Welcome back to Nach Daily. Today we will finish the 5th and last chapter of Megilas Eicha. Although we’re happy to finish another Sefer of Nach, our hearts yearn for the Beis Hamikdash to be rebuilt. The Gemarah famously says that whichever generation hasn’t rebuilt the Beis Hamikdash has, so to speak, destroyed it, if we were worthy, we would have it. The potential for the Beis Hamikdash to be rebuilt exists at every moment. No matter what the world around us may look like, no matter what tragedies befall our nation, we should never give up on the final redemption. Mashiach ben Dovid can reveal himself to the world at any moment. At that time, a new world order will reign and the world will be filled with peace and harmony. As the great Yeshaya Hanavi said, “The nations of the world will turn their weapons into plowshares, and the art of war will no longer be practiced.” In the final perek, Yirmiya pleads to God to remember His people, to look at His downtrodden nation, and alleviate their suffering. Verse 3 says, “We have become orphans with no father, our mothers are like widows. We must pay to drink our own water.” Verse 10 says, “Our fathers have sinned, but why do we need to pay the price? Why do we need to suffer? “Our skin has become scorched as in an oven.” Yirmiya continues his lament. Our women are abused, our princes were hung, and there is no respect for elders. Verse 15 says, “The rejoicing of our heart has ceased. Our dancing has turned into mourning.” In verses 16 and 17, Yirmiya turns to Hashem: “The crown of our head has fallen, we have sinned! Our hearts are filled with sorrow over Mount Tziyon which lies desolate, with foxes prowling there.” The last 3 pessukim ask God, “Lama lanetzach tishkacheinu, ta’azveinu l’orech yamim – Why do You ignore us for all eternity, abandon us for such a long time? Hashiveinu Hashem Eilecha v’nashuva, chadeish yameinu k’kedem – Bring us back to You, O God, and we’ll return; renew our days as of old.” Ki im maos ma’astanu katzafta aleinu od meod – For though you may have become utterly disgusted with us, You have amply raged against us.” Rashi explains now in order to end on a positive note Yirmiya repeats the passuk Hashivanu Hashem Ailecha v’nashuva chadeish yameinu c’kedem – Bring us back to You, O God, and we’ll return; renew our days of old.” I would like to end with the famous Gemarah in Makkos 24b which actually brings passuk 18 in our perek. “That temple mount has foxes prowling over it.” While the Tana’am were crying when they say Fox’s running in and out of the Kodesh Kedashim, Rebbe Akiva was laughing. They asked Rebbe Akiva why are you laughing there’s nothing funny about this!? To which Rebbe Akiva responded based on a passuk in Zecharia, now that we see the beginning of certain prophecies are true that the Yerushlayim would be in ruins, we can now begin to see the other prophecies regarding the final redemption, that it will also be true. Meaning, if the beginning is true, the end will also be true. As it says in Zecharia 8:4 “The time will yet come when old men and women will sit in the streets of Yerushalayim and streets will be filled with children laughing.” The other Tana’aim than said Akiva Nechamtani Akiva Nechmantani – Akiva you have consoled us; Akiva you have consoled us. Certainly this is something for all of us to be happy about. As the whole world can see the rebuilding of the ancient ruins of old, and how there is old men, women and children which once again repopulate the streets of Yerushalayim! Currently much of the world are united against us. As its even called the United Nations. But certainly, in the end, the truth will reveal itself. While Sheker has no legs of its own, and the United Nations will be united for us! It can be said, certainly if the beginning is true, the end will be true also. When the world will be filled with knowledge of God like waters that cover the earth. Let us merit to what the Yalkut Shimoni 5 brings on our ending passuk in Eichah: in the future the Holy One, will turn the 9th of Av into a day of rejoicing, happiness and celebration. He Himself will rebuild Jerusalem and gather in the exiles. Mazel tov to everyone for finishing. Next we’ll be learning Meglas Koheles written by Shlomo Hamelech. Thank you for listening and have a wonderful day.