Parshat Vaetchanan is read following the fast of the ninth of Av, Tisha B'Av. It is called the Shabbat of Consolation, which comes from the opening line of the haftarah read this week from Isaiah 40. נַֽחֲמ֥וּ נַֽחֲמ֖וּ עַמִּ֑י יֹאמַ֖ר אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶֽם or "Console, console My people," says your God.
Jewish history and the ninth of Av commemorates multiple tragedies that befell the Jewish people. During this past year, beginning with the Shabbat of Simchat Torah, a period of destruction began and the cycle of destruction continues until this day, the 9th of Av, 5785.
Tisha B'Av has a certain rhythm. Deep mourning commences the 25 hours, but as the day progresses, very slowly we shed the vestiges of mourning. Tallit (prayer shawl) and tefillin (phylacteries), usually worn during morning services, are instead worn during Minchah (the afternoon service). During Mincha, prayers that were omitted in the morning are recited. The Torah and Haftarah are the same as on other public fasts. (from My Jewish Learning)
When the day finally comes to an end we enter into a period of consolation, a path of seven weeks which leads us to the a period of introspection with the fall holidays.
Our world is cyclical. Cold winds blow and the sun is lost to us, but one day those winds cease and the sun emerges again. Our people is defined by tragedy and dispersion, but there is so much more than that. Tisha B'Av is followed by Shabbat which is our constant which binds us so much more than tragedy. Torah is a constant as are the values that it espouses.
So, let us mourn today. For those of you who put on tefillin, put them on this afternoon. Tonight drink and eat and when Shabbat approaches once again on Friday, revel in the rest it affords you.
Nachamu, nachamu, Ami.
Leann
Nachamu, Nachamu Ami*
My mother used to sing me a lullaby about babes in trees,
with winds that blow and cradles that fall.
Shluf sie ,my Zissa kind** she would whisper softly.
This is a lullaby for you, my people.
Though the branch that housed you cracked
and you may have fallen from the tree.
You have been bruised and broken,
but you have always risen, my people.
Rise, my brothers and sisters,
my sons and daughters!
Gather yourselves.
Wipe off the leaves and dirt that cling to you.
You are not broken.
Dry your eyes, my dear ones.
Ami, Nachamu, nachamu.
Stand up straight and tall,
for you are the light that is not extinguished.
Do not despair.
Yirbu yamim ***
May you know many years
May tears pass you by.
Listen, my children, and I will sing to you
of cradles and winds and people who rise once again.
Nachamu, Nachamu Ami.
Hold each other close, my people.
Sing a new lullaby.
Let our voices comfort one another
for who are we without each other?
My nation.
Ami.
My beloved people.
Ami
Be comforted
Nachamu
Nachamu
______ * ________
*Be comforted, my people
** Sleep, my sweet child
*** May your years be long
Other posts on Tisha B'Av and Parshat Va'etchanan from Words Have Wings
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