יַּו ל ־ הֶָא הt ִ ֖ יִּקְ רַָו
When they came to Har Tzofim they tore their clothes in a sign of mourning. Continuing, they came closer to the destroyed Temple where they saw a fox emerging from the site of the Holy of Holies. This blatant desecration understandably aroused his companions to cry but Rabbi Akiva was laughing. Incredulous at his reaction, his colleagues asked him for an explanation. Through an analysis of various prophetic verses, he explained that in the same way the harrowing prophecy of the destruction came about, he now had renewed affirmation that so too would the redemption, hence the optimism, the laughter, the joy arousing out of the oy.
The rendezvous with the iconic Eichah in the opening verses of Devarim read on Shabbat Chazon prior to the Ninth of Av, will evoke Megillat Eichah, and the tragedies associated with that day. But let us also conjure the astonishing optimism and perspective of Rabbi Akiva, to potentially bring major chords into our chanting, and learning.
Tellingly, there is an additional way to see or more poignantly to hear this word; without vowels or perhaps without rules it can also be read as Ayeka, where are you?- Conjuring the first question recorded in the Bible to Adam, after the first case of disobedience. Adam and Eve had eaten from the forbidden fruit, Bereishit 3:9;
֛ א ה ' ֱא- ים ֽ אדָ ָ ם֑ ר֥ ֹ אמֶ ֖לוֹ ַא ֶיּ
And God called out to Adam and said to him,“ Where are you?” A calling that echoes for eternity.
ה ׃ ָכּֽ
The match between Moshe and Rabbi Akiva was perhaps made in heaven and or Mount Sinai, but its implications must surely inform and inspire elation in realizing what we have on earth. This too is surely the legacy of our master teachers particularly on Shabbat Chazon where we are invited to reenvision a future of hope, with the tenacity to survive but all the more to thrive.
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