Shabbat Nachamu: The Meaning of "Comfort, Comfort My People" and the Promise of Redemption

This Shabbat is known as Shabbat Nachamu, named after the week's Haftarah, which begins with the words: "Comfort, comfort My people," says your God (Isaiah 40).

On this Shabbat, we begin a series of seven Haftarot known as the Seven Haftarot of Consolation.

Following the fast of Tisha B'Av, when we mourned the destruction of the Holy Temples, we enter a period of seven weeks during which the Haftarah is no longer connected to the weekly Torah portion. Instead, we read passages filled with messages of comfort, hope, and encouragement, inspiring us to look forward with joy to the future redemption and the coming of Mashiach, may it be speedily in our days.

Why Does Isaiah Say "Comfort" Twice?

The prophet Isaiah calls out to the other prophets, saying, "Comfort, comfort My people."

Why is the word "comfort" repeated?

According to the Malbim, Israel will merit redemption in one of two ways: either at its appointed time, at the end of the sixth millennium, or, as we fervently hope, before that time through our merits and by walking in the path of God.

Therefore, the prophet declares, "Speak tenderly to Jerusalem and proclaim to her" that the period of her exile has come to an end. Then comes the call: "A voice cries out in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord," heralding the return and ingathering of the Jewish people from every corner of the earth.

A Revelation Unlike Any Before

"The glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken."

The future revelation of God to Israel will be fundamentally different from any revelation in the past.

"The glory of the Lord shall be revealed" — His presence will be revealed openly and unmistakably, without barriers or concealment.

"All flesh shall see it" — not only a select few or exceptionally righteous individuals, but everyone. All people will attain the same awareness of God's presence, unlike in earlier generations when Moses' prophetic vision surpassed that of all other prophets.

The prophet also declares, "All flesh is grass." The nations that rise against Israel and Jerusalem will wither like dry grass because the breath of the Lord will blow upon them and cause them to fade away.

A Promise of Redemption

Isaiah continues with many uplifting words of encouragement:

"Go up onto a high mountain, O herald of Zion." The prophets who proclaim the redemption of Zion are urged to ascend and announce the coming salvation.

"Lift up your voice with strength, O herald of Jerusalem." They are to proclaim Jerusalem's redemption with confidence, courage, and joy.

The prophet further declares, "Behold, the nations are like a drop from a bucket." All the might and power of the nations are insignificant before God, no more than a tiny drop of water compared to a great bucket.

He will reduce them "to fine dust," while raising the glory of the King Mashiach through the strength and triumph of Israel.

May it be God's will that we merit the coming of Mashiach speedily in our days.

Shabbat Shalom and blessings to all.