Chazal teach us: Yerushalayim was destroyed because of groundless hatred (Yoma 9b). Fortunately, we are also informed of the antidote: Shalom. And though it sometimes seems as if peace only exists in some far-off dream, this week’s parsha – in which fantastic dreams are very much a common theme – we are shown that shalom is in fact a great dream to have. And all of this, ladies and gentlemen, reminded me of a song.
There’s latkes, dreidels, sufganiyot and Dov Frimer’s Al Hanisim.
When the Navi Noson revealed that his son Shlomo would perform the task of building the Beis Hamikdash, it prompted Dovid to sing this most captivating kappital.
Suddenly, amidst all the noise, a wail pierced through the heavens. Mamma Rochel, hearing her children’s cries, began weeping bitterly for her children. She was inconsolable. Her children were in pain! Yes, they had sinned. Yes, they even deserved what was coming to them. But they were her children!
When we daven, we are strengthening this d’veykus with Hashem, and thereby creating an Eis Ratzon – an opportune moment in time that has the power to transform Din into Chessed, judgement into abundant kindness. How fortunate we are!