Isaiah 40:1 – 40:26 This weeks Haftorah begins the 7 Haftorah of Consolation selected from the Navi Yishayah. In the aftermath of Tisha B’Av and the destruction of the Beis Hamikdash, Hashem embraces his children enveloping them in hope and love. It captures the imagery and emotion of a loving parent who after punishing a wayward child picks up the child and, with tears and hugs, kisses away the pain of distance and separation.

Yishayah paints a picture of the Creator’s majesty in nature and history. Prophesying 190 years before the Churban, he described the triumphant resurrection of Tzion and Yerushalayim. The exiled will have returned and the very hills of Jerusalem will testify to the eternity of Hashem and his chosen people. Our ultimate redemption will be far more than a return to Land and nationalism. It will herald the dawning of our greatest accomplishment as we ascend to our rightful place among the nations.

“The word of the Prophet visualizes the time when the “Jacob” nation will in truth have become “Israel”, and as the nations of priests of the world, will have accomplished its mission. Then Jerusalem will have become the center, the heart from which, and to which, not only the life stream of Israel, but also that of the whole of mankind intimately connected with Israel pulsates.” Rav Hirsch