Nachamu, Nachamu Ami - Comfort, Comfort My People. -Yeshayahu 40 : 1
Shabbos Nachamu is the Shabbos following the fast of Tisha B'Av, three weeks of darkness and destruction. When HaShem's consoles the Jewish people for the destruction of both the first and second Beis HaMikdash, and the promis that a third Beis HaMikdask will be built after the coming of the Moshiach.
It was not Shabbos Nachamu, still the words followed me the whole Shabbos. Many stories and thoughts kept coming back, part of our people living far away from a Jewish community. Our beautiful faith should be shared. But how do we do that when we are shattered to all four corners of the world and some of us even living remote, feels like a piece of me been missing.
Living a Jewish life is the Torah way of life. Every day anew with hope's and dreams. "Is the Moshiach here," Not yet, we say. We do not give up and we are waiting everyday for the Moshiach to come.
Often I think of our people at a Shabbos seudah or on the Seder Table at Pesach. Alone, but hopefully with everything to sanctify Shabbos or having a Seder. Do they hear the shofar blowing in shul on Rosh Hashanah? Purim, how do they celebrate Purim? Yom Kippur the holiest day of the year, when we are the closest to HaShem, or sitting alone in the Sukkah.
The Rebbe response to someone in a similar situation;
" Regarding what you asked about where one lives, the deciding factor is not where will be personally best for the individual, or most pleasant to live, but where one can accomplish more good and where one is most needed. In truth, every person needs to heal their surroundings, to bring more light and holiness. "
A warmhearted consolation is that a Yid is never alone, HaShem is always with us.
Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai tells us that every place where Jewish people are exiled, the Divine Presence is together with them. HaShem goes together with every Jew, in every country, every neighbourhood, and in every street; HaShem accompanies us and is staying with us, until the very last moment of golus. HaShem will return together with us from golus.
Whether someone is living alone, or coping with fear and loneliness, then they should connect to HaShem. Our neshama is also estranged in this world, as it is a piece of HaShem, which comes down to the material world for a Divine purpose. Our neshama desires to be connected to HaShem.
Just as a flame is always drawn upwards, having an innate desire to separate from the wick and ascend upwards, so, too, the neshama has a desire to leave the body and reunite in its Root and Source—the “Living Life” - HaShem, blessed be He… The soul is incarcerated in a physical body - Tanya.
I have a cheilek Elokah Mima'al Mamash - just like all Jews - which means literally a part of HaShem, Who is in “exile” within my body for the purpose to reunite to the root of our source.
When there is darkness all around us, when we are fearful. There is a time to connect to HaShem through Torah and davening, and then there is a time when we must bring light of Torah unto this world. Making a home for HaShem.
We are Jewish, we don't change who we are. We are not here to fit in. We are here because HaShem has chosen us from among all nations. A mission to unite Jews worldwide, and share the knowlegde of a 3,300 years tradition, rituals and faith. I find comfort in every letter of the Torah. A precious gift that I treasure.
I do believe that no Jew should ever be lost to his or her own people, no Jew must ever feel lonely! HaShem is right besides us, holding our hand. Comforting His people.