CHOCHMAS NASHIM: EIKEV: AYEKA/WHERE ARE YOU?
By: Suri Davis
Deuteronomy 7:17: “When you say to your heart, the enemy outnumbers me, eichah/how can I conquer them.”
Deuteronomy 8:5: “And know in your heart, that as a man censures his child, so too does G-d censure/punish you.”
During the three weeks between the surrounding of the walls of Jerusalem and the destruction of the holy temple, we use the word “eichah/how can I” many times in our torah readings and as the first word of Lamentations read on Tisha B’av. Those same letters, in the exact same order, but with different vowels is the word ayeka/where are you?
Doubt starts in the heart. When that spark of doubt is kindled, it starts building a factual case around itself to justify its doubt. The heart contains love as well, and an antidote to doubt of G-d’s omnipotence, is to know that G-d loves us as a father loves his son, and censures him so that man can actualize his potential.
When Adam sinned the very first sin, G-d calls out to Adam, Ayeka, where are you? I know that you sinned, but I am your father, I look for you, and know that I have not abandoned you. The answer to the question of where are you, is I’m here in this place/makom, please find me. When Jews comfort a Jewish mourner, we say G-d should comfort the mourner, and the name for G-d which we use is Hamakom/the place. When a mourner is suffering the loss of a loved one, G-d becomes the place, that place where man is when he is suffering, physically, emotionally and spiritually.
Eichah/how can I bare to, Ayeka, because no matter how much man sins, G-d looks for him, and comforts him as a father to his son. Eichah isn’t merely how can I, its meaning is how can I without the help of G-d with me.
After Tisha B’av until Rosh Hashanah we ask G-d to comfort us, to help us carry our burdens and help us succeed in our tasks, one of which is to do mitzvoth so we merit the final redemption speedily in our days.
Good Shabbos.
-Suri