(Courtesy of Kollel Chatzos) There’s something about the power of this famous chazal that’s both comforting and compelling.

“Kol hamisabel al Yerushalayim, zoche v’roeh b’simchasa…”

Whoever mourns properly for Yerushalayim will be zoche and witness her rejoicing.

Who doesn’t long to partake in the joyous celebrations during kibutz galiyos? Who doesn’t yearn to see firsthand the Navi Yeshaya’s promises fulfilled: Yerushalayim adorned like a kallah when with her beloved children, her streets strewn with jewels, and her walls echoing with song and celebration?

And so, as we dream of being part of this wonderful future, we wish we can join this elite group of “misablei Tzion,” mourners of Tzion, so we should be included in the group of geula baalei simcha.

But it’s hard to yearn properly. We’ve been in galus for years. And we’ve been so distracted by the demands of daily living. And we’re so busy with our own little lives. So we find it hard to mourn.

Especially with the Three Weeks upon us, the question is louder than usual: what have we done to show that we really, really feel for the tza’ar haShechina?

For astute individuals in klal Yisrael, the answer is simple and straightforward. They have partnered with Kollel Chatzos and support Kollel Chatzos’ talmidei chachamim’s learning during the Three Weeks. For in these kollelim around the world, talmidei chachamim awaken at midnight, the time designated to think about the churban, to recite tikun chatzos and fulfill the words of the Zohar and Arizal. Then they learn and daven and bring a nechama to the Shechina HaKedosha.

While the summer months usually connote a relaxed vacation schedule, in the kollelim learning is even more vigorous as usual. New yungerleit have joined the city kollelim instead of the talmidei chachamim now learning upstate. And many, many Yidden have undertaken to feel the aveilus of the Three Weeks by voluntarily joining the kollelim—some for a few hours and some for a designated learning seder throughout the night.

You too can show Hashem that you want to be part of this real mourning… and may you too be zoche to join the simcha of the geulah—may it be soon in our times. Amen.