The Haftorah is read from the book of Yishayahu (Isaiah), 10:32-12:6

The connection of the Haftorah to Pesach: The first part of the Haftorah describes the downfall of the Assyrian emperor Sancherev, which, according to our sages, happened on the first night of Pesach. The rest of the Haftorah discusses the y’mai hamashiach, the messianic era, which will come during the month of Nissan. This Haftorah was reserved for the last day of Pesach, because it is a time that commemorates the splitting of the yam suf that took place seven days after the exodus.

The storyline of this week’s Haftorah: The Haftorah begins by relating how the Assyrian Emperor Sancherev’s army is destroyed by the Jews. It then goes on to describe Mashiach, whose lineage will be from King David. He will posses six marvelous attributes:

1. Chochma- Torah Wisdom.

2. Bina- The Intelligence to apply his knowledge to similar situations.

3. Aitza- Counsel

4. Gevura- Strength

5. Daas- Divinely inspired wisdom.

6. Yiras hashem- Fear of God.

The Haftorah adds that Mashiach will have perfect judgment and that all nations of the world will seek instruction from Mashiach. The prophesy forecasts the Messianic period as a time of great miracles and ideal conditions of peace.

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 12:3, “Ushiavtem mayim b’sasson mimainai hayeshuah”  “And you shall joyfully draw water from the waters of salvation.” These words are symbolic of the joy and salvation that await us during the era of Mashiach.

Haftorahman’s lesson of the week: The prophet describes the ultimate peace of the times of Mashiach, when strife and war will at last be abolished for all time.  How opportune is this time to pray for Mashiach to rid ourselves of these ravages that forever seem to plague mankind through the generations in one form or another!  Let us galvanize ourselves to increase our prayers during these last few hours of the Festival of Freedom, for the immediate and Final Redemption.

Timeline:

Map:

Further Readings:

Written by: Reuben Gavriel Ben Nissim Ebrahimoff 5769-2009

E-mail: Haftorahman@Haftorahman.com