Speak to the heart of Jerusalem and call out to her that her duty is fulfilled, that her sin has been atoned for, because she has taken from Hashem a double amount, in punishment of all her sins. (Yeshayahu 40:2)

The Stork is called Chasidah in Hebrew, which means kindness. Kindness quickens the redemption. The Stork calls out in kindness to sooth the Jewish people. And to remind them that kindness quickens the redemption.

(Rav. Schwab on Yeshayahu)

So she calls out: “Speaks to the heart”, it is a call to sooth and calm a person who was suffering with pain and fears. Real consolation is only such that brings the conviction to one who has suffered pain that this too, leads to ultimate good.

Jerusalem is a metaphor for the Jewish people. When the Mashiach comes he will convince the Jewish people that all of their suffering had a purpose in God’s plan for them and the world. In God’s overall plan for His people He gave them the duty to serve in the galus. The galus had a purpose.

size 72 x 75.5 cm