Parshas Shoftim 5786
- Torah Tavlin
- Aug 14
- 1 min read
עורי עורי לבשי עזך ציון ... (ישעי' נב-א)
The fourth Haftorah of consolation depicts Yeshaya HaNavi exhorting Klal Yisroel to always remain true to Hashem and never lose sight of their goal in this world - serving Hashem with complete conviction and devotion. Interestingly, the word "עורי" - “awaken” was used twice by the Navi while underscoring his point, so what is the significance of this double wording?
R’ Shlomo Ephraim Luntschitz zt”l (Kli Yakar) explains that Yeshaya HaNavi had prayed to Hashem earlier to come to the aid of the suffering Jewish people in exile. Hashem responded that when Klal Yisroel “awakens” from their spiritual to slumber, then, and only then, will He come to their assistance and bring Mashiach. For Bnei Yisroel in exile, “awakening” to someone saying that their redemption was imminent seemed more like a fantasy than reality. Nevertheless, this “awakening” was imperative to the coming of Mashiach and so the Navi tried to get the Nation to “wake up” out of their despair and then “awaken” and redefine their priorities to reflect their old feelings of devotion to Hashem.
In times of uncertainty, people tend to look upward and wonder why calamities happen. They question Hashem’s plan and seek ways to artificially alter them. They forget that Hashem is the master of the world and no human being will ever be able to “change His mind” on anything. However, Hashem has left one avenue open to try an influence His decision - the awe-inspiring power of teshuva.