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The Haftorah

Why do we add this special portion to the end of a Torah reading?

ELIZABETH APPLEBAUM

Apple Tree Editor

is a word just about every-
one hears, and knows, but
exactly what it means is a bit
of a mystery
On Shabbat and holidays, the
Torah reading is following by recita-
tion of the haftorah. It doesn't have
anything to do with "half a Torah"
like it might sound. Rather, it is a
section from the Prophets that sup-
plements the weekly Torah reading.
(The haftorah is not read on minor
holidays or on Shabbat afternoon.)
Various scholars have advanced
ideas as to exactly what the word
"haftorah" means. Some suggest it
translates "raking leave of," as in,
leaving the Torah reading of the day.
Others say that it translates to "end"
(based on the Aramaic word ashlem-
nta, used in ancient texts to refer to
the haftorah) because the haftorah
concludes the recitation of the
Torah portion.
Similarly, no one can say exactly
when congregations began adding
the haftorah to the service, though
it is certainly an ancient tradition.
Most believe it dates back to the
days of King Antiochus.
Antiochus was, of course, the
wicked king of the Chanukah story.
This second-century B.C.E. leader
had little love for the Jewish com-
munity, forbidding Jewish practice
and ritual. Among his many regula-
tions was one forbidding Jews to
read the Torah. Yet, King Antiochus
did permit anyone to read from the
Prophets, because he did not consid-

One of the interesting aspects of
the haftorot is that these readings
were not based upon their place-
ment in the Prophets (as opposed to
the Torah, which must be read in a
specific order). Instead, rabbis gen-
erally looked for a correlation, some
connection, between the appropriate
Torah portion and verses from the
Prophets. Another goal was to pro-
vide an uplifting message, so that
the reading of the Torah concluded
with a haftorah that ended on a
happy note, with a verse or two
about hopes and promises for the
future.
Unlike the Torah, which is tradi-
tionally read from a scroll, the
haftorah is read from a book. Like
the Torah portion, the haftorah
begins and ends with the recitation
of certain blessings. These thank
God for sending us the prophets
After
King
Antiochus'
death
and
and (at the conclusion of the read-
religious.
Consequently,
er this work
the easing of restrictions against the : ing) express our faith in His corn-
members of the Jewish community
Jewish community, Jews again
mitment to fulfill His promises to
would gather and read from the
began davening together and read-
the prophets.
Prophets. At least 21 verses were
ing from the Torah. The tradition of
In addition to the regular
recited, and anyone who stood to
reading from the Prophets contin-
haftorah portions read weekly, a
read at least three verses (any num-
ued, though this time only one per-
number of special haftorot are recit-
ber of men were allowed to read)
son
was
asked
to
read
the
verses.
ed on the four Shabbatot immedi-
aliyah.
was given what was called an
ately preceding Pesach. And while
some regular haftorah portions may
appear to have an obscure connec-
You've always wondered ... now you know.
t
tion
to the parshah (Torah portion),
Here is your chance to learn all kinds of compelling and unusual facts
this is not the case on High
about Jewish life throughout the years. Now You Know introduces
Holidays. On Rosh Hashanah, for
you to famous scholars and infamous gangsters, considers decisions
example, the haftorah focuses on
and incidents that continue to shape the way we live today, and tells
God's "remembering," as we read in
you the story behind everything from classic Jewish texts to
the Torah of how God heard and
Hollywood feuds -- all on a single page. It's history, and its fun; sit
remembered Hannah when she
down and learn a litde (best of all, there are no homework assign-
begged for children. ❑

ments).

'Ns

12/14
2001

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