Weekly Torah Portion

Haftorah in a Nutshell

Jeremiah 7:21-28; 9:22-23

This week's haftorah touches on the subject of sacrifices, the main topic of the week's Torah portion.

G‑d tells the prophet Jeremiah to rebuke the Jewish people, saying that His primary intention in taking their forefathers out of Egypt wasn't the sacrificial offerings, rather in order that they observe the commandments. But despite the fact that G‑d repeatedly dispatched prophets to admonish the people, "They did not obey nor did they incline their ear, but walked according to [their] own counsels and in the view of their evil heart, and they went backwards and not forwards." G‑d further informs Jeremiah that the people will also not hearken to these words that he will speak to them now.

The haftorah concludes with G‑d's admonition: "Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom, nor the strong man boast of his strength, nor the rich man boast of his riches. But let him that boasts exult in this, that he understands and knows me, for I am G‑d Who practices kindness, justice and righteousness on the earth; for in these things I delight, says G‑d."

Shabbat Shalom.