The Haftorah is read from the book of Yeshayahu (Isaiah), 49:14-51:3.

The connection of the Haftorah to the Parsha: This week is the second of the “Shiva D’Nechemta ” (the seven weeks of comfort) that begin following the fast of Tisha B’Av and runs until Shabbat Shuvah, the Shabbat before Yom Kippur (The Jewish Repentance Day). During this time, one’s concentration should be on repentance, and improving one’s behavior. Therefore, there is no direct connection between the Parsha and the Haftorah.

The storyline of this week’s Haftorah: The Haftorah begins with the prophet Yeshayahu (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 the time of this Haftorah, 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. Yeshayahu continues “As a nursing mother cannot forget her child, Hashem will never forget his children Bnei Yisroel”. 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, and destroy the nations that held them captives. Hashem reminds Bnei Yisroel that He will truly never forsake them. Hashem then promises to redeem the Jews from their captors. Hashem gave Yeshayahu the ability to experience prophecies, which resulted in Yeshayahu’s inspiring words to the people of Israel, telling them to listen to Hashem’s messages or else they would be severely punished. The Haftorah concludes by Yeshayahu saying that Hashem will comfort Har Tziyon, 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.

Yeshayahu’s Biography:

• The meaning of his name is “Salvation of G-d”.
• Born circumcised in the year 765 B.C.E. (8th century) about 2760 years ago to his father Amoz, also a prophet. They belonged to a royal family who had access to the Beit HaMikdash.
• Received his first vision at age 25, and was considered the greatest of all prophets after Moses. He claimed to have seen the throne of G-d. He predicted Israel’s demise. Yeshayahu wrote his own lengthy (66 chapter) book.
• Lived through the reigns of four different kings; Uzziah, Yotham, Ahaz, Hezekiah. Three other prophets were Yeshayahu’s contemporaries: Hosea, Amos, and Micah.
• Lived 120 years, having two children with his only wife.
• Was killed by Menashe, the King of Judah. Yeshayahu was hiding from Menashe, the King of Judah, in a tree, but as Menashe was passing by the tree, he spotted Yeshayahu’s tzitzit hanging out of the tree. Menashe then cut clean through the tree, killing Yeshayahu. Yeshayahu was killed cut through his mouth as a midah kineged midah, measure for measure, for speaking lashon hara about the nation of Israel.

Famous Phrases: Yeshayahu, 12: 2-3: “Henai Kel yeshuati evtach v’lo efchad, Ki azi vezimrat Ka Hashem, Vayehi le Leyeshua.” “Behold! Hashem is my salvation, I shall trust and not fear – for Hashem is my might and praise – Hashem - and He was a salvation for me.” This is the opening verse to the Havdalah, The Separation, prayer, which is said after Shabbat and Yom Tov, Festivals.

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 Haftorah 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 Yeshayahu’s prophecies of future events that were predicted two and a half thousand years ago. Follow in the ways of Hashem and then hopefully, this will bring us our much needed salvation.

Timeline: This Haftorah takes place just before the Beit HaMikdash was destroyed about 2600 years ago.

Map: Yeshayahu prophesied in the Holy City of Jerusalem.

Written by: Reuben Gavriel Ben Nissim Ebrahimoff 5772-2012

E-mail: Haftorahman@Haftorahman.com