This week’s haftarah, the third of seven haftarahs of comfort we read following Tisha B’Av, begins by addressing the Jewish people as “aniya [afflicted]” and “soarah [storm-tossed]”. The meaning of the word soarah – storm tossed – is usually a reference in Tanach to a ship in rough waters, as in the phrase in the book of Jonah, “And there was a great storm, “soar”, and the ship, “aniya”, was almost broken apart.” Though the word used here in our torah portion is aniya, beginning with an ayin which translates as afflicted, it is in fact very similar, and is a homophone to the word for a ship, aniya. Thus, though our haftarah begins with the description of the Jewish people as an afflicted, storm tossed person, it very much evokes the sense of being tossed at sea like a ship. I suspect that perhaps it was once spelled with an aleph instead of an ayin and had this exact meaning, since the word soarah, its adjective, is almost always used to refer to a ship.

This teaches us that the exile for the Jewish people does not just leave us downtrodden, but like a storm tossed ship – dislocated and unanchored. This is indeed the nature of all of our lives; the older we get, often the more unmoored we feel. When we are young there is idealism and endless possibility, but as we age doors are closed and options cut off. As my father once told me in the name of the Kotzker Rebbe, “When I was young I wanted to change the world. As I got older I realized I could not and decided I would change my city. As I got older still I realized I could only change myself.”

The Jewish people may have God’s promise and protection once again, but still, inevitably, will feel like a storm tossed vessel in our world. How are we to address this? The haftarah continues and relates some possibilities, and all are I think part of navigating the world even if it is a place one can not avoid becoming storm tossed as individuals and as a nation.

The haftarah continues:

“Unhappy, storm-tossed one, uncomforted!

I will lay carbuncles as your building stones

And make your foundations of sapphires.

I will make your battlements of rubies,

Your gates of precious stones,

The whole encircling wall of gems.”

The prophet in this verse is describing a beautiful foundation, something solid and long lasting. The Malbim says each stone in the verse is a reference to a different aspect of the Jewish people: one to Judah – symbolizing sovereignty, success and control – and one to Yisachar – which is Torah. We need both empowerment and Torah to have peace and rebuilding, in the life of the Jewish people and in our own lives.

Next the haftarah says, “And all your children shall be disciples of the Lord, And great shall be the happiness of your children.” I think this means that people, our children, are our future.

Thirdly, the Navi describes justice and righteousness: “You shall be established through righteousness. You shall be safe from oppression, And shall have no fear from ruin, and it shall not come near you.” Rashi explains that this verse means through not oppressing others, through righteousness and tzedakah instead, we will create a more redeemed world in which we will need not fear the oppression of others.

In these days after Tisha B’Av of rebuilding and fixing, let us take to heart this haftarah’s recipe for being moored and for Jewish and personal longevity and success: an investment in our world, in Torah, in people, and in kindness.