Two merchants from a small town set off on a long business trip. They were travelling together, but their reasons for going on the trip were different.
The first traveler was a well-to-do merchant who decided he needed a break from his wife's bad temper and endless bickering. The second was a poor man who worked hard to eek out a living. He wanted to investigate new markets and possible job opportunities.
Several months passed, with no word from the two men. Finally a visitor arrived in town bearing a letters from each one. The two wives were very eager to read the letters, but the visitor was exhausted from his travels. He pleaded with the women to let him settle down and organize his things. First thing in the morning, he promised, he would find the letters and deliver them.
Despite his protests, the wife of the poor merchant insisted on getting her letter right away.
"Why can't you wait until tomorrow, like the other woman?" asked the visitor.
"Our situations are completely different," explained the woman. "I am living from hand-to-mouth, and I need to know how my husband is doing and whether he has found a decent job."
"My neighbor, on the other - she has all her needs taken care of. Her only concern is that maybe her husband has decided never to return because he is fed up with her behavior. For my neighbor, it was enough that her husband took the trouble to write her a letter. The contents of the letter, how his business deals are faring - that is of secondary importance."
Our Consolation
The Jewish people is like the wife of the wealthy merchant. We are not concerned whether God can provide for us. Our only worry is that maybe because of our actions, God has exiled us forever. Therefore it is enough just to hear the word Ami - "My people." The very fact the prophet has brought God's message to us, and God still calls us "My people" - that is already a tremendous consolation for us.
"Nachamu, nachamu ami" - "'Console, console My people,' says your God" (Isaiah 40:1).
