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 ROSH HASHANA (DAY 1)

(I Samuel 1:1-2:10)

 

More than the birthday of the world, Rosh Hashana celebrates the birthday of humanity.  In most cultures, the sense of time harks back to the pivotal event of their past.  So Christianity counts time from the birth of its savior, whereas Islam counts time from the success of its prophet.  Judaism is distinguished by the fact that for over a millennia it has counted time from the creation of all.   This universalist posture is well reflected in the annual practice of commemorating the birth of humanity.  Typically, we do not celebrate the birth of humanity just in general, but through the birth of individuals such as that of Isaac in the Torah reading and Samuel in the Haftarah reading. 

In commemorating the birth of Isaac and Samuel, we also celebrate the motherhood of Sarah and Hannah.  Both Sarah and Hannah were each the favorite, albeit barren wife.  Sarah was wedded to the first biblically mentioned prophet, Abraham, and Hannah gave birth to the prophet, Samuel.  Through the birth of Sarah's son, Isaac, the covenant was sustained; through the birth of Hannah's son, Samuel, the monarchy and the messianic line were consecrated. 

Although Sarah was the first matriarch, it was Hannah who became the paragon of prayer.  She set the standard for heartfelt prayer.  More rules of liturgy and devotion are derived from her prayerful experience than from any other biblical personage.  God's reply to her prayers sets the tone for our pleas on Rosh Hashana. 

The various links between birth and motherhood along with that of divine solicitude are summed up superbly in Isaiah's simile of consolation:  "As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you, says the Lord."

(Reuven Kimelman)                                                             


    



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