Tag: Robert Alter

Parashat Re'eh Haftarah: Birth Before Labor

Birth Before Labor

In looking at this week’s haftarah, explore the concept of birth before labor, as demonstrated by the concept of labor pains in our stories.

Parashat Eikev Haftarah: Birthing Israel

Birthing Israel

This week’s haftarah compares the birthing of Israel in the generations recorded in the Torah with similar experiences in the haftarah.

Parashat Devarim Haftarah: On Dialogue

On Dialogue

This week’s haftarah is the final haftarah of the Three Weeks before Tisha b’Av and presents a parallel on dialogue between Isaiah and Eicha.

Parashat Balak Haftarah: What is Good?

What is Good?

There is something disturbing in hearing basic tenants of human decency presented as revelatory. Our haftarah explores what is good.

Parashat Behaalotcha Haftarah: On Regifting

On Regifting

We look at Leah’s children’s names and how its haftarah connection. Through this, we work on regifting God’s gift to the rest of the world.

Parashat Bechukotai Haftarah: Humanity: The Incurable Illness

Humanity: The Incurable Illness

The haftarah for Bechukotai is from the book of Jeremiah and discusses two words, Eikev and Enosh, and what these words mean.

Parashat Tzav Haftarah: Unwanted Offerings

Unwanted Offerings

This week’s haftarah explores human sacrifice. While the Tanakh seems to be mixed about it, God may command human sacrifice in this haftarah.

Parashat Yitro Haftarah: Stumps and Seeds

Stumps and Seeds

This week’s Haftarah, Isaiah, focuses on the promised destruction and regeneration. Shel Silverstein’s “The Giving Tree” depicts that.