Words From Rabbi White

To dear congregants of Chevra Shaas and the Spanish: Shalom, (to quote HaShem’s blessing to Pinchas!)

THREE OF PUNISHMENT

Usually, the weekly haftarah has some connection to the Torah portion being read that week. For example, last week, parashat Balak, the haftarah from Micha has a reference to Bilaam, who had been prominently mentioned in the parasha. The week before, Huqqat, the haftarah describes how the leader Yiftach referred to some places that had been conquered by Israel, as mentioned in that week’s parasha.

Yet for this week and the next two weeks, we read passages from the Prophets that are not connected to the parasha, but rather lead up to Tisha`a be’av: the prophets warn the people that if they don’t change their ethical behaviour, they will face certain doom. Sadly, the people did not listen to the prophets, and the sad words of the Prophets were fulfilled, with the destruction of the Temple and the exile of the people. These three haftarot are known in rabbinic literature as “telat de-pur`anuta’,” which is Aramaic for “three of punishment.” These haftarot all have the theme of rebuke and punishment. [In weeks when parashat Pinchas is read before the “three weeks,” the haftarah is from the Book of Melachim, describing the actions of Elijah, who, like Pinchas, did not hesitate to give strong rebukes.]

Jeremiah speaks of danger from the north [referring to the invasion from Bavel.] [I mentioned in a previous posting how history repeats itself: the current dangers from Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon, all towards the north of Israel.]

In the introduction to the chapter of the haftarah, we read that Jeremiah was a priest from the town of Anatot in the territory of Benjamin, a few km NE of Jerusalem. He prophesied in Jerusalem from the 13th year of King Josiah through the 11th year of Zedekiah, witnessing the exile from Jerusalem in the month of Av. [According to most modern scholars, that would be towards the end of the 6th century BCE.)

God comes to him and tells him that he was predestined to be a prophet; Jeremiah demurs at first, saying he is only a “na`ar.” In post -Biblical and modern Hebrew, that word means a “young lad,” but both classical and modern scholars suggest that here it could mean an apprentice to a senior prophet.

HaShem tells him not to be afraid: Jeremiah should follow HaShem’s instructions. If Jeremiah will be afraid, then he will fall apart. [Good advice for a beginning teacher entering a classroom for the first time.]

Jeremiah continues: the people have not been acting properly. HaShem remembers how good Israel was when they left Egypt: following the directions of HaShem through the desert. [Well, you might say, didn’t the Israelites do many terrible things in the desert: complaints about water; the golden calf; the spies; etc., etc. I think there is an important lesson here: let’s always try to remember the good!]

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We bless the month of Av, which will be next Shabbat. The molad will be this coming Friday morning, 42 minutes and 5 chalaqim after 10.

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We wish refu’ah sheleimah to Ahuvah bat Rivkah; Gad Yosef ban Shoshana: parents of Galia Dafni

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Shabbat shalom, Rabbi Menahem White, Chevra Shaas