Megillat Eikha 5 - Chapter 4

Megillat Eikha 5 - Chapter 4, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom

Chapter 4: Apparently unsuccessful in his attempt to inspire reflection and a glimmer of hope through his autobiographic sketch, the mekonen pulls out all the stops and describes, in devastating and graphic detail, the tragedy of the loss of independence, sovereignty, "favored nation" status and...life. Presenting the apposition of the formerly royally garbed princes of Jerusalem with the starving youth of the streets of the besieged city seems to finally pull some of the desired emotion from the city. By the time this painful chapter comes to a conclusion, the cry for vengeance - at least the beginning of hope - and the promise of eventual victory and solace is heard. Even if it is the voice of the mekonen, the people can finally hear and internalize this message, the beginning of hope, the engine of return.