The Torah tells us that the punishment of the metzora is to sit alone outside the camp (Vayikra 13:46). Chazal compare this to the opening possuk in Eicha, where Yerushalayim sits alone (Pesichta Medrash Eicha). It would seem that it is a punishment to sit alone, both on an individual level and on a national level.
However, we find that sitting alone is a good thing. In Parshas V’Zos Ha’Bracha, Klal Yisroel is blessed that they would dwell alone (Devarim 33:28). Rashi explains that the brocha described in that possuk is fulfilled when each individual dwells under his vine and fig tree and there is no need to gather together for protection from the enemy. Rashi is teaching us that the brocha of this possuk is not only a brocha to the nation as a whole but to the individuals as well. It would then seem from this possuk that dwelling alone is a brocha and not a punishment. So what is it? Is being alone a good thing or a bad thing?
Perhaps we can resolve this seeming contradiction by focusing on the purpose of the negative loneliness, the loneliness of the metzorah and the loneliness of Yerushalayim after the churban. What is the purpose of that loneliness? Rashi tells us that the metzora created separation between man and wife, between man and his friend, so should he be separated. It is clear that the purpose of Hashem’s punishment is to bring the metzora to teshuva, to mend his ways.
When the metzora is sitting alone he realizes that loneliness is not a good thing, but what is he going to do about it? As long as he is a metzora he cannot connect with other people. I imagine that in this situation the metzora will reach out to Hashem. Because a Yid is never truly alone. Hashem is always with us. The metzora would have kept Hashem out of his life through his sins, but when he is all alone, he will turn to the One who is always at our side and is always ready to hear us.
The same would apply to the city of Yerushalayim after the churban. Through their sins they strayed far from Hakodosh Boruch Hu and when they find themselves as outcasts amongst all the nations they realize that they only have One true partner who will never abandon them. And when they turn to Him, loneliness turns into a brocha.
When Klal Yisroel is close to Hashem then there is no greater blessing then being alone, separated from the nations and enjoying closeness with Hakodosh Boruch Hu. Even on an individual level, there is a certain closeness with Hashem that we reach as individuals alongside the closeness that we reach as a nation. While Shmone Esrei is ideally a tefilla betzibur, and is always a tefilla for the tzibur (the language is plural throughout), but the act of davening is an act where each individual stands before the King of kings.
So there are two types of “alone.” When Klal Yisroel is living with Hashem, and they are then separated from people who would distract or detract from this connection, then being alone is a blessing. But when we stray from Hashem, then being alone hurts.
The situation that we find ourselves in during this “lockdown” contains a lot of “alone.” Let us try to turn this “alone” into something positive. Let us try to appreciate the closeness that Hakodosh Boruch Hu maintains with each one of us. And may we be zoche to stand together as a nation, separate from all the other nations, alone with Hakodosh Boruch Hu.