But how can we feel uplifted by such strong and bitter rebuke? Who wants to deepen his/her connection to such an unpleasant and unhappy community? And who is really able to overcome the deep wounds and mistakes of the past?
Rabbi Joseph Soloveitchik, the universally acknowledged leader of the Orthodox movement in the 20th Century, addressed this question. Generally, we find ourselves stuck or paralyzed by our past. We are unable to get to a higher future place because our past rules our present. Our natural instinct, according to Rabbi Soloveitchik is to think of time within the continuum of past, present and future. This is wrong!
The formula for change, the formula for true teshuva, repentance, is to see the continuum of time in an entirely new way. Future, past, present – that is the time continuum that we must embrace. We begin with a vision of the future. With our vision of the future, we then will have the courage to confront our past. Ultimately, confronting our past with a vision of our future will enable us to make today what we hope it can be.
And thus, we must understand that the three haftarah portions of rebuke, preceding Tisha B'Av were placed within the context of a larger vision. It is a vision that continues with seven (7) weekly portions of comfort. All of which culminate and conclude with Rosh HaShannah and Yom Kippur and our highest opportunity to remake ourselves and the world in which we live.
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