“Prepare to Be Comforted,” Rabbi Elaine Zecher’s Shabbat Awakenings
August 8, 2025 | 14 Av 5785
Welcome to Shabbat Awakenings, a weekly reflection, as we make our way toward Shabbat. You can also listen to it as a podcast.
For the next seven weeks, as we ascend to the moment in time when the world bursts forth renewed and anew through the celebration of Rosh Hashanah, we will focus on the work our heart must undertake in preparation. This week, in particular, grounds us and lays the foundation with the way the prophet, Isaiah (40:1) coaxed the people:
Nachamu, Nachamu — נַחֲמ֥וּ נַחֲמוּ — Take comfort, take comfort.
In the early part of the 6th century BCE, the people of Judea had been taken captive by the Babylonians and sent into exile. They were forlorn, in despair, and yearning to return home. Their hearts were broken from the great distance of their spiritual home.
But Isaiah knew there was hope. The Persians had gained control of the land, and their leader, Cyrus, announced his intent to allow the exiles back into the land.
Isaiah could speak to the heart’s desire.
The words of comfort awakened them to the possibility of being embraced again, of being welcomed back from a feeling of loneliness, of ending exile because of despair, loss, and darkness.
Isaiah urged:
Nachamu, Nachamu, Take comfort, take comfort, and then reminded the exiles — ami — עַמִּ֑י — my people.
The relationship with God never ceased to exist. It may have been dormant. As God’s mouthpiece, Isaiah aroused their hearts:
Nachamu: wherever you are at this moment, allow the possibility, let hope take hold;
Nachamu: in a positive, proactive sense, find comfort in returning — not in a stagnant state of suffering, return. Come back home.
Isaiah provides us a compass for our way back, just as he did for the exiles 25 centuries ago. We are, in a metaphorical way, like the exiles of the 6th century BCE to whom Isaiah addressed himself. In this moment of time, we have become distracted by so much of what is happening at home and around the world.
The next verse begins with a familiar word: Dibru: “Speak” connotes connection. The words are not just spoken, but they are received as well because they come from the heart. Notice the language: Dibru al lev. דַּבְּר֞וּ עַל־לֵ֤ב — Speak from the heart. (40:2)
Lev represents the heart and the mind. It contains thoughtful intention attached to the action taken. The tone is complete comfort, not strict command, not rebuke. In the language of his day, Isaiah wanted them to understand that it was possible for there to be a path between them and God for reconciliation.
We experience valleys of despair. At times, the obstacles may seem like mountains, the path tumultuous and yet, as we seek to prepare for the High Holidays, the path before us has the potential to smooth out. We are not alone in our pain, our loneliness, our distance; nor were the exiles in Babylon.
Later in this passage, Isaiah noted that grasses wither and flowers fade, but somehow there remains a Force in the Universe, a Greater Power than humanity which lifts us out of ruin, as a people and as individuals.
The people lost everything except God who renews their power, their hope, their strength.
How much do we feel removed from our spiritual selves?
Isaiah instructed the people: Raise your voice with power. Raise it, have no fear. And then recognize 25 centuries ago and today: God has great might coupled with tender compassion. We are not so far away.
Lift your eyes and see, says Isaiah. שְׂאוּ־מָר֨וֹם עֵינֵיכֶ֤ם וּרְאוּ֙ (40:26)
From deep within our hearts, we can come to understand that despite despair, desperation, and Diaspora, metaphorically or truly, we have the ability to feel the embrace of God, to find comfort, and as a result, feel empowered to move forward again to the light and inspiration of the renewal of Rosh Hashanah. Seven weeks away — including this Shabbat.
Shabbat Nachamu Shalom! שבת נחמו שלום
I look forward to hearing your thoughts and impressions. Share with me what you think. Your email goes directly to me!
Rabbi Elaine Zecher