The Haftarah for The First Day of Shavuot 5762

This weeks Haftorah primarily deals with the Prophet Ezekiel's Vision of the Ma'aseh Hamerkavah - The Vision of the Heavenly Chariot

This weeks Haftorah is read from The Book of Yehezkel 1:1-28, 3:12

The Connection between the Holiday of Shavuot and the Haftorah: The Haftorah is read on Shavuot because of its connection to the revelation experienced by the Jews at Matan Torah or the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai. At that time the entire nation of Israel had a direct experience of the "Shechina" or Hashem's presence. Similarly Ezekiel's Vision was a direct experience of Hashem's presence.

The Outline of our Haftorah: 1:1-3 The Time and Place of Ezekiel's Prophecy. Ezekiel's Vision took place approximately 11 years before the destruction of the 1st Bait Hamikdash. He prophesied while in exile in Bavel by the river K'var (possibly the Euphrates River). 1:4-14. The Vision of the Chayos or Angels. The Prophet describes the Angels faces wings and legs. 1:15-21 The Vision of the Ofanim - Angels. 1:22 The Rakiya or Sky Above the Chayos. Its brilliance and brightness 1:23-25 A detailed description of the Chayos' wings 1:26-28 The Exalted vision of the Heavenly Throne. 3:12 The Angels' Praise of Hashem.

The Biography of Ezekiel: Ezekiel name means "Hashem strengthens" or may Hashem strengthen. He was a Kohen. He was born in the village of Anatot surrounding Jerusalem. His wife died suddenly before his prophecies began. Ezekiel was a part of the 8000 exiles in 597 b.c.e. to go to Babylon. His prophecies continue for 30 years, several of the prophecies are date, month and year specific. He was the only person in the Tanach (Bible) to be called "Ben Adam" The son of man.

The Book of Ezekiel:
Ezekiel wrote his own book that is 48 chapters long. The 1st 24 chapters are about the future siege and fall of Jerusalem. The 2nd part of the book, chapters 25 -48 talk of the hope that Hashem will favor the mountains of Israel and remove the Idol worshipping and repopulate the land. Ezekiel goes on to predict the annihilation of the hostile Heathen nations. We are told about the rejoining of the two halves of the divided Land of Israel, Judea and Samaria. Finally, we hear about the plans for the third temple and the redistribution of the land among the tribes with a President for the people. There are major warnings to the exiles in Babylon, which take place before the destruction of Jerusalem and the 1st Temple.

Some interesting parts of the Book of Ezekiel are: The Book of Ezekiel begins with the prophet's vision of the Ma'aseh Hamerkavah (The Throne of Hashem) lifting itself up from the Bais Hamikdash. 2nd there is the story of the Valley of the Dry bones and their resurrection. 3rd We have the description of the 3rd Temple to be built in the messianic period.

Timeline: This Haftorah occurred about 2600 years ago.

Map: This Haftorah took place in Bavel (Babylonia). Ezekiel was one of the only prophets to experience prophecies outside of the Land of Israel.

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

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