David's Harp: Nachamu, nachamu

“Comfort ye, Comfort ye” Isaiah writes, G-d rhymes.

The question is asked, “why ‘nachamu’ two times?”

Not one singular answer is given, but some reckon,

One for the first Temple, and one for the second.

Then there is the thought expounded over years,

A consolation for the people, but also Hashem’s tears.

A word for galus and a word for the redemption,

A pair for past and future generations to mention.

Saying something over and over repeatedly,

Is a true sign of patience and sincerity.

The two are needed to balance the duality and tone,

Of “Hear” and “Give ear” in last week’s reading of Chazon.

208 is Nachamu times double,

Equaling “Yitzchak,” the Zohar’s soul corrected from trouble.

One Nachamu for the heavens and one Nachamu for the dust of dirt,

Maybe saying it both times doesn’t help… but it couldn’t hurt.

This Shabbat, in this difficult world, ‘comfort ye, comfort ye’ will be heard.

While many answers address the two words, a question remains, “Why not a third?”