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Haftorahman

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Reuben Ebrahimoff
Reuben Ebrahimoff

Vayikra

Haftorahs

for Sefer

Vayikra

 
 
 

The Haftorah for Parashat Bechukotai

A Jew Should Trust Only in Hashem

The Haftorah is read from the book of Yirmiyahu (Jeremiah), 16:19-17:14.

Rembrandt’s depiction of Jeremiah

The connection of the Haftorah to the Parsha: There are 2 connections:  #1) In Parshat Bechukotai we read that if B’nai Yisrael build’s idolatrous altars and statues, Hashem will later destroy them. In the Haftorah, Yirmiyahu accuses B’nai Yisrael of serving idols though out the land. #2) In the Parasha B’nai Yisrael is warned that they will have to go into exile for neglecting the Shmitta laws. The Haftorah also describes this punishment.

The storyline of this weeks Haftorah: At the beginning of this weeks Haftorah, Jeremiah try to set the nation of Israel back on its spiritual course. Jeremiah says, “Hashem Uzi, U’mauzi” “Hashem is my source of strength, and my stronghold.” Not man!! In the future, all the Nations will acknowledge Hashem as the Master of the Universe. They will admit the falsehood of religions other than Judaism. They will realize the meaningless of idol worshipping. In the time of Jeremiah both Jews and non-Jews worshipped Asherah, a goddess of agriculture. The statues were made by man from wood. When they were done carving the idol, they would use the remaining wood to make the fire to burn sacrifices to Asherah. Jeremiah says “that it is ridiculous that a human being thinks that he can create a g-d and pray to it and that it will give back crops in gratitude”.

Jeremiah says that the sins of worshipping idols by the Kingdom of Yehuda is carved in stone. (maybe this is where the saying comes from?) They are still committing the sin of idol worshipping. The punishment for idol worshipping will be that the Jews' property will be delivered into their enemies' hands. Another reason for exile is the violation of the Shmitta laws.

Jeremiah advises that we must trust only in Hashem and not in ourselves. The consequences of trusting in oneself are explained. We read that “Baruch Hagever asher yivtach ba’Hashem”, "Blessed is the person who trusts in Hashem, Hashem will be his helper". Hashem knows whose heart lacks trust in him and the people who pretend to trust in Hashem will be exposed. The Haftorah concludes with Jeremiah encouraging the Jews to trust in Hashem and Jeremiah prays to be saved and healed from his enemies. “Refaeni Hashem vu'errafeh, hoshe'eni v'evashae, ki tehelati atah". “Heal me Hashem, and let me be healed. Save me and let me be saved, for you are my glory."

Asherah the Agricultural Goddess is seen here in her temple. Idol worshipers would 1st make the goddesses and then worship them. Hashem asks “How can a man create a god? It doesn’t make any sense.”

Yirmiyahu’s Biography:

  • The definition of his name is “Hashem will elevate”.
  • Born circumcised, to Chilkiya, also a prophet, in 640 B.C.E. about 2650 years ago, on Tishah Be’av in Anatot, 2 miles north of Jerusalem, in the land of Binyamin.
  • Was a Kohen and a descendant of Rachav, the Yericho (Jericho) innkeeper that Yehoshua saved.
  • Spoke at childhood, cursing the day he was born. Began prophesying at age 18, continuing for 40 years.
  • Lived in Jerusalem. He never married, and had no children.
  • Was the head of the Mishmeret Hakohanim (The Guard by the Priests doing work in the Holy Temple). They were the custodians of the Ark of the Lord.
  • Known as the Weeping Prophet, for he endured the destruction of the Beit Hamikdash. Symbolically, he wore a wooden yolk around his neck.
  • His prophecies took place before, during, and after the destruction of the Bait Hamikdash (Holy Temple). Nebuchadnezzar King of Babylon destroyed the Temple. He remained in Jerusalem after its destruction with Gedalyah ben Achikam, the man whom the fast of Gedalyah is named after. Shafan was his scribe. Shafan brought the scroll he found in the Bait Hamikdash to Jeremiah, which was originally written by Moses. It was open to the verse "Hashem will bring you and your elected King to a nation unknown to your fathers." That scared people into changing their ways.
  • He died after fleeing to Egypt, in Alexandria.
  • Wrote 3 Books: His own, Yirmiyahu (Jeremiah); Eicha (Lamentations), read on Tishah Be’av; and Melachim (The Book of Kings). . The time span of the book Jeremiah was 66 years.

A wall from Nebuchadnezzar’s Southern Palace.

Famous Phrases: Jeremiah 17:14, “Refaeni Hashem vu'errafeh, hoshe'eni v'evashae, ki tehelati atah".  “Heal me Hashem, and let me be healed. Save me and let me be saved, for you are my glory." This verse is said three times daily in the Amidah.

Haftorahman's Lesson of the week:  Jeremiah taught me to "Deliver the communication without fear of the response". And a Jew Should Trust Only in Hashem.

Timeline: Jeremiah prophecies took place just before the destruction on the 1st Bait HaMikdash

 
 

Map: Jeremiah’s prophecies took place in Jerusalem.

Written by: Reuben Gavriel Ben Nissim Ebrahimoff 5769-2009

E-mail: Haftorahman@Haftorahman.com

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