During the first Shabbos following Tish’ah B’Av, we read the first of the seven special haftaros of n’chamah, giving klal Yisrael comfort after our period of mourning. The haftaros tell of the coming of Mashiach and the rebuilding of the Beis HaMikdash, which gives us hope that although we have suffered a great loss, there will be a time when the mourning comes to an end.
The seven haftaros of consolation are:
- VaEschanan – Nachamu, Nachamu, Ami (Comfort, comfort, My people, says your G-d)
- Eikev – Vatomer Tzion Azavani Hashem (But Zion says G-d has forsaken me)
- R’ei – Aniyah So’arah Lo Nuchamah (Afflicted one, stormed, tossed, and disconsolate)
- Shoftim – Anochi, Anochi, Hu Menachmechem (I am He who comforts you)
- Ki Seitzei – Rani Akarah Lo Yaladah (Sing, barren one, you who has not given birth)
- Ki Savo – Kumi Ori Ki Va Oreich (Arise, shine, for your light has come)
- Nitzavim – Sos Asis (I will greatly rejoice in my G-d)
This week’s haftarah starts with Nachamu, Nachamu, Ami, Yomar Elokeichem – Comfort, comfort, my people, says your G-d. Through his prophecy, Yeshayahu was able to see that Hashem would not only bring back the Jews from exile, but would also rebuild the Holy Temple. It is commonly understood that the double language of “Nachamu, nachamu” is an allusion to the destruction of both the First and the Second Temples and the redemptions that would follow.
Unfortunately, this week, we experienced a tragic loss in our community. Michoel Nisanov, a Yeshiva Ketana alumnus (Class of 2016) was niftar. Hundreds of people from all backgrounds gathered on Tish’ah B’Av for his l’vayah. Anyone who met Michoel remembers his optimism and love for Hashem. He was always so respectful to everyone and was a true tzadik. At his l’vayah, it was mentioned that although he endured so much pain, he never complained and always said, “This is what Hashem wants.” He always had strong emunah and bitachon in Hashem.
In Michoel’s z’chus, let us come together in unity, and love one another in spite of our differences. We are all brothers and sisters from one father. Let’s make our Father proud enough to finally redeem us and be zocheh for Mashiach.
May Michoel’s family find comfort, and may his neshamah have an aliyah. May he be a meilitz yosher for his family and all of klal Yisrael.
List of People Who Need a r’fuah sh’leimah (a complete recovery)
Please recite Psalms 20, 30, 88, 121, and 130.
Yisrael ben Raizel Shoshanah Miriam
Eliyahu ben Rachel
Robert ben Mazal
Yosef Yehudah ben Devorah
David ben Maya
Yosef Meir ben Malkah Charna
Amir ben Azar Avivah
Binyamin Nesanel ben Brachah Tovah
Moshe Reuven ben Sima Taybela
Eliyahu ben Zoya
Eliyahu ben Sophie
Leah bas Michal
Chayah Esther bas Barba
Esther bas Rachel
Tovah Yocheved bas Esther Bukas
Ruchamah Perel Malkah Leah bas Chanah Serel
Esther Hadassah bas Devorah
Tziporah bas Fruma
Behnaz Chayah bas Yafah
To add names of individuals who need a r’fuah sh’leimah to next week’s T’hilim column, please email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and complete the Google form.
