Haftarah הַפְטָרָה
The שֶׁבַע דְּנֶחָמְתָּא (sheva de-nehemta, seven haftarot of comfort) are getting more and more uplifting. This week, in haftarah #4 of the series, the נָבִיא (navi, prophet) Yeshayahu describes how the Jewish people will return from גָּלוּת בָּבֶל (galut bavel, the exile in Bavel). The guards standing in Yerushalayim will lift up their eyes and see a truly amazing sight: crowds and crowds of Jewish people climbing the mountains, coming home! A messenger will proclaim peace, happiness, and victory. The guards who hear and see this will shout for joy.
Yeshayahu explains that it’s not just that the Jewish people will be returning to their home. They will also enjoy special closeness with God, getting to know God in new and intimate ways.
לָכֵן יֵדַע עַמִּי שְׁמִי
לָכֵן בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא כִּי אֲנִי הוּא הַמְדַבֵּר הִנֵּנִי׃
Therefore, My people will know My name.
Therefore, on that day, they will know that I am the One Who says: hineini (I am here).
- Why is it important to know someone’s name? What does it mean about your relationship with them if you know their name? What could it mean to know God’s name?
- What does it mean for God to be “here”? Can you imagine what it might be like to hear God tell you, “I am here”? What would that feel like? Why is this a comfort and a sign of redemption?
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