Shabbos Nachamu: A Message of Comfort, Strength, and Emunah

Dedicated for a Refuah Sheleimah for Shloime ben Yehudis – May he feel better and stronger very, very soon.

Hello everyone. I'm trying to send a very short message today, as it is Shabbos Nachamu, the Shabbos of comfort following Tisha B'Av.

Shabbos Nachamu is a time for us to regain strength and find spiritual support. As Hashem says,

"Ani Hashem Menachemchem" – "I am Hashem, your Comforter."

The word "Nachamu" (comfort) is repeated twice in the haftarah, which is often understood as a response to the two destructions of the Beit Hamikdash. But on a deeper, personal level, we seek comfort in so many areas—physical, moral, and emotional. Hashem promises us:

"Ani Hashem Menachemchem" – He alone provides true and lasting support.

Unanswered Prayers and Precious Tears

On Tisha B'Av, we cry over the destruction of the Beit Hamikdash. But the word "Kinot" (קינות – laments) also contains the letters of the word "Tikkun" (תיקון – rectification). Every tear represents a hope for repair, for Mashiach, and for redemption.

We may wonder: Where do all our tefillot (prayers) go?

Moshe Rabbeinu's 515 Prayers

This week’s Parashah, we learn from Moshe Rabbeinu, who says:

"Va’etchanan el Hashem" – “And I pleaded with Hashem.”Chazal teach that the gematria (numerical value) of Va’etchanan is 515, showing how Moshe poured out his heart to Hashem 515 times. Yet, he was not granted entry into Eretz Yisrael.

But the message is clear:

• No prayer is ever lost.Every heartfelt tefillah reaches the Ribono Shel Olam.

• Every tear is precious.On Tisha B’Av, our tears are not just national—they are also personal. Whether for the Beit Hamikdash or for our own pain, Hashem collects every tear. These very tears will one day bring the Geulah and the rebuilding of the Beit Hamikdash, speedily in our days.

Even when we don’t see immediate answers, Hashem never abandons us.

As we say in Tehillim:

"Though he calls it a lament, he sings it."Why a song? Because even in destruction, we know that Hashem is with us."Im Anochi Betzarah, Hashem Imanu" – “I am with you in your suffering.”

Looking Upwards: Our Unique Purpose in Am Yisrael

This is the message of Shabbos Nachamu. Hashem is our comforter because He created the world and holds everything in His hands. He can transform the driest field into a flourishing garden. We must hold onto our emunah, remember past nissim (miracles), and trust that Hashem is taking care of every detail of our lives.

"Ein Kein Elokeinu" – There is none like our G-d.

Even when we feel low, we must look upwards. Look at the sky and the multitude of stars. Each star is unique, just like each soul in Am Yisrael.

You Are a Unique Star

There may be millions of stars, but:

• Each one has a name.

• Each one has a purpose.

• So do you.

Small Acts, Big Impact

Every small deed counts:

• A smile.

• A kind word.

• A small action.

"Ish l’vado" – No one is ever truly alone. Hashem is with each of us.

Divine Providence: A Detroit Minyan

Let me end with a powerful story of hashgacha pratis (Divine Providence).

A man traveled from New York to Detroit for a vital meeting about government funding. He arrived early and used the time to daven and say Tehillim at a local shul. He asked around 3:45 PM if there would be a minyan for Mincha, and someone assured him there would be at 4:00.

But at 4:00 PM, only a few people were there. By 4:10, a man pleaded with him:

"Please stay. I have a Yahrzeit and need to say Kaddish."

Though anxious about his meeting, the visitor agreed. The minyan was completed just in time. After Mincha, he again stayed for the final Kaddish and ended up being half an hour late.

Panicked, he apologized at the meeting. But the secretary calmly said:

"Don’t worry. The boss hasn’t arrived yet."

Just then, the very man who had begged him to stay for the Kaddish walked in. He was the bank manager, the decision-maker for his funding!

"I can’t believe we’re meeting a second time today!" the bank manager said.

Because he stayed for Kaddish, he didn’t miss his opportunity—in fact, he was exactly where Hashem wanted him.

After Every Fire, There’s Treasure

As the Yiddish saying goes:

"After every fire, you find treasure."Even after destruction, we find something precious.

"V’Hu Yivneh Beit HaMikdash" – Hashem will rebuild the Beit Hamikdash, and may we all see salvation, comfort, and revealed good in our personal lives.

Good Shabbos from Yerushalayim – May It Be a True Shabbos of Nachama

Have a wonderful, wonderful Shabbos. May it be a time of deep comfort, of renewed strength, of feeling Hashem’s presence in your life.

Good Shabbos. Shabbat Shalom. Nachamu, Nachamu Ami.