Parshas Re'eh 5785
- Torah Tavlin
- Aug 22
- 2 min read
עניה סערה ... בפוך אבניך ויסדתיך בספירים ... (ישעי' נד-יא)
While we would normally read "מחר חדש" when Shabbos falls out on Erev Rosh Chodesh, during the שבעה דנחמתא we do not do so. Thus, in this week’s Haftorah, Yeshaya HaNavi describes Klal Yisroel as, “Unhappy, storm-tossed one, uncomforted” - like an abandoned girl shivering from a wind storm with no one to console her. However, the Navi ends the statement by saying that Hashem will lay precious stones in the foundations of the future buildings of Yerushalayim. But how does this help the “abandoned girl” - Klal Yisroel? After all, the issue is not of wealth but rather of abandonment.
It is possible to answer this based on a myriad of opinions of Chazal who agree that the words used by the Navi - "בפוך אבניך ויסדתיך בספירים" - has a deeper reference than just their simple meaning. The Rashash and Radak both quote Rav Saadya Gaon zt”l who explains that these were in fact the stones used on the Choshen worn by the Kohen Gadol. They weren’t just precious stones worth a fortune. Rather, they represented the twelve shevatim and Klal Yisroel as a whole.
Thus, in times where the nation was so down and feeling abandoned, what better symbolism could Hashem show them than the emblematic gesture of rebuilding Yerushalayim with the stones of the Choshen as its foundation stones? The symbolism serves not only as a hint of future wealth and prosperity, but also as a gesture from Hashem to His children letting them know that He has not, and will not, abandon us.
May we merit to see the Geula speedily and in our days.