Netsavim
This week`s haftorah is the seventh and final installment of a series of seven "Haftarot of Consolation." These seven haftarot commence on the Shabbat following Tisha b`Av and continue until Rosh Hashanah.
The prophet begins on a high note, describing the great joy that we will experience with the Final Redemption, comparing it to the joy of a newly married couple.
Isaiah than declares his refusal to passively await the Redemption: "For Zion`s sake I will not remain silent, and for Jerusalem`s sake I will not be still, until her righteousness emerges like shining light..." He implores the stones of Jerusalem not to be silent, day or night, until G-d restores Jerusalem and establishes it in glory.
The haftorah then recounts G-d`s oath to eventually redeem Zion, when the Jews will praise G-d in Jerusalem. The haftorah also contains a description of the punishment G-d will mete out to Edom and the enemies of Israel.
Isaiah concludes with the famous statement:
"In all [Israel`s] afflictions, He, too, is afflicted, and the angel of His presence redeemed them..."
Like a loving father who shares the pain of his child, G-d, too, shares the pain of His people, and awaits the redemption along with them.
Commentary and Graphics Source: www.Chabad.org
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