Be Consoled, the Happy Ending is Near (continued)

בס"ד

Continuing the seven weeks from Tishe B’Av to Rosh Hashanah that are called the time of consolation, a time when Hashem tells us that even though events in the world may be looking scary with great uncertainty for the future, be consoled that the time of exile is coming to an end and the redemption is imminent. The consolation comes with the Haftarah for each of these seven weeks.

As last week, the message is so clear and timely that we truly can feel good about what is coming up in the very near future. Haftaras Ki Seitzei that we read yesterday is very indicative of this feeling of consolation. Here is the summary from the Artscroll Chumash:

Haftaras Ki Seitzei, Isaiah 54:1-10

The prophet addresses Jerusalem; the mournful city that was twice left bereft of its children, that sits like a barren woman watching her neighbors fawn over their broods, while for her there is only the agony of knowing that she will never experience the joy of creation and growth. To Mother Jerusalem who is tempted to shrink within her loneliness, G-d says that she should expand her homes and boundaries more and more, for they will be too small to accommodate the hordes of children who will gather to bring her unexpected comfort and gratification. She will be like a wife temporarily banished, only to be recalled again by a loving husband. The grief was painful while it lasted, but in retrospect, it would seem like a brief moment of discomfort fleetingly intruding on a long and fruitful life. G-d's love may be veiled, the prophet declares, but it is sturdier and more enduring than hills and mountains.

The Haftarah clearly consoles us that even though Jerusalem has been laid waste and emptied due to exile, we will return and once again flourish in this holy city in the end of days. The good news is it happened already – this is the end. Jerusalem is such a beautiful built-up city with over 800,000 inhabitants. The only things that still need to be done are to rid the city of the non-Jewish population and welcome the third and final Temple.

Hashem tells us that we need to “expand her homes and boundaries more and more.” This has been happening with many new neighborhoods being developed over the years and even surrounding towns being incorporated into the city limits. The city I live in which is 10 minutes outside the border of Jerusalem is already in the planning stage to become a section of the city. Betar Illit presently has about 50,000 residents but expansion plans show it being 100,000 when completed. That is an instant increase of 100,000 to the population of Jerusalem.

There are areas that are being occupied by Arab population both within the city limit and towns surrounding the city. I call it occupation since by international law and, of course the Torah, this land is all Israel and is supposed to be Jewish. The propaganda of the terrorist groups, pretending to be a governing bodies, will end when Geula starts, and the world’s Jew-hating rhetoric about who is occupying whom will end (of course, all Jew-haters will be gone anyway).

It is all good news. Jerusalem is ready for the exciting ending. The prophecy is fulfilled and we are greatly and happily consoled, B"H.