The Shock of Reality

Well my friends, after finishing Kohelet, we are now studying Eicha. Eicha, otherwise known as the Book of Lamentations was written by Yirmiyahu, the prophet who reprimanded Yehudah for their Avodah Zarah, immorality, lack of Tzedek U'Mishpat, and warned them that if they didn't change their ways, they would be exiled and the Beit Hamikdash would be destroyed. Eicha describes tragedy from the aspect of loneliness, oppression, and suffering the people experienced. Essentially, it's a raw and emotional cry exclaiming, "Why? What? How did this happen?!"

The first Perek of Eicha is split into two parts. The first, composed of Pesukim 1-11, is told from the objective perspective of Yirmiyahu, the Mekonen,or narrator. The second offers a personified Yerushalyaim, providing her subjective depiction of what she experienced.

The first section of Perek Aleph, comprised of Pesukim 1-4, begins with the harsh reality of the abandoned Yerushalayim. The city that once teemed with people is all alone (badad), a result of Yerushalayim's actions. She is like a widow; however, the relationship between G-d and the people is still intact. She had been a princess among nations and now she has become a vassal. She cried at night and the tears were stuck to her cheeks. No one was there to comfort her from her lovers. All of her friends betrayed her and became her enemies. The narrator tells us here that Yerushalayim blames her exile not on her own actions, but on the fact that her enemies pursued her. The paths of Zion are mourning because no one is passing through them to celebrate the once lively holidays, the gates are desolate, the priests sigh, the maidens grieve, and the city is bitter.

In the second section, comprised of Pesukim 5-11,  the narrator describes his view of what occurred. Yerushalayim's enemies have gotten ahead but it is because G-d punished her for her sins. This is why her children were sent into exile, not because of her enemies betraying her! All the splendor of Yerushalayim has been diminished. Her enemies attacked, the princes/officers were chased out, and all of her majesty and possession have been seized by her so called "friends" who laughed at her. However, there was a reason for this. Yerushalayim sinned greatly and all who used to hold her in high regard now mock her. Everything is a result of her sins.

Perek Aleph, Pesukim 11-22, offer the perspective of Yerushalayim. "Look Hashem at me for I have become worthless. No one will ever see greater pain than was inflicted on me by G-d on the day of his anger. G-d sent a fire that destroyed me and made me desolate and faint. G-d caused my sins to be a burden around my neck," she weeps. Yerushalayim blames G-d for her suffering and the destruction. She emphasizes her pain. However, there is a change in emotion. Yerushalyaim begins to mourn the loss of her people. No one was there to comfort her. But, she acknowledges that G-d is pulling the strings and she rebelled against G-d. "G-d is righteous and just because I rebelled against his words," she declares, thus taking responsibility for her actions. She put her faith in her lovers instead of G-d and all her priests/elders died.

One of the major themes of Perek Aleph is the "shock of reality" that quite literally hits Yerushalyaim. She feels it as a major blow, losing her people and splendor. Yerushalyaim is utterly alone and she recognizes this. This amazement and surprise towards reality is really apparent here. Yerushalayim knew she would ultimately be destroyed if the people didn't change their ways. They were warned constantly by Yeshayahu and Yirmiyahu, who even endured harsh punishments in order to help the people return to G-d and restore Tzedek U'Mishpat. But the people didn't change. And therefore, the punishment could not be averted. So why is Yerushalyaim so upset?

Well, as aforementioned, this strike of reality blinds her. Yerushalyaim sees all the sins she committed. She knows that the destruction came as a result of her transgressions. But the reality she sees renders her completely alone and "shocked." The concept of loneliness and no one to comfort her takes precedence throughout the entire perek. However, only once she steps back from the amazement she feels and accepts this reality can she truly admit her sins. And this she does, after realizing that the destruction that seemed to never have the potential to arrive has torn through the city.