Reflections on Isaiah 40: Comfort and Prophetic Vision in Jewish Tradition

Irene Lancaster, a Jewish academic and Hebrew scholar, offers an insightful reflection on Isaiah 40’s prophetic vision.

The Fast of Av and its Significance

The Fast of Av marks the somber remembrance of the destruction of the two Temples in Jerusalem, events tied to exiles by the Babylonians in 586 BCE and the Romans in 70 CE.

Following this, the Haftorahs of Consolation commence, with the first being Isaiah 40, read alongside Deuteronomy 3:23-7:11, known as ‘VaEtchanan’ (‘And Moses implored’).

This year, my grandson will read these passages during his bar mitzvah on Shabbat ‘Nechamu’, the Shabbat of comfort, observed on July 25.

Moses’ Plea and the Pisgah Experience

In Deuteronomy, Moses pleads with G-d to enter the Land of Israel, only for G-d to instruct him to climb Pisgah, a cliff, to view the land. This scene is reminiscent of the Pisgah-Sights poem by Robert Browning, which Rowan Williams and I explored in a previous article.

The narrative proceeds with a recounting of G-d’s deeds for Israel, urging gratitude for the Torah and the Land, and reiterates the 10 Commandments with slight variations from Exodus 20.

The Shema Prayer and its Implications

Deuteronomy 6:4-9 presents the Shema prayer, emphasizing the connection to the Land of Israel and the importance of rejecting idolatry, reminding the people of their past as ‘slaves in Egypt’.

The reading concludes by designating the children of Israel as ‘holy’ and ‘chosen’ by G-d, described as ‘the least of all peoples’, a term that could imply both a small population and an underestimated people.

Preservation and Promise

This description underscores G-d’s love for Israel, who ‘safeguards the oath’ made to their ancestors and preserves the covenant for those who love Him and keep His commandments for 1,000 generations.

The connection between safeguarding the Shabbat (Deuteronomy 5:12) and the promise from G-d to protect what is remembered is emphasized, suggesting the importance of maintaining vitality in traditions once the Promised Land is reached.

The Profound Vision of Isaiah 40

The passage from Deuteronomy sets the stage for Isaiah 40, which begins a new section in the Book of Isaiah. This chapter includes historically significant passages, popularized by Handel’s oratorio, The Messiah (1742).

Despite Handel’s contributions to English choral music, Isaiah 40 was chosen by rabbis to accompany teachings meant for ‘the least of all peoples’, rather than a grandiose empire like Great Britain.

Comfort and Restoration

Isaiah 40 opens with a call to ‘comfort’ Jerusalem, signaling the end of her exile. A voice in the wilderness calls for a path to be prepared for G-d, symbolizing a return from exile on a metaphorical ‘highway’.

My grandson noted the modern Hebrew translation of ‘highway’ as ‘rail-track’, evoking imagery of fast trains in modern Israel.

Verse 4 famously states, ‘Every valley will be raised and every mountain and hill will be made low’, indicating a smooth return from exile where the humble are elevated, and the mighty are brought low.

This vision connects Isaiah’s prophecy to the Deuteronomic theme of safeguarding G-d’s commandments, emphasizing the endurance of traditions through life’s fluctuations, regardless of external challenges.