Haftorah This Week
Welcome to Haftorah This Week, the place where you will find thoughts and reflections by CLAL faculty and associates on this week's Haftorah.
HAFTARAT MATTOT
(Jeremiah 1:1-2:3)
There's a popular saying, "Love is blind." What do people mean by that?
Some people might mean that those who are in love often tend to ignore their lover's faults, not in a kind and generous way, but naively. For example, love might lead someone to overlook the fact that his/her lover exploits or manipulates him/her, or has a terrible and abusive temper, or engages in morally questionable behavior! The person's love for his/her partner makes him/her blind to these serious character flaws.
But others use the expression far more lightly, indeed in a goodhearted and kind manner. For example, love might lead one to overlook a physical condition of his/her partner. Tall or short, large or thin, love often blinds one to these matters in favor of the deeper spiritual connection between two people.
There's yet another usage of this phrase. Often, a relationship may be fraught with obstacles and challenges: geographical distance, conflicting religious or lifestyle priorities, financial hardships, etc. Many partners might think twice about whether the relationship is "worth" pursuing. Others, however, may be so strongly attached to each other, may have such a deep love for and trust in each other, that they simply cannot perceive these or other issues as challenges; they simply refuse to conceive of the possibility of failure.
It is this last theory of the phrase, "Love is blind," which I think the prophet Jeremiah had in mind when he spoke these words of God to the people of Israel: "I remember for you the devotion of your youth, your love as a bride; how you followed me in the wilderness, in a land not sown" (Jeremiah 2:2).
Israel's love for God was blinded to the real uncertainties and dangers that lay before them. They displayed unquestioned trust and confidence in their new partner.
This is true covenantal love: love that is not necessarily earned or tested, love that is unconditionally offered, love that can withstand pain and suffering, love that reveals the tzelem elohim, the image of God, inherent in each partner.
This is the love we strive for, both with the Creator and with all of creation.
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