The Haftarah for Parashat Korach 5762

Read from 1 Samuel 11:14-12:22

Samuel's Farewell Address

The Storyline of this week's Haftarah: Saul, who is just about to become Israel's first King, commands the nation of Israel to go up to the City of Gilgal where he will be anointed. Afterwards the Nation of Israel celebrates Saul's coronation by giving peace offerings to Hashem. Then Samuel, Israel's last Judge declares that he has fulfilled all the requests that the people of Israel have made of him, especially the recent appointment of Israel's first King. Now it has come time for Samuel to pass away. Samuel claims that he has aged and feels very old (possibly from his son's misdeeds). Samuel, who was only 52 at the time, clearly had aged and became very old. To pass away with a clear conscience, Samuel asks in front of Hashem and the King of Israel if there was anybody who could testify against him regarding any misdeeds he may have done. For example, had he taken any animals as payment for the work he has done for the community? Samuel continues to ask, "Was there any! one who he had cheated or was oppressed by him?" "Did anyone ever bribe him? Come forward!" The people of Israel responded "You have been honest in all your dealings with us."

The connection between this week's Parasha and the Haftara: Samuel was an example of what the leader of Israel should be. He pulled everyone together to serve Hashem. On the other hand, Korach was a Levite who led the rebellion in the wilderness against Moses. The earth opened up and swallowed Korach and the other leaders of the rebellion. The reason for that is Korach's vision was to have each and everyone be his or her own G-d. Needless to say Korach's vision was diametrically opposed to Samuel's one G-d thinking.

Haftorahman's Lesson of the week: You can't change yesterday but you can make up your mind that from now on, just before you decide it's O.K. to do a sin, you re-ask yourself "Is it worth it"? Once someone gets into a mess, they usually start bargaining with Hashem "Please get me out of this mess I'll do anything if you help me Hashem." Don't get yourself into trouble in the first place. The Prophet Shmuel didn't have anything to hide, he was able to say "I have clear conscience, I have behaved well and I have nothing to fear. I pray that all of us can learn from Shmuel and let us think before we act in order to keep out of spiritual trouble.

Samuel's Biography: The meaning of Shmuel is "The Lord heard her." Samuel was the 16th and the last of the Shoftim (Judges). Eli the Kohen Gadol (High Priest) raised him in the Holy Temple. His book covers 120 years. He was a prophet whose string of prophetic experiences lasted about 100 years, from 1070 - 970 B.C.E during which Hashem spoke to him directly. Samuel was strong and unwavering. Hannah was his mother. Samuel was 52 years old at the time of this Haftorah. He was known as "The Reluctant King maker." He also appointed King David as Saul's successor to the throne over the Nation of Israel. Samuel was born in Ramat-Tsofim in the hill country of the tribe of Efraim. He wrote his own book. Samuel the prophet is buried in Jerusalem.

Timeline: This story: took place 2930 years ago in the Jewish year 2830, 931 B.C.E.

Map: The story took place in Shilo a city in Ephraim, notable as the center of worship in the time of the Judges. It housed the Ark of the Covenant until its capture by the Philistines in the time of Samuel.

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

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