Dear Friends,
This Shabbat is known as Shabbat Nachamu, the Shabbat of Comfort. This past week, we observed Tisha B’Av, which is a national day of mourning for the destruction of both the Temples and other tragedies for Jewish people. The word Nachamu comes from the first word of this week’s Haftarah, where God offers comfort to the devastated people. On Shabbat Nachamu we gather together in song and in prayer to support one another, to comfort each other, as we move forward as a community.
Shabbat Nachamu helps us transition from what is one of the saddest days of the Jewish year, to Tu B’Av, which according to Jewish tradition is one of the happiest. Tu ‘B’Av, which this year coincides with Shabbat Nachamu, is traditionally a day set aside for matchmaking, but is observed today as a celebration of love.
As we prepare to enter this Shabbat of Comfort together, I am excited to share with you this video, from Cantor Leberman, to inspire and encourage all of us as we transition from mourning to joy with love.
Wishing you all a Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Josh Dorsch
