his family that unfortunately he had passed away.
His community was grief-stricken, especially his family and his close
friends. However, as time went on, people in his community went about
their business and life went on. However, his family and close friends
continued to miss him terribly, and things were never quite the same
for them.

One day, as his family was sitting around, the door burst open and in
came their beloved father. They were ecstatic - words cannot describe
their joy. The news quickly spread around the city and there was
rejoicing. However, again as the days went by everyone went about his
business. Only his family and close friends were still on their high.

The Dubno Maggid explains that this answers our above question. Our
joy will be in proportion to our mourning. Those who mourn over
Jerusalem will merit to rejoice in its rebuilding

We just experienced Tisha B’Av and the three weeks leading up to it,
which is our time of national mourning. This Shabbos is called
Shabbos Nachamu, the Sabbath of Consolation. We recognize that G-d is
with us and that in the end we will be reunited in the Third Temple in
Jerusalem. We always keep in the back of our minds that no matter how
wonderful things may seem in exile, we are still not Home. May we all
merit to go together soon to Jerusalem to greet the Moshiach
(Messiah)!

Have a wonderful Shabbos!

Naftali