Daily Tanach Thursday 7th Kisleiv Sefer Yirmiyah Chapter 31: G-ds Everlasting Love for Israel

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Chapter 31: Everlasting Love and the New Covenant

Overview

Chapter 31 is one of the most hopeful passages in Yermiyahu, often called part of the “Book of Consolation.” It promises restoration, joy, and a new covenant written on the hearts of God’s people. After judgment and exile, Hashem assures Israel and Judah of renewal, peace, and an unbreakable relationship.

  1. Love and Restoration
  • Hashem recalls His eternal love:
    • “I have loved you with everlasting love and drawn you with kindness.”
  • Israel will be rebuilt and rejoice again with music and dancing.
  • Vineyards will flourish in Samaria, and pilgrims will call:
    • “Let us go up to Zion, to Hashem our God.”

  1. Return from Exile
  • Hashem promises to gather His people from the ends of the earth—blind, lame, expectant mothers—all returning together.
  • They will come weeping, yet guided with compassion along safe paths.
  • Hashem declares: “I am a Father to Israel; Ephraim is My firstborn.”

  1. Joy and Abundance
  • Nations are told to proclaim: “He who scattered Israel will gather them.”
  • The redeemed will celebrate on Zion’s heights, enjoying grain, wine, oil, and flocks.
  • Their lives will be like a watered garden—free from sorrow.
  • Mourning will turn to joy; priests and people will be satisfied with Hashem’s goodness.

  1. Rachel’s Tears and Hope
  • A poignant image: Rachel weeping for her children, refusing comfort.
  • Hashem responds: “Restrain your tears—there is hope. Your children will return from the enemy’s land.”

  1. Ephraim’s Repentance
  • Ephraim laments past rebellion and seeks restoration:
    • “You disciplined me, and I was ashamed.”
  • Hashem’s tender reply:
    • “Is Ephraim not My dear son? My heart yearns for him; I will surely have mercy.”

  1. A New Covenant
  • Hashem promises a covenant unlike the one broken after the Exodus:
    • His Torah will be written on hearts, not just tablets.
    • “I will be their God, and they will be My people.”
  • No one will need to teach “Know Hashem,” for all will know Him.
  • Sins will be forgiven and remembered no more.

  1. Eternal Assurance
  • Hashem anchors His promise in creation:
    • If the sun, moon, and stars cease their order, then Israel would cease—but that will never happen.
  • Jerusalem will be rebuilt and consecrated forever, never uprooted again.

  1. Takeaway

Chapter 31 radiates hope:

  • Hashem’s love is everlasting.
  • Exile will end; joy and abundance will return.
  • The new covenant brings intimacy with God—His law written on hearts, forgiveness complete.

Key message:

“I know the plans I have for you—plans for peace and hope.” (Echoing 29:11, fulfilled here in 31)

About The Author

Rabbi Yaakov Goldstein is a 6th generation descendent of the famous Chief Rabbi of Izhmir, Rav Yehoshua Avraham Krispin, who authored a number of Sefarim, and was a colleague of Rav Chaim Falagi, and father in-law of the Pesach Hadvir. He currently lives with his wife Shayna, and twelve children K”H, in Tzfas, Israel. Rabbi Goldstein received Semicha from Rabbi Schneur Zalman Labkowski of the Tomchei Temimim headquarters in 2005 and served as a chaplain in the Lotar/Kalatz and K9 unit of the IDF from years 2005-2008. He is also a certified Shochet, and has performed Hashgacha work in slaughterhouses. Rabbi Goldstein is the director of Shulchanaruchharav.com, the world’s leading web-based Halacha database, and is the director of the Home Study Semicha Program, a self-study web-based Semicha program. He is a prolific author of over 50 Sefarim studied by a wide range of readers throughout the world, which is used regularly in Semicha programs around the globe. He is a world renowned Posek, answering questions to a web-based market, and serves as a local Posek, Rav, and Lecturer, in the Tzemach Tzedek community Shul in Tzefas, Israel. His many classes can be heard both from his website, Vimeo and YouTube channel. Students can join live to classes given in the Tzemach Tzedek Shul, through the “בית חבד צפת Chabad Tsfat” YouTube channel.