Why Do We?

…Have such simchah on Shabbos Nachamu?

You’re not the first to ask that question! Reb Shlomo Carlebach’s father, Rav Naftoli Carlebach, one Tisha B’Av night, was sitting on the floor, fasting, in the darkness of his house, and weeping. His young 3 year old son, Shlomo, heard the sounds and came out of bed. “Tatte, what’s wrong?” he asked. “Why are you crying?” “I am crying because the Beis Hamikdash was destroyed,” his father answered. The young boy went back to bed, and eventually fell asleep, tears rolling down his cheeks. The day of Tisha B’Av passes, and he goes to bed again – but he awakens to noises coming from the kitchen. He tiptoes out of bed, and sees his parents sitting on chairs, lights on, and eating! He starts to dance! And dance! Twirling around the room – his father stops him. “Shlomele what are you doing?” After all it was Motzoi Tisha B’Av. “Why are you dancing?” The young boy answered, shocked, “Last night you were sitting on the floor, fasting and crying because the Beis Hamikdash was destroyed! Tonight you are eating, and sitting on a chair – because the Beis Hamikdash must have been rebuilt!” Reb Naftoli began to cry. “No.” he answered. “The Beis Hamikdash was not rebuilt…..” 

So why are we so happy on Shabbos Nachamu? We are still in galus! The seforim say that in this week’s Haftorah, we say “Nachamu, Nachamu”; we say the word twice. Once for the good times, and once for when things are difficult. Nechamah doesn’t require words. Just being there for someone comforts them. It says , “You are not alone!” Hashem says “Be comforted. I’m right here.” The simchah is that we understand that If we are still here, Hashem wants us to be here, and He is always by our side. And while we are in galus, He is in galus, and He’ll never let go – no matter what – until Moshiach comes! And that is cause for tremendous simchah!