From Mourning to Consolation: The Seven Haftarot of Comfort

From Destruction to Consolation: A Spiritual Shift

Following the three Haftarot (selections from the prophets read after the Torah reading in the synagogue each Shabbat) of rebuke read during the Three Weeks leading up to Tisha B’Av (Ninth of Av), we enter a new phase known as the Shiv’ah D’Nechemta, the seven weeks of consolation. These seven Haftarot are read from the Shabbat following Tisha B’Av through the end of the Jewish month of Elul. Each one is drawn from the prophecies of Yeshayahu (Isaiah) and is centered on messages of comfort to the Jewish people, who are deep in mourning for the destruction of the Beit HaMikdash (Holy Temple).

The Haftarot of Comfort: Weekly Messages of Hope

Each of the seven Haftarot carries a unique message of healing and renewal:

• Nachamu (Isaiah 40:1–26) – for Parshat Va’etchanan

• VaTomar Tzion (Isaiah 49:14–51:3) – for Parshat Eikev

• Aniyah So’arah (Isaiah 54:11–55:5) – for Parshat Re’eh

• Anochi (Isaiah 51:12–52:12) – for Parshat Shoftim

• Roni Akarah (Isaiah 54:1–10) – for Parshat Ki Teitzei

• Kumi Ori (Isaiah 60:1–22) – for Parshat Ki Tavo

• Sos Asis (Isaiah 61:10–63:9) – for Parshat Nitzavim or Nitzavim-Vayeilech

The purpose of these Haftarot is to uplift the Jewish people during exile. Despite the hardships of the Diaspora, our Sages instituted these readings to instill hope and strengthen the nation, reminding us that every passing year of exile brings us closer to redemption. The love and encouragement that Hashem showers upon His people through these prophetic words renew faith and give strength for the future.

Faith Amid Exile: Messages from the Prophets

These Haftarot transition us from the sorrow of the “Three Weeks” to an atmosphere of encouragement. The heaviness of mourning gives way to feelings of hope. As Yeshayahu proclaims: “Awaken, awaken, arise O Jerusalem... Behold, I have taken from your hand the cup of reeling... and I will place it into the hand of your tormentors” (Isaiah 57). Just as the prophecies of destruction came to pass, so too will the prophecies of comfort.

We are promised that the future goodness awaiting us will far surpass the suffering we have endured. Not only will the Jewish people be restored, but the goodness will overflow beyond human comprehension. With this faith, we draw strength and anticipation for a brighter future.

Rabbi Don Isaac Abarbanel, in his commentary on the later Prophets, explains that the purpose of these comforting prophecies is to prevent the people from falling into despair during exile. He lists the doubts that plagued the hearts of Israel: their dwindling numbers, the loss of sovereignty, the fear that their sins disqualified them from redemption, the perceived abandonment by Hashem, and the humiliation of foreign rule.

According to the prophecies, the nation will come to understand that exile was not a random punishment. It was a necessary cleansing. Redemption will come because the nation has been sufficiently punished. Abarbanel also outlines the goals of these prophecies: retribution against the nations that overstepped their bounds in punishing Israel, the end of foreign rule, the ingathering of the exiles, a redemption like the Exodus, repentance, the restoration of the Davidic monarchy, national unity, global recognition of Hashem’s kingship, and universal peace.

A Dialog of Consolation: The Poetic Structure of the Haftarot

The Avudraham poetically arranged the opening lines of the seven Haftarot into a dialogue between Hashem and the nation. First, Hashem commands the prophets: “Nachamu nachamu ami” (“Comfort, comfort My people”). Israel responds with pain: “VaTomar Tzion: Hashem has forsaken me.” The prophets reply to Hashem: “Aniyah so’arah lo nuchama” (Israel is too distraught to be comforted). Hashem then responds directly: “Anochi Anochi Hu menachemchem” (“I, I am the One who comforts you”). The voices of comfort continue with “Roni akarah” and “Kumi ori,” calls for joy and light. At last, the nation, consoled, replies: “Sos asis baHashem” (“I will greatly rejoice in Hashem").

These seven weeks of consolation are also spiritual preparation. As we move closer to the High Holy Days, the messages of hope, Divine love, and ultimate redemption embedded in these Haftarot invite us to trust in Hashem’s promises and prepare ourselves for the light to come.