This Shabbath is called Shabbath Naḥamú, the Shabbath of Consolation, for it follows the fast of Ab and features a prophetic reading from Yesha‘yahu filled with words of comfort.
Many Jews today struggle to believe in the Blessed Creator, asking: “Where was God during the Second World War? Why did He allow my child to die?” Pause and reflect on this. The Talmud tells a story of Rabbi ‘Aqibá and his colleagues who once stood upon Mount Moriah. There, they saw a fox wandering upon the very place where the Holy Temple once stood. Upon seeing this, Rabbi ‘Aqibá’s companions broke down in bitter weeping. To their astonishment, Rabbi ‘Aqibá began to laugh. They turned to him and asked, “How can you rejoice when our Holy Place lies in ruins?” He replied, “Now that I see the words of destruction fulfilled, I am certain that the words of restoration will likewise be fulfilled. As He promised the ruin, so too He promised the rebuilding.”
The Eternal, exalted is He, declares:
“I form the light and create darkness; I make peace and create evil.”
The terms good and evil are human perspectives. But the Blessed Creator sees the world in terms of truth and falsehood—Emeth and Sheqer. The person of limited perception measures life through what is good or bad. But one who perceives the metaphysical world understands that all which unfolds in the cosmos comes from the will of the Eternal, blessed is He.
The Tanakh says:
“ADONAY chastises those whom He loves” (Mishlé).
Moshe Rabbenu foresaw the entire future of our people. He foretold that our ancestors would stray from the path, but that in the latter days we would return to the Eternal, blessed is He, in sincerity and humility (Debarim chapters 4 and 30).
The Eternal promises:
“I shall pass you through the fire, but I shall not destroy you” (Zekharyáh).
These words remind us that overwhelming trials may come—not for our annihilation, but for our refinement. The message of the prophet Yesha‘yahu is one of healing for a broken and afflicted people.
Where is the Blessed One in the midst of crisis? Right there—beside you, watching over you with care.
“Many are the afflictions of the righteous—but from them all, he is delivered” (Tehillim 34:19).