And nothing of the devoted thing shall cling to your hand, in order that Hashem may turn from His burning anger and grant you compassion and be compassionate to you and multiply you as He swore to your fathers.
English: “And He will grant you compassion and be compassionate to you” — Rabbi Abbahu lost a child; Rabbi Yonah and Rabbi Yosei went up to comfort him. He said to them, “Begin speaking.”
On the daf / in context: The practice that the mourner must open the conversation before the comforters speak is linked to the atmosphere of divine compassion that surrounds mourning.
Type of Learning
Narrative / derash (Moed Katan) — the mourner opens the words of comfort.
What Is Learned
Comforters may not begin speaking until the mourner himself opens the conversation.