The Haftorah for Parshat Re’eh

 The Haftorah is read from the book of Yishayahu (Isaiah), 54:11-55:5

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A Painting of the Prophet Isaiah

The connection of the Haftorah to the Parsha: This week is the third 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. During this time, one’s concentration should be on repentance and improving one’s behavior. Therefore, there is no direct link between the Parsha and the Haftorah.

The storyline of this week’s Haftorah: “Aniyah So’arah Lo Nuchamah” O afflicted, storm tossed, disconsolate one, behold! Jerusalem will be rebuilt! We begin this week’s Haftorah with the prophet Isaiah declaring that in the time of the Mashiach (Messiah), Jerusalem will be rebuilt with gemstones, like rubies and sapphires. Then all your children will be students of Hashem (G-D) and they will enjoy an eternal peace and spiritual greatness. Jerusalem’s Enemies will be unable to conquer her! The prophet Isaiah continues by saying that the Jews need not fear their enemies if they obey Hashem. They should just be thirsty to study the Torah. The results will be that Jerusalem’s enemies will not be able to conquer her. Anyone who tries to conquer the Israelites will fall into their hands. Hashem permitted all the weapons in the world to be created and now he will not let these weapons hurt the nation of Israel. Listen to Hashem, Who Will Make A Covenant with Israel. The Haftorah concludes with the Prophet Isaiah saying that in the time of the Mashiach (Messiah) all nations of the world will not be able to speak up against The Nation of Israel.

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Isaiah’s Tomb in Israel

Yishayahu’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 Bait 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. Yishayahu wrote his own lengthy (66 chapter) book.
• Lived through the reigns of four different kings; Uzziah, Yotham, Ahaz, Hezekiah. Three other prophets were Yishayahu’s contemporaries: Hosea, Amos, and Micah.
• Lived 120 years, having two children with his only wife.
• Was killed by Menashe, the King of Judah. Yishayahu was hiding from Menashe, the King of Judah, in a tree, but as Menashe was passing by the tree, he spotted Yishayahu’s tzitzit hanging out of the tree. Menashe then cut clean through the tree, killing Yishayahu. Yishayahu was killed cut through his mouth as a midah kineged midah, measure for measure, for speaking lashon ha’ra about the nation of Israel.

Famous Phrases: Isaiah 45:7, “Yotzer ohr uvorei choshech oseh shalom uvorei et hakol” “He who forms light and creates darkness, makes peace and creates all.” This praise to Hashem is the opening blessing of the morning recital of Birchat Keriat Shema, the Blessings of the Shema.

Haftorahman’s lesson of the week: Just hearing that Jerusalem will be rebuilt with a variety of precious gemstones lifts one spirits before the upcoming “Yamim Noraim” High Holiday season.

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The Holy Temple

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

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Timeline Book written by: Ephraim Waxman Titled D’or L’Dor, Feldheim Publishing

Map: Isaiah’s prophecies took place in Jerusalem.

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Written by: Reuben Gavriel Ben Nissim Ebrahimoff 5769-2009

E-mail: Haftorahman@Haftorahman.com