Over the last few weeks, irrespective of the joy inherent in any given Shabbos, we recited "Av horachamim", recalling the many kedoshim killed for their allegiance to Torah. This minhag, rooted in the pogroms egged on by the post-Pesach blood libels as well as in the mourning of Rabbi Akiva's students, all create a despondent mood over the month that should joyfully conjoin the redemption of Pesach to the charge of Shavuos. That Hashem chose this season to confirm our return to Israel and to miraculously return to us Yerushalyiam and the surrounding mountains should strengthen our prayers that we be the generation that welcomes messianic times.
This timing finds expression in tomorrow's haftorah, as we should come to realize that we have witnessed yet another prophecy of ancient times come to life (Hoshea 2:16), "Assuredly, I will speak coaxingly to her and lead her through the wilderness and speak to her tenderly. I will give her her vineyards from there..." Which wilderness? How does Hashem coax us? How does he lead us tenderly? Surely, this is another prophecy that we have witnessed and now understand in a way that no previous generation could. Yalkut Shimoni explains to us that it is the wilderness of Yehuda, the area whose return to our people fifty-five years ago we celebrated last week. Thus we now realize that the miracles of its return to us comprises the coaxing tender words that Hoshea foresaw.
Additionally, what troubled earlier times as seemingly disconnected pesukim so accurately describe our times (Hosea 2, 14-15), "I will lay waste her vines and her fig trees...I will turn them into brushwood, and beasts of the field shall devour them. Thus will I punish her for the days of the Ba'alim, on which she brought them offerings; when, decked with earrings and jewels, she would go after her lovers, forgetting Me - declares the L-rd. Assuredly, I will speak coaxingly to her and lead her through the wilderness... and I will espouse you forever...with righteousness and justice...and with goodness and mercy..."
Without attributing the about face to any deed, desire, or deal, we are simply told that Hashem changed course, abruptly embracing an undeserving rebellious generation. We, too, lived through the abruptness of the miracles of the Six Day War and can certainly not venture to find rhyme or reason for them. Yet we did see it and did witness one of the greatest teshuva movements since the time of Yoshiyahua Hamelech which reverberates to this day, over half a century later.
Indeed, we would now opt for the heart-warming interpretation of the Metzudas simply because we saw it come to life. In contrast to many earlier commentators who saw the metaphor of being led into the wilderness as being pushed into a barren and foreboding place, Metzudas sees this new phase as finding ourselves in a serene desert isle with our Father. According to Metzudas, this phase does not describe further and appropriate distance and confrontation, but rather a seeming almost impulsive rapprochement, finding ourselves connected and alone with Hashem. Is there a better description of the aftermath of those six days in June 1967?
Finally, our new perspective sheds commentary on the parsha which finds us in a desert on our journey from galus Mitzrayim to our redemptive entry into Israel. Now we understand that the midbar-desert, which is the context of the fourth of the five books, is not the desert of distance but rather the desert isle of desire and delivery.
May we all merit to continue to witness the prophecies of old come alive for the good and appreciate that privilege with increased faith and commitment which will speed up the wheels of geula.