The Haftarah for Parshat Ekev 5762

The Haftorah is read from Isaiah Chapter 49:14-51:3.

The Storyline of this week's Haftarah: We begin this week's Haftarah with the prophet Isaiah comforting the Jews by saying, "Vatomer Zion azovani Hashem, v'Adoshem shchaichuni" " And Zion said " Hashem has forsaken me; my lord has forgotten me ". At that time the land of Israel was still desolate and the Jewish people saw no reason for rejoicing. They looked at their own unrighteous behavior and felt Hashem was right in forsaking them. Isaiah continues "As a nursing mother cannot forget her child, Hashem will never forget his children B'nai Yisrael". Even though you will go into exile, one day the land of Israel will be repopulated. The nations of the world will escort the Jewish people back to their homeland. Hashem will save Israel from her enemies. Hashem will destroy the nations that held them captives. Hashem rhetorically asks the people of Israel to show him the divorce papers that say we are finished. Hashem promises to redeem the Jews from their captives. Hashem gave Isaiah the ability to experience prophecies resulting in Isaiah inspiring the people of Israel to listen to Hashem's messages. Then Isaiah speaks, using very powerful words that he is here to stand up for Hashem and that Hashem will always be there for him. Isaiah tells the people of Israel to listen to his words or there will be severe consequences. The Haftarah concludes by Isaiah saying that Hashem will comfort the Mountain of Zion by making it like the Garden of Eden and joy and happiness will be found on her along with thanksgiving and the sound of song.

The connection between this week's Parasha and the Haftara: This week is the second of the "Shiva D'Nechemta" or the seven weeks of comfort that started last week with Shabbat Nachamu and will continue until the Shabbat before Rosh Hashanah. There is no direct connection between the Parasha and the Haftarah during these weeks.

Haftorahman's Lesson of the week: The month of Elul that precedes Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur is a couple of weeks away. Let the Haftarah inspire us to begin the process of spiritual uplifting before the High Holidays. We read about how Jerusalem will be repopulated with Jews from all over the world. Let us embrace Isaiah's prophecies of future events that were predicted two and a half thousand years ago.

Timeline: This Haftarah takes place just before the Bait Hamikdash was destroyed about 2600 years ago.

Map: Isaiah prophecies in the Holy City of Jerusalem.

Written by: The Haftorahman - Reuven Gavriel ben Nissim Ebrahimoff 5762-2002

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