It is impossible for a Jew to forget Yerushalayim. When he eats, when he prays, when he suffers, when he celebrates, when he weds, when he builds a home, and even when he dreams, he thinks of Yerushalayim. A Yid cannot forget Yerushalayim because he simply can’t live without it.
This Shabbos, when we once again hear these familiar, prophetic phrases, we can be comforted with the knowledge that this arduous exile will eventually end, and that when it does, the promise of achdus and nechamah will finally be fulfilled.
After people experience a loss r’l, as time passes, they eventually forget some of the pain. The hurt eases and people can eventually move on. However, just as Yaakov Avinu could not be consoled after hearing of Yosef’s demise because really Yosef was still alive, the same is true here. The fact that after nearly two thousand years we have not forgotten the Beis Hamikdash and we are still able to cry over its absence, demonstrates that the Beis Hamikdash is still alive.
This Shabbos, it is especially fitting that we keep in mind the words of Retzei: “…she’lo te’hei tzarah v’yagon va’anacha b’yom menuchaseinu…,” that there be no distress, no grief, no pain or suffering for ourselves or for any of our fellow Yidden, “v’hareinu Hashem Elokeinu b’nechamas Tzion irecha…,” that we merit to bear witness to the ultimate comfort – the nechamas Tzion – with the immediate rebuilding of the Beis Hamikdash.
While time heals a mourner’s pain, the discomfort that we feel for the loss of the Beis Hamikdash can only be remedied by it being rebuilt. Only then will we have our true nechama – “Nachamu, Nachamu Ami yomar Elokeichem…..”