רב לך שבת בעמק הבכא והוא יחמול עליך חמלה
Rav lach sheves b’emek ha’bacha, v’Hu yachmol alayich chemlah.
During the weekdays, Klal Yisrael is enveloped in hardship. The position of our nation is such that in galus, exile, we are considered insignificant. The only time our name comes to the fore is when we are harassed and made to suffer physical and emotional scorn and degradation. This all changes on Shabbos as a spirit of kedushah inspires us with deep pride in who we are, from where we originate and what is our destiny. In exile, the world views us as being in the emek ha’bacha, valley of tears. Our national status is non-existent with the destruction of the Malchus Beis Dovid and the Beis Hamikdash. When Shabbos comes, we cry out from the heart: V’Hu yachmol alayich chemlah; “He who reigns in the spiritual realm will have compassion on you.” Yes, the time has come for Rav lach sheves b’emek ha’bacha and v’Hu yachmol alayich chemlah. It is enough for you – we have been away long enough – we have shed torrents of tears. We want to go home. On Shabbos, this feeling, this longing, infuses us with strength and hope.
