MY CONVERSATION
In this week’s Haftorah we read the prophecy of Yeshayahu (Isaiah) in which he talks to Yerushalayim in the name of HaShem “Lift up your eyes, look around and see that everyone is coming to you. Your sons are coming from distant lands and your daughters will be raised at their side.”
As I review this portion, I am reminded of a conversation I had in Kharkov, Belarus 200 years ago. (This conversation is actually a product of my imagination.)
I was sitting with a dear friend of mine who was not religious and although he believed that the Jewish people are distinct he nevertheless could not believe that Moshiach will usher in a new era in which the world will be enlightened recognizing HaShem in His Greatness and in the unique relationship that we have with Him. He asked me what it says in our siddur. I talked about the Shemoneh Esrei gave and for an example I discussed 10th bracha. We pray to Ha-Shem to gather in all the members of our people and bring us to our Land. My friend looked at me incredulously “Do you really think that this will really occur?! Do you not realize that the Jews of Yemen have lived there for close to 2,500 years! The Jews of Persia have lived there for almost the same amount of time. The Jews of Morocco and the Jews of The Caucasus and so on have all been living in their respective countries for centuries. Do you also not real-ize that our Land which you refer to has not been settled for thousands of years. Do you really believe that all the Jews of the world will return to this Land and settle it?!”
I am a very understanding person and recognized that my friend did not accept the words of Yeshayahu as being the Word of HaShem. I responded to him that while I under-stand that he does not believe that this will happen nevertheless, as Jews we know that what the prophet says in the name of HaShem will not return empty. And since we know that HaShem has so promised us, we wait anxiously for the fulfillment of this. That is why we ask this request three times a day for the entire duration of our history.
Although this conversation did not take place 200 hundred years ago, it did occur 25 years ago. I did have a close friend who, like my friend from Kharkov, could not believe in the idea of Moshiach. It was with him that I shared my previous story. Upon concluding my story I turned to him and explained that today we will not have that discussion because it already happened exactly as the prophet said! We are witnesses to the incredible fulfillment of Yeshayahu’s prophecy. My friend from Kharkov, 200 years ago was justified for being skeptical about it. And yet it has happened. There are no Jewish communities left in Yemen, none in Iraq and very few Jews are left in Morocco as well as many other places. Our beautiful Land is truly populated and thriving, the likes of which nobody could have ever contemplated.
If the first part of his prophecy has already been fulfilled we can be certain that the second part will certainly hap-pen.
As we approach Rosh Hashanah when we turn our focus on the revelation of HaShem’s Sovereignty, this week’s Haftorah makes this dream so real. May our uninterrupted waiting for his imminent arrival be met with great joy soon in our days.
Have a very wonderful Shabbos.
Paysach Diskind