"The Days of Consolation"

Last week was another names Shabbat, specifically Shabbat Nachamu.  This is the Shabbat of comfort or consolation, and comes right after Tish B'Av.

Where we were previously Bein Metzarim (Between the Straits), grieving over the destruction of the Temple and many other devastating events that befell the Jewish people, we now enter the seven week period leading up to Yom Teruah (Feast of Trumpets). Each week the haftarot now speak about the restoration of G-D's people and the Holy Temple, rather than disaster and exile.

In the Torah portion for Shabbat Nachamu we read VaEtchanan (And I pleaded), as Moshe pleads with HaShem to allow him to enter the land. How Moshe must have longed through all the journeys of Bnei Yisrael to see the land of inheritance. However, no matter how he pleaded, the answer was still NO!

One might ask the questions, "If the theme of this Shabbat is comfort, then what about Moshe? How was it a comfort to him to be denied entry into the land? To get a deeeper understanding or perhaps a change of perspective, we might want to take a closer look at the Hebrew word Nachamu or Necham.

The first time we see this word is in Genesis 5:29 where we read, 'zeh v'nachameinu m'ma'aseinu," related to the naming of Noach.

Now he called his name Noah, saying, "This one will give us comfort (NACHAM) from our work and from the toil of our hands  arising from the ground which the L-RD3068 has cursed."

We know that in the days preceding the flood that the world was at an all time low, and perhaps Lamech thought or hoped that somehow his son was going to be the one to change things. However, this brings up further questions. How could changing the world from one of sine and violence, to one of ethics and righteousness bring comfort? After all, wouldn't the opposite  be true? Wouldn't the people look back and mourn their  past mistakes and past opportunities, rather than being comforted with a new found righteousness?

In traditional Judaism, the Rabbi's say that this comfort is related to the fact that Noach invented the "plow." OK, are you scratching your head yet? That's right, I said "plow." You thought I would give you an answer didn't you? Well, guess what, more questions.

How does a plow bring comfort? Stay with me, I promise we will get there. First, let's go back and look at that word, "Necham," as this might shed some light on the subject, or at least bring up more questions. Just kidding. You see "Necham" is not only translated as "comfort," but as read in Exodus 32 about the sin of the Egel Zahav (Golden Calf), it is also translated as "relent"

32:14 "va'y'nachem Adonai al ha'ra'a, asher diber la'asot L'Amo"

"So the L-RD relented about the harm which He said He would do to the people."


At first, you really do not see any comfort in this, unless the people were going to take comfort in not being destroyed, however many of those who participated in this sin, were destroyed. We see this same idea of relenting in the story of  Noach, when in Genesis 6, G-D relents for having made man. This is when Noach is first called, as a result of G-D desiring to destroy all mankind and start over again. Thus, we see a the theme of both comfort and relenting throughout the scriptures, and now we have to determine how to make sense of  two seemingly incompatible concepts. The answer lies in understanding that for us there is no difference between the concepts.

In other words, it is our ability to change our minds, to relent, to repent, or more importantly to change our perspective that brings comfort. The Rabbi's teach that through Noach the world was given a different perspective, and this was through his invention of the plow. It was he who planted a vineyard, and instead of the  people seeing a world of violence and destruction, Noach showed them that there could be a world of planting and building

In our Torah portion, Bnei Yisrael are getting ready to enter the Land. They have seen all of the works of G-D done on their behalf, however, now they must enter the Land and put their hands to the plow. Yet, Moshe is still not able to enter, and we have yet to answer the question about his comfort, or should I say relenting. It is interesting to note that when G-D says, "NO," there is an immediate change in Moshe's perspective. He does not continue to argue, but instead, begins teaching Bnei Yisrael how they  are to maintain the proper perspective. Perhaps, it is because he realized that there is a greater purpose to him being refused entry. Perhaps, he realizes that he is to be a model for those who will apply the lessons he has  taught long after he is gone. Perhaps, it is to pass on the Torah to a generation who are meant to help sustain the Jewish people without being dependent on a single man, but on G-D alone. These are all speculations, however, I still believe we can learn from valuable lessons from this perspective.

We too are  living in days like unto Noach. A world full of violence and destruction. It is difficult to be comforted these days with all that is going on in Israel, the U.S, and the world. Yet, when we look at the Torah portion, which contains the essence of our faith, the Shema and the Dibrot (Words), in spite of mourning the destruction of the Temple, and  an exile that has lasted almost 2,000 years, we still look for the hope of a world that has meaning. That meaning can only come from one place, and that is the Word of
G-D.

(2Co 1:3) Blessed be the G-d2 and Father of our L-rd Y'shua Ha'Moshiach, the Father of mercies and G-d of all comfort,


(2Co 1:4) who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by G-d.

(2Co 1:5) For just as the sufferings of  Messiah are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Messiah.

(2Co 1:6) But if we are afflicted , it is for your comfort and salvation ; or if we are comforted , it is for your comfort , which is effective in the patient enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer;

(2Co 1:7) and our hope for you is firmly grounded, knowing that as you are sharers of our sufferings, so also you are sharers of our comfort

Many of you are suffering today because you have made the decision to follow Torah. However, the above scripture tells you that you are suffering for the comfort and salvation of others. You see, G-D is calling you as Noach. You are meant to put your hands to the plow in the new land you have entered of following Abba's Torah. You are called now to teach others a different perspective, and to show them that rather than having a world filled with violence and destruction, we can have a world of planting and building.

This call is to comfort those who believe they are walking with Abba, but have yet to enter into the comfort of following the Mitzvot, and to bring salvation to the those who do not yet know the Creator of the Universe.

Let us join together, as there are many fields to plow and much work to be accomplished in order to fulfill the command of HaShem, when He says to us, "Nachamu, Nachamu Ami" (Comfort O Comfort My people).

Let's Get To Work!