Summary of Haftarat Re’eh
The haftarah for Shabbat Re’eh is the third in a series of seven successive haftarah readings that follow the Fast of Av and the anniversary of the destruction of Jerusalem. The Seven Consolations, each drawn from Isaiah’s Book of Consolations (Isaiah 40-66), offer words of comfort to Zion and promises of future redemption. Each one prophesies the return from the exile, Zion’s restoration, and ultimately, the Messianic kingdom of heaven on earth.
First Consolation (Va’etchanan): Isaiah 40:1-16
Second Consolation (Ekev) Isaiah 49:14-51:3
Third Consolation ( Re’eh): Isaiah 54:11-55:5
Fourth Consolation ( Shoftim): Isaiah 51:12-52:12
Fifth Consolation ( Ki Tete): Isaiah 54:1-10
Sixth Consolation (Ki Tov): Isaiah 60:1-22
Seventh Consolation (Nitzavim): Isaiah 61:10-63:9
Haftarat Re’eh, the third of the Seven Consolation, returns to Isaiah 54, a passage that also serves as the haftarah portion for Parashat Noach. Isaiah 5 is about the end of the exile, the beginning of the final redemption and Jerusalem in the Messianic Era.
Our passage begins mid-point in one complete oracle (Isaiah 5e) and continues through the introduction of a second oracle (Isaiah 55:1-5. The first oracle stands apart from the second because it uses second person, feminine, singular forms of address. The feminine, singular form of Isaiah 54 is the city of Jerusalem personified as a barren woman, a widow, and an abandoned wife. The prophecy offers consolation to Jerusalem during a period of exile, promising her that her inhabitants will return in great numbers, she will be rebuilt of costly stone, no future enemy will prevail against her, and God will take her back as His own.
The second oracle, beginning in Isaiah 55, starts with a general address, an open invitation to all Israel and all humanity. It invites everyone to come, learn the revelation of God, find satiation in knowledge of Him, and enter into an everlasting covenant with Him through the agency of the Davidic Messiah.
The oracle then turns to speak directly to that Davidic Messiah, prophesying that all nations will fall under His dominion and all peoples will respond to His summons.
From FFOZ Voice of the Prophets
Ffoz.org