Nachamu Nachamu Ami

On Shabbos Nachamu, G-d comforts us for all the calamities we have collectively been through and mourned these past few weeks. G-d says “Nachamu Nachamu Ami Yomar Hashem Elokeichem.” The verse is simply translated as “Be comforted, be comforted My nation, says Hashem your G-d.” The question is how are we comforted? I still see a mosque on top of the holiest place in the world and our brothers in the north are still being attacked. With what is G-d comforting us? The Rebbe of Radomsk, the Tiferet Shlomo, explains that G-d is saying, be comforted, be comforted and through what? Through the fact that Hashem says that I am your G-d (put the comma after Hashem in the pasuk). In all situations Hashem says that He is our G-d as it says in Tehilim, Emo Anochi Btsara, I am with you in your pain. In our fight against evil, whether it be some Islamic fundamentalists or confronting our own dark inclinations, we tend to feel that we are fighting alone, struggling to exist. G-d screams right back and says that He is right there with us. We are not alone. That’s the nechama.

This reminds me of a similar idea I learned with Avraham Chaim a few weeks ago on Shabbos at Judah B’s from the B’er Mayim Chayim in his Sidduro Shel Shabbos. The Rebbe says that when we need mercy from above we say “Shma Koleinu Hashem Elokeynu, Chus V’Racheim Aleinu,” “Hear our voice Hashem our G-d and have mercy on us.” Why should Hashem have mercy on us? The Rebbe explains because we say listen Hashem, you are our G-d, (put the comma after Hashem) and have mercy on us just for the fact that you are our G-d, our precious Father in heaven. This simple relationship between us and Hashem is the really the most powerful thing. The Rebbe says that a child in trouble calling out to his father “daddy,” causes the greatest feelings of compassion to be aroused in his father. The same is true with our relationship with G-d. Alll we need to do is say Hashem, you are our G-d, we rely on you and need your help and then the compassion will be awakened from above.

Oy Good Shabbos