For three weeks, we commemorate the defeat of our nation with the destruction of the two Holy Temples and the subsequent exiles. In contrast to other ancient civilizations, our dispersion did not result in our assimilation to our host countries. For close to two millennia our heritage of Torah and mitzvoth persevered despite constant persecution, tragedy and challenge.
The Haftarah (portion of the prophets) that we read this week during Shabbat morning services contains the secret to our miraculous endurance. G-d ordained the prophet Yirmiyahu (Jeremiah) to communicate perhaps the harshest messages to the Jews, rebuking them for forsaking their covenant with G-d and foretelling the impending tragedies to come. The bible records a fascinating exchange between G-d and Yirmiyahu before he received the prophecy of doom (Jeremiah 1:4-10):
And the word of the L-rd came to me, saying: When I had not yet formed you in the womb, I knew you, and when you had not yet emerged from the womb, I had appointed you; a prophet to the nations I made you. And I said, "Alas, O L-rd G-d! Behold, I know not to speak for I am a youth. And the L-rd said to me; Say not, "I am a youth," for wherever I send you, you shall go, and whatever I command you, you shall speak. Fear them not, for I am with you to save you, says the Lord… Behold, I have appointed you over the nations and over the kingdoms, to uproot and to crush, and to destroy and to demolish, to build and to plant.
Jeremiah feels inadequate to get the job done and he is reassured that he will succeed because G-d is with him.
This powerful message of hope sets the tone for the Jewish experience of exile. Our dispersion is not simply a punishment for our communal iniquities. It is the setting in which we are meant to reach greater spiritual heights and accomplish greater spiritual feats than we were capable of during the Temple era.
It is a difficult mission. Rife with pitfalls and danger zones. Embarking on this journey was a terrifying experience. Therefore, G-d sends us the reassuring message that He is with us throughout. As long as we remain conscious of His presence, nothing can stand in our way.
In our defeat, we became closer to G-d than ever before. It is up to us to tap into this powerful and encouraging reality and to reveal the inherent good within creation through the following our eternal guide, the Torah, and inspiring others to follow suit. We will surely succeed and merit the arrival of Moshiach and the era of ultimate good for all of creation.