Parshas Pinchos 5785
- Torah Tavlin
- Jul 16
- 1 min read
אשר היה דבר ה' אליו בימי ... (ירמי' א-ב)
In the first of the "תלתא דפורענותא" - “three (weeks) of calamities,” Hashem exhorts Yirmiyahu HaNavi to admonish Klal Yisroel in his capacity as the prophet of Klal Yisroel. While Yirmiyahu here relays that he prophesied during the days of Kings Yoshiyahu, Yehoyakim and Tzidkiyahu, why does he specify the years that he prophesied during each king’s reign while in Sefer Yeshayahu it merely says that he prophesied during their time?
R’ Don Yitzchok Abarbanel zt”l explains that after Hashem stated,“I appointed you a prophet concerning the nations ...” Yirmiyahu replies: “I don’t know how to speak, for I am still a boy.” Obviously, Yirmiyahu HaNavi was no child at this time; nevertheless he was humble and considered himself small and insignificant. He explains that the overall intention of this prophecy and all its five parts and dialogues was to command Yirmiyahu and urge him in his prophetic mission, to remove any doubts that may have arisen in his heart due to his youth or the urgency and gravity of the task at hand. It was this doubt which caused him to relay the years he had prophesied under each king’s reign in order to strengthen himself in the eyes of others so that they trust him.
In fact, Hashem specifically addressed this issue and allayed all his fears when He replied, “Do not say, ‘I am still a boy.’ Rather, go wherever I send you and speak whatever I command you!” While age is important, youth may not always be a factor.