In the last section of פרק ב (in פסוקים יג–כב), we see the מקונן is sympathizing with ירושלים. The מקונן is saying "wow, that's rough. I understand what you're saying, and I'm sorry." The מקונן goes through and lists things that happened - the prophets failed her, the leaders misled her, everyone was shocked this could happen to ירושלים, all of her enemies swallowed her and were excited for her loss, and Hashem really took no pity on her. Instead of coming to the conclusion that ירושלים came to (to just be angry), the מקונן offers a different approach: to reach out to G-d and cry out to Him. In פסוקים כ–כב, we see that ירושלים actually does it! She cries out to G-d and actually communicates with Him - she's screaming about all of the things that are wrong, but it shows that she's willing to come back.
Since we've started learning איכה, I've had a hard time connected some of the pieces to my own life. It seems so distant and ancient, but this פרק I was really able to connect this to my life. Oftentimes, when we're upset about something, it's really hard for us to think logically and reasonably. It's much easier to just get frustrated and upset and focus on that. I know that's what I do most of the time. This is definitely what ירושלים's doing. But most of the time, when an outsider helps, we can think more reasonably. Someone else comes in and gives us a more logical approach to the situation and gives us advice on how to make things a little better. The מקונן tells ירושלים to reach out to G-d - not such a profound, unique idea - just a logical one that ירושלים was unable to come to at that time. After she does it though, she's able to calm down a little bit though.
I agree with what you're saying. At first when something happens that makes you angry, your emotions take over and you can't see the big picture. People have different ways of getting through these types of situations but talking it out to someone helps a lot of people. Once you talk it out or write about it or something like that, you are able to take a step back and look at what's happened and think more logically about it.
ReplyDeleteTotally. I think it must be a general rule that when people are angry, all logic drops out the window. It doesn't matter what the exact details are, it just matters that I'm mad!
ReplyDeleteThat's why it's important for the mikonen to be the voice of reason. The mikonen is the calm person who can understand the trauma of Yerushalayim and pat her on the back while she cries; when the time is right, though, the mikonen can then show Yerushalayim reason.