THE CURE BEFORE THE ILLNESS - A MESSAGE OF COMFORT
Devarim - Tisha B'Av
One of the fundamental teachings in relation to the Divine system of judgment and punishment is the principle of מקדים רפואה למכה, that Hashem prepares the cure before the illness.
Hashem does not send punishment or affliction, without first preparing the consolation and rectification that will bring us out of the affliction. The purpose of this is that the knowledge that our consolation has already been pre-destined and prepared, gives us hope, faith and comfort when we are going through our suffering.
Yirmiyahu Hanovi was the prophet of the Churban, He prophesised about the impending destruction of the Temple and exile of the Jewish people. He is the author of the book of Eicha, describing a first-hand account of the horrors inflicted upon the Jewish people as the city of Yerushalaim and the Beis Hamikdash were destroyed and the Jewish people were exiled to Bavel.
But many years before, the Novi Yishayahu delivered prophesies of comfort and consolation, including the seven Haftorahs of comfort that are read in the weeks after Tisha B’av, starting with the comfort of Nachamu Nachamu Ami. These prophesies describe the redemption of the Jewish people and their return to Zion.
The destruction of the Beis Hamikdash and subsequent exile described by Yirmiyahu was a punishment requited upon the Jewish people for our sins.
But when they went into exile, they took with them the words of the prophet Yishayahu, the Refuah that preceded the Makkah foretold by Yirmiyahu. The comforting prophesies of Yishayahu would give them comfort throughout their suffering, knowing that Hashem was with them and that they would be redeemed and that Yerushalaim would return to glory. These words of comfort made their suffering that much easier to bear.
This system of Divine justice and comfort is alluded to in Parshas Devarim, which is always read on the Shabbos before Tisha B’av.
In his address to Klal Yisrael, Moshe Rabbeinu employs the word Eicha - exclaiming Eicha Esa Levadi, how can I alone carry the troubles, burden and quarrels of the Jewish people?
The Midrash connects the Eicha of Moshe to the Eicha of Yirmiyahu. The word Eicha is synonymous with the destruction and suffering of the Churban.
But immediately prior to uttering this word, Moshe says “May Hashem, the G-d of your forefathers add to you a thousand times yourselves and bless you as He has spoken to you.”
These words of blessing are the Refuah that comes before the Makkah alluded to by the word Eicha.
Moshe was referring to the Giving of the Torah, when Hashem spoke to the Jewish people and showered them with G-dly revelation. Moshe reminds the Jewish people that He will again reveal Himself to them as He did at Har Sinai, with the final redemption that will come after their suffering in Golus.
With these words of comfort, blessing and assurance, Moshe could then continue with the word Eicha.
The Chassidic masters teach that Hashem only brought the destruction of the Beis Hamikdash in preparation for Moshiach and the rebuilding of the third Beis Hamikdash, where we will experience the greatest revelation and glory.
This message is true in our collective, national suffering which is commemorated and mourned on Tisha B’av. But it is also true with our own personal suffering and challenges as well.
When we go through difficult times, we can take strength and consolation with the knowledge that Hashem would never abandon us to suffer alone with no hope of redemption. There is a cure to our illness. We know that Hashem is with us in the challenge. And we know that even before the suffering came upon us, Hashem has prepared His blessings for comfort and happiness that He is certain to give to us.
Hashem does not send punishment or affliction, without first preparing the consolation and rectification that will bring us out of the affliction. The purpose of this is that the knowledge that our consolation has already been pre-destined and prepared, gives us hope, faith and comfort when we are going through our suffering.
Yirmiyahu Hanovi was the prophet of the Churban, He prophesised about the impending destruction of the Temple and exile of the Jewish people. He is the author of the book of Eicha, describing a first-hand account of the horrors inflicted upon the Jewish people as the city of Yerushalaim and the Beis Hamikdash were destroyed and the Jewish people were exiled to Bavel.
But many years before, the Novi Yishayahu delivered prophesies of comfort and consolation, including the seven Haftorahs of comfort that are read in the weeks after Tisha B’av, starting with the comfort of Nachamu Nachamu Ami. These prophesies describe the redemption of the Jewish people and their return to Zion.
The destruction of the Beis Hamikdash and subsequent exile described by Yirmiyahu was a punishment requited upon the Jewish people for our sins.
But when they went into exile, they took with them the words of the prophet Yishayahu, the Refuah that preceded the Makkah foretold by Yirmiyahu. The comforting prophesies of Yishayahu would give them comfort throughout their suffering, knowing that Hashem was with them and that they would be redeemed and that Yerushalaim would return to glory. These words of comfort made their suffering that much easier to bear.
This system of Divine justice and comfort is alluded to in Parshas Devarim, which is always read on the Shabbos before Tisha B’av.
In his address to Klal Yisrael, Moshe Rabbeinu employs the word Eicha - exclaiming Eicha Esa Levadi, how can I alone carry the troubles, burden and quarrels of the Jewish people?
The Midrash connects the Eicha of Moshe to the Eicha of Yirmiyahu. The word Eicha is synonymous with the destruction and suffering of the Churban.
But immediately prior to uttering this word, Moshe says “May Hashem, the G-d of your forefathers add to you a thousand times yourselves and bless you as He has spoken to you.”
These words of blessing are the Refuah that comes before the Makkah alluded to by the word Eicha.
Moshe was referring to the Giving of the Torah, when Hashem spoke to the Jewish people and showered them with G-dly revelation. Moshe reminds the Jewish people that He will again reveal Himself to them as He did at Har Sinai, with the final redemption that will come after their suffering in Golus.
With these words of comfort, blessing and assurance, Moshe could then continue with the word Eicha.
The Chassidic masters teach that Hashem only brought the destruction of the Beis Hamikdash in preparation for Moshiach and the rebuilding of the third Beis Hamikdash, where we will experience the greatest revelation and glory.
This message is true in our collective, national suffering which is commemorated and mourned on Tisha B’av. But it is also true with our own personal suffering and challenges as well.
When we go through difficult times, we can take strength and consolation with the knowledge that Hashem would never abandon us to suffer alone with no hope of redemption. There is a cure to our illness. We know that Hashem is with us in the challenge. And we know that even before the suffering came upon us, Hashem has prepared His blessings for comfort and happiness that He is certain to give to us.