Console the Father

This week, we bless the month of Menachem Av. Rosh Chodesh Menachem Av which begins the time period lasting until Tisha B’Av, known as the “Nine Days”. For more information, please visit: www.3weeks.org

The literal meaning of “Menachem Av ” is “Consoling the Father.” The Jewish people console their Father in Heaven, as it were. And G-d, our Father, is in need of consolation, in light of the statement of our Sages that G-d says: “Woe to the Father who exiled His children.”

A Jew wishes for consolation during this month. But he wants consolation not so much for himself as for his Father.

Exile affects not only the Jewish people; the Shechinah , too, is in exile, as it were. The Jews’ redemption is thus a redemption for the Shechinah as well. Understandably, the redemption of the Shechinah is of greatest import. This is why Menachem Av — “Consolation of the Father” emphasizes G-d’s consolation.

Still, we must understand why it is that Menachem Av does not mention the sons’ consolation — the consolation of the Jewish people.

This is because a Jew is rooted so deeply in G-d that his wants, desires, state of exile, etc., are not considered his alone; if he is exiled, his Father is automatically in a state of exile, as it were. Conversely, the Father’s consolation is the consolation of His children. There can therefore be no greater consolation for the children than Menachem Av — the “Consolation of the Father.”

May we merit it NOW!

Shabbat Shalom!

Candle lighting time in NYC is on Friday before 8:09 PM