Yeshayahu 29

לעילוי נשמת Barbara Atlas, Bracha bas Avraham. She was a beacon of light to all who knew her. Barbara’s kindness and generosity had no bounds.

"I Can Read With My Eyes Shut!"

Now Isaiah mourns for the altar, which is compared to a "lion of G-d." Jerusalem, the city in which the altar can be found, will be besieged. The city and its people will be humbled, lowered to the dirt. Those who invade, the army of Assyria, will be consumed and will become like dust. G-d will save the altar through miraculous means, referring again to the plague that wiped out the Assyrian army in a single night. The multitude of nations surrounding Jerusalem will seem like a dream. A hungry person dreams he's eating, but wakes up as hungry as ever - that's how it will be with the nations that surround Jerusalem.

The false prophets were blinded to the truth and they blinded others to it. They were like drunks, without even drinking a sip. G-d made them fall into a deep sleep, covering their eyes. To them, the words of true prophets are like somebody trying to read a closed book, or someone giving a book to a person who can't even read.

G-d says, "This nation honors Me with lip-service, but not sincerely in their hearts. They are acting out of rote. Therefore, I will take away sages, making My word more obscure and much wisdom will be lost."

Woe to those who think they can conceal their thoughts and deeds from G-d. They think nobody can see them and nobody will know. Who understands a creation better than its Creator?

Soon, Lebanon will blossom into a fertile field and fertile fields will become forests. (This possibly refers to the Jewish king's palace, which was called "the Forest of Lebanon.") The deaf will hear the words of prophecy and the blind will see through the darkness. (This is a reversal of the obscuring of knowledge, above.) Those who previously suffered will rejoice in G-d; the tyrants are gone and the evil people have been destroyed. Now our Forefathers will no longer be ashamed of their children, who are following in their footsteps by following G-d. Those who were cynical will learn and understand.

Author: Rabbi Jack Abramowitz