Rabbi Judah ben Bezalel Lowe, known as the Maharal of Prague was famous among Jews and non-Jews alike. He was a mystic who was revered for his holiness and Torah scholarship, as well as his proficiency in mathematics, astronomy, and other sciences. Eventually, word of his greatness reached the ears of Emperor Rudolph II.
The Emperor invited the Maharal to his castle on February 23, 1592. There they conversed for one and a half hours, and developed a mutual respect for each other.
Rabbi Judah Lowe made use of his excellent connections with the Emperor, often intervening on behalf of his community when it was threatened by anti-Semitic attacks or oppression.
In the future, says the prophet Isaiah, we will be consoled. Doubly consoled.
Because true consolation does not mean the anger and the wrath have passed, and now we can come out of hiding.
True consolation does not mean that everything is healed and now we are back together.
True consolation means to truly know that the anger and the wrath were nothing less than passionate, deep love, that all our troubles were really achieving something, something wondrous beyond our imagination. That it was all worthwhile, really worthwhile.
In true consolation, we look back and we can no longer find anything for which we must be consoled.
One day, we will find only joy and laughter.