Eikev: Redemption Even in the Bleakest Times The Haftorah begins with the painful cry of Zion. It seems to Zion that Hashem has left and forgotten her. Hashem answers rhetorically, “Is it possible for a woman to forget her baby? And even if it was, Hashem will never forget Zion.” Hashem then comforts Zion and swears that one day Zion will be filled with the Children of Israel who will return to her. The non Jewish nations and their kings will bring the Children of Israel back to Zion with honor. Hashem will fight the enemies of the nation of Israel and will be her salvation.
The end of the Haftorah advises us what to do in times of difficulty:
“Look to the rock from which you were hewn and at the hollow of the pit from which you were dug. Look to Abraham your forefather and to Sarah who bore you, for when he was yet one alone did I summon him and bless him and make him many.” (Isaiah 51:1-2)
The first verse is a metaphor, explained by the second verse. The nation of Israel is compared to a house. Each person represents one building block and each block comes from the same quarry – our forefather, Abraham. The hollow of the pit from which the stones were removed, refers to our mother Sarah who gave birth to us.
The Chofetz Chaim explains the metaphor in the following manner: The Prophet Isaiah is telling us that we should follow the example of our ancestors, Abraham and Sarah. They had their child, Isaac, in their elderly age, at a time when all hope of such a tremendous event taking place had long passed. From this we learn that although the Jewish people are now scattered throughout the world and despised by the nations, despite all odds, we will rise above all the nations and return to the Land of Israel.
The Chofetz Chaim describes how this was true during the nation of Israel’s enslavement in Egypt. The redemption occurred at a time and in a way that according to the laws of nature should really never have happened.
The Prophet Isaiah also tells us what we must do until the time of redemption will take place:
“Who among you fears Hashem, listening to the voice of His servant? Though he may have walked in darkness with no light for himself, let him trust in the name of Hashem and rely upon his G-d.” (Isaiah 50:10)
Though darkness surrounds us, we must trust and rely on Hashem. However difficult our current situation may appear, we must remember that it can turn around in an instance. |
