In Parshas Shoftim, Moshe Rabbeinu continues his farewell address and further prepares his flock for their imminent entry into Eretz Yisroel. “Tzedek, tzedek tirdof…” – Justice, justice shall you pursue, so that you may live and take possession of the Land which Hashem is giving you. Moshe implores, “Tamim tihyeh im Hashem Elokecha…” – Be complete with Hashem, walk with Him with perfect trust. Whatever happens as life unfolds, know with certainty that Hashem has designed it for our ultimate good. Hashem’s chosen people need only wholehearted emunah and bitachon to enjoy all that He has promised them.
As we know, things haven’t gone as smoothly as we had hoped since these historic words were first spoken. The ups & downs that have accompanied us on our journey through our assorted exiles speak to this fact. The haftorahs of the past two weeks foretell a time when Klal Yisroel, after all they have been through, are no longer content with consolations offered by Nevi’im – instead they long for the comfort of Hashem alone.
In this week’s haftorah, the fourth of the Shivah D’nechemtah, after briefly reprimanding us for forgetting our Creator for fear of human and finite oppressors, Yeshaya HaNavi predicts that Hashem Himself will comfort us after he conquers all of our enemies. In what are some the most heartening words ever spoken, the Navi Yeshaya then extols the beauty of the messenger who will announce the good tidings of Redemption:
“Ma navu al heharim…” – How pleasant are the footsteps of the herald upon the mountains announcing peace, good tidings, and salvation. Chazal identify the herald as Eliyahu HaNavi, who will come to announce the imminent Geulah.
“Kol tzofa’yich nasu kol…” – The lookouts who are stationed on the city walls and watch towers will see Eliyahu approaching. They will hear Eliyahu proclaim the long-awaited news, then in unison they will start to sing a joyous song.
“Pitzchu, raninu yachdav…” – Upon hearing the jubilant song of the lookouts, the ruins of Yerushalayim will join in, as it were, because Hashem will have finally comforted His people! He will have redeemed Yerushalayim by returning her children from their long and bitter exile. The time has come – the Geulah has arrived! (Yeshayahu 52:7-9).
Prophecies such as this one have sustained us throughout millennia more or less filled with much discouragement and suffering. Klal Yisroel’s national existence has always been brightened by the knowledge that Hashem is nearby, longing for us to let Him bring the Mashmia Shalom, the Mevaser Tov, the Mashmia Yeshuah.
When it comes to finding just the right tune to convey the message in the words of a song, there might not be anyone more able than the inspired songwriter, Yossi Green. “The words of מַה נָּאווּ עַל הֶהָרִים are filled with radiance and light for me,” says the gifted composer. “I had been looking at them for years and wondering when I would get the inspiration to be able to express what I personally see in them.”
The result? Ma Nuvi is a song that captures the incredible exuberance that will take place in the very near future. It is sung by the sweet and sensational Yiddish Nachas boys choir, and appears on their 2020 fourth volume called Emunah U’bitachon. Brilliantly interpreted by the young arranger Yehuda Galili, this magnificent melody not only appropriately portrays the words of the haftorah, but it also gives us a glimpse of the genuine hope and anticipation felt by its acclaimed composer.
We all eagerly await the celebration that will occur when Eliyahu HaNavi arrives to herald the coming of Moshiach. At long last he fulfills his holy mission. He rejoices! The entire world rejoices! Our suffering comes to an end. Yerushalayim is revived, rejuvenated, and restored to her former glory, consoled together with her children who have come back home. The moment we have all been waiting for all these years has finally happened! Moshiach is revealed!
כִּי נִחַם הַשֵׁם עַמּוֹ – Hashem has comforted His nation!!
He will be here soon. Let’s all listen for the footsteps…
Wishing you a very righteous Shabbos!
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