This week’s haftarah begins with the words (Yeshayah 40:1):נחמו נחמו עמי, יאמר אלוקיכם, "’Comfort, comfort My people,’ your G-d will say." Rashi writes that from this pasuk until the end of Sefer Yeshayah, there are words of consolation to the Jewish people, promising them a good future.
The Midrash (Yalkut Shimoni Yeshayah 445) states that the Yidden asked Yeshayahu whether his comforting words of prophecy were only to the Yidden of his generation who experienced the Churban or if they also applied to the future generations. Yeshayahu replied, "I console all generations. It doesn't state אלוקיכם אמר, "Hashem said" [in the past tense]. Rather, the pasuk states יאמר אלוקיכם, "Your G-d will say," in the future. Hashem comforts the Jewish nation in every generation and promises them a better future. Therefore, Minhag Tov writes, "You should be happy and welcome Shabbos Nachamu with joy and a happy heart. You will be comforted with many condolences. Hashem will console us with the redemption of Yerushalayim."
Also, the Maharil states that on Shabbos Nachamu, "The entire nation shall be happy and trust in the condolences of the redeemer." This should be our attitude on Shabbos Nachamu. We should be happy because we believe that good days are coming. בן שועיב (a student of the Rashba) writes, "It's a mitzvah to celebrate this Shabbos as though it were a Yom Tov." The Ritva writes, "Therefore, there's a custom to make a seudah on the Shabbos after Tisha b'Av (Shabbos Nachamu)."
We don't know exactly what this means because we have a seudah on this Shabbos anyway. Perhaps it means we should have a larger meal on Shabbos Nachamu. But one thing is for sure: it is a time for joy and trust in Hashem's salvation.
On Shabbos Nachamu, we are also consoled on a personal, individual level. Everyone has their own needs and hopes for their personal geulah. For some, it is parnassah; others await salvation for health, and there are endless other examples. This Shabbos, Hashem consoles us and tells us to trust in the better days of the future.
