Excerpting: “A Most Meaningful Tishah B’Av” by Rabbi Yechiel Spero. ArtScroll Mesorah Publications. 2024. English. Hardcover. 324 pages. ISBN-13: 978-1422641392.

(Courtesy of Artscroll)

Kinnah 28- אֵיךְ תְּנַחֲמֽוּנִי

אֵיךְ תְּנַחֲמֽוּנִי הֶֽבֶל, וְכִנּוֹרִי נֶהְפַּךְ לְאֵֽבֶל…

How can you comfort me when my harp, which used to play happy songs, only plays songs of mourning…

Introduction:

This Kinnah speaks about the great tragedy of the Churban and how hard it is to find true comfort. It goes through the four kingdoms that ruled over the Jews: (1) Bavel, who destroyed the first Beis HaMikdash; (2) Paras and Madai, who ruled around the time of Purim; (3) Yavan, who ruled around the time of Chanukah; and (4) Edom/Rome, who destroyed the second Beis HaMikdash. Galus Edom is not yet over.

Background:

We still suffer from the Churban today, even though it happened two thousand years ago. Our land isn’t fully rebuilt and it’s not ruled by the type of king the Torah speaks about. In galus, we’re surrounded by non-Jews who don’t like us.We are in a very sad situation, even nowadays.

In this Kinnah, we ask: How can we be comforted?

And the answer is: Hashem is the only One Who can bring proper hope and comfort. He is the One Who can and will bring the geulah. He is the One Who will help us rebuild.

There is a plant named the Rose of Jericho, which can survive seven years without any moisture. Hashem made it in a way that in times of dry weather, it curls up, forming a little ball, in which it protects itself until the rainy season. Then it opens itself up to the rain, blossoming and growing again.

The Rose of Jericho teaches us a lesson. Sometimes, we find ourselves in a situation where we feel all dried up, like we have no more strength. But Hashem can come along and sprinkle a little moisture — send a little chizuk, a little hope, a little encouragement — upon us, and we find that our strength is renewed.

It’s Hashem Who can and will comfort us. And until that day, He’s the One Who gives us strength to make it through the hard times.

A Story:

Rav Yosef Chaim Sonnenfeld, the great gaon (genius) and tzaddik, lived in Yerushalayim in the late 1800s and early 1900s. In those days, there were some serious diseases that had no cure or treatment. Many children died from these illnesses, including several of Rav Yosef Chaim’s sons and daughters. As he sat shivah for his children, he mourned and he cried, but he didn’t give up. He remained strong in his emunah. When shivah was over, he returned to his routine.

Someone asked Rav Yosef Chaim how he was able to keep going, and he explained, “A person standing on firm, solid ground expects the ground to hold him. But when the earth begins to shake and there is an earthquake, it’s normal to become worried. However, if a person doesn’t expect the ground to hold him up, but instead holds onto a rope that comes from above, then even an earthquake cannot make him lose his balance.

“The reason I’m able to stand on the ground is not because the ground is firm. It’s because Hashem holds me up. As we say in the morning berachos, Hashem is ‘roka ha’aretz al hamayim — He spreads out the earth upon the waters.’ He’s the One Who holds up the earth, whether it’s firm or shaky. He’s the One I hold onto. He is my rope.

“There may be times in which I feel as if my world is shaking. This is what it feels like when my beloved children pass away. Even during these tough times, I hold onto the rope that reaches up to Hashem in Shamayim. And I hold onto Him. That’s how I am able to keep going.”

A Lesson:

Even if you are, chas v’shalom, going through tough times, hold onto Hashem. He is the One Who will give you strength to handle whatever comes your way. And He is the One Who will bring you nechamah.

Reprinted from “A Most Meaningful Tishah B’Av” by Rabbi Yechiel Spero with permission from the copyright holder, ArtScroll Mesorah Publications.