After the nine days of mourning, prior to Tisha B’Av, we have the 7 weeks of comfort, the Shev D’nechemta. Mourning is just for 9 days. The comfort of Zion, for 7 weeks, will exceed its suffering. The first of the weeks of consolation is this Shabbat, Shabbat Nachamu. Why is it that even if Rosh Hodesh falls in the 7 weeks of comfort, that we still read the Haftorot of consolation? 

If you look at the first words of the next 7 weeks of Haftorot, prophetic readings, you will see that they form a continuous dialogue between Israel and G-d. First G-d says “nachamu”. He tells the prophets to comfort Israel. Unmoved by the words of the prophet, Zion responds next week by saying that G-d has forsaken her. The third Haftarah reports that Zion is yet unmoved ”Lo Nuchamah”, she is not comforted. Finally G-d says, fine, “anochi anochi hu menachemchem,” I Myself will comfort you, not by proxy. On the fifth week G-d continues to adjure Zion to rejoice. G-d will take back Israel, the forsaken wife. On the sixth week G-d speaks in glowing terms of what will yet be as the light of Zion returns. Having heard this, the seventh Haftorah reports that Zion is comforted, and she says, “I shall surely rejoice in G-d.” Because the Haftarot form a whole, they are never to be interrupted for other occasions, even to discuss the theme of the portion of the week or for Rosh Hodesh.

Word Finder, Vaetchanan 

Can you find these famous verses in our portion? 

• The verse said when lifting the Torah, and  right before Torah reading. 

• The ten commandments. 

• One of the four questions  from Pesach. 

• The prohibition of intermarriage. 

• The Shema. 

• Avadim Hayinu. 

• G-d loves you. 

• A verse from Alenu. 

• One of the 6 remembrences (hint: see pg. 171 in your siddur). Good luck!