8835 —מכתב תנחומים ומשמעות הנחמה היהודית המסורתית

B"H, 10 Sivan, 5724.

Brooklyn, NY.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

It is with sorrow that I learned of your loss, and in addition to sharing in your grief, please convey to his daughter and the family—even though I do not know them personally—my blessing of comfort: "HaMakom yenachem otam betoch she'ar avelei Tzion v'Yerushalayim" (May the Omnipresent comfort them among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem).

This customary and traditional phrase contains two points to consider: (a) Regarding the sorrow itself—it connects the individual's pain with that of the community. Just as the destruction of Zion and Jerusalem is a national mourning for all our people, so too is personal mourning, since all of Israel is one body. Therefore, it becomes easier to bear grief and sorrow. (b) Regarding consolation—just as the consolation of Zion and Jerusalem is certain and fundamental to our faith (to the extent that it is said: "Whoever mourns for Jerusalem will merit seeing its consolation and joy"), so too is personal mourning. The purpose of mourning is teshuvah (see Rambam Hilchot Avel end ch. 13), and true consolation will certainly come from He who comforts Zion and rebuilds Jerusalem.

With respect.

Summary

The Rebbe teaches that Jewish words of comfort connect personal loss to communal hope for redemption. Mourning unites us with all Israel; just as we are certain Jerusalem will be rebuilt, so too will every mourner ultimately find comfort from Above.