Haftarah of Parshat Re'eh - 5760

"Afflicted and Storm-Tossed One, and Not Comforted" 
(Yeshayahu 54:11)

The Haftarah of Re'eh is the third of the "Haftarot of Consolation," in the series of seven such Haftarot.  Both the Ashkenazic and Sefardic communities take this Haftarah from the Book of Yeshayahu, beginning with "Perek"/Chapter 54, Verse 11, through (and including) Chapter 55, Verse 5.

Introduction

In the conversation that Avudraham constructs from these Haftarot, among HaShem, His Prophets and the People of Israel, this is the one in which the People of Israel complains that it is not comforted, because it is receiving the consolation indirectly, from the Prophets, rather than from HaShem.  Next week, the Master of the Universe gets into the act, when He says, "I, even I (using the unusual form 'Anochi) am the One Who comforts you" (Yeshayahu 51:12).  But in truth, HaShem already has declared Himself to be the "Menachem," the Comforter, in this Haftarah, where He says in the first "Passuk" (54:11),

"Behold, I ('Anochi') will set your stones in fair colors," 
and again in "Passuk" (54:16), 

"Behold, it is I ("Anochi") Who created the blacksmith, 
Who blows fire on the coals, 
And brings forth a weapon for his work, 
And I ("Anochi") created the destroyer to undo him."  

The Haftarah - Translation and Commentary  

Yeshayahu 54:11

"O afflicted and storm-tossed one,
And not comforted,
Behold, I will set your stones in fair colors,
And lay your foundations with sapphires."  

All the commentators relate this promise of comfort to Yerushalayim.  Targum Yonatan says, "…the walls about which the nations of the world said that you would never be comforted, HaShem says, "I will lay its foundation with diamonds."

Yeshayahu 54:12

"And I will make your pinnacles of rubies,
And your gates of iridescent diamonds;
And all your borders of precious stone."  

I will return to the City of Jerusalem, once a beautiful "wonder of the world," its aspect of physical beauty.  But that's not all.

Yeshayahu 54:13

"And all your children shall be taught by HaShem,
And great will be the peace of your children."

The situation will be the opposite of that described by Yirmiyahu in the Haftarah of Parshat Masei (Yirmiyahu 2:8), the Second of the "Haftarot of Punishment,"  

"The Priests did not ask, 'Where is HaShem?'
And the "scholars" of Torah did not know me…"

RADAK points out that this idea is like that stated by Yirmiyahu,  

"No longer will one person have to teach another, because everybody will know Me, from children to adults."

And this "Passuk" is also the source of the following Talmudic statement (Masechet Berachot 64a), "Rabbi Elazar said in the name of Rabbi Chanina, 'Torah scholars increase peace in the world,' as it is said, 'And all your children will be taught by  HaShem, and great will be the peace of your children;' do not read 'your children' (banayich), but 'your builders' (bonayich)."

Yeshayahu 54:14

"In righteousness shall you be established -
Stay far away from oppression,
Then you will have no reason to fear,
Or to feel terror,
For they will not approach you."  

You will once again be the City described in Yeshayahu 1:21 as "full of Justice, in which Righteousness would lodge…"

Yeshayahu 54:15-17

"Behold, they may gather together,
But not be sent by Me,
Whoever conspires against you will fall."

"Behold, I have created the blacksmith,
Who blows fire on the coals,
Who brings forth a weapon for his work,
But I have created the destroyer to undo him."  

"No weapon made to attack you will succeed,
And every tongue that speaks against you shall fail;
This is the heritage of the servants of the L-rd
And their just reward from Me,
Says HaShem."  

HaShem says, "I am the One Who brought against you enemies whose aim was to  destroy you, such as Sancheriv and Nevuchadnezzar, because I used them to punish  you when you rebelled against Me.  But now, your enemies have no authorization from  Me.  They are Gog and Magog, who will fight against you immediately prior to the  Coming of the Mashiach, and be defeated by you.  And when they attack you in the  Halls of "Diplomacy" (such as the UN, Oslo or Wye (Why indeed?)), with false speech,  where you will find "Long has my soul dwelt with those who hate peace; I am for peace - but when I speak, they are plotting for war" ("Tehillim"/Psalms 120:7), I will help you defeat them there as well."

The following chapter in Yeshayahu is dedicated to two great themes: Torah and Teshuvah, Repentance.  The first five P'sukim, that are part of our Haftarah, deal with Torah, the precious gift from HaShem to us and, through us, to humanity at large.  The rest of the Perek deals with Teshuvah and, appropriately, is read as the Haftarah on a "Taanit Tzibbur," a Public Fast Day, the purpose of which is the arousal of feelings of Repentance.

Yeshayahu 55:1

"Ho, everyone who is thirsty, come for water;
And he that has no money,
Come, buy and eat,
Come buy wine and milk
Without money and without price."

"Mayim," the "Drink of Life," means here and in many other locations, the Torah.  Here, Yeshayahu points to our priceless possession, the Torah.  

The Torah, for our People, is as vital as is water.  We are destined to be Teachers of Torah to the world, who ultimately will seek it and value it as they do food and drink.

Yeshayahu 55:2  

"Why do you spend your money on that which is not bread?
And you expend effort to purchase 
That which does not satisfy?
Listen carefully to Me and eat that which is good,
And let your soul delight in richness!"

RADAK understands this Passuk as strongly advocating the study of Torah, which is called "good" in the verse, "for I have given you a good teaching; do not forsake My Torah!" ("Mishlei"/Proverbs 4:2)

And further, that the part of the Passuk that speaks of delighting the soul also speaks of the Torah, and is referring to the World-to-Come, for just as something that is fat and rich delights the body, so is the Torah a delight for the soul.

Yeshayahu 55:3

"Incline your ear, and come to Me,
Hear, and your soul shall live,
And I will make an everlasting covenant with you,
Like the everlasting kindnesses I have shown to David." 

RADAK understands this Passuk as referring to the time of the Mashiach, when the everlasting kindness that HaShem showed to David will be revealed in the person of the Mashiach, who will be a descendant of the House of David.

Metzudat David also understands the Passuk to mean "Obey Me, and you will merit to be brought back to life at the time of the Mashiach."

Yeshayahu 55:4

"Behold I have given him as a witness to the nations,
A prince and a commander for the nations."  

RADAK again relates this Passuk to the Mashiach, whose greatness will compel the nations of the world to accept him as their commander.

Yeshayahu 55:5

"Behold you shall call a nation that you did not know,
And a nation who did not know of you
Will now run to you;
Because HaShem your G-d,
The Holy One of Israel,
Has glorified you."

Metzudat David explains that just as I have fulfilled My kindness with David, will I fulfill My Promise of Kindness to you.  And this will be manifested in that nations from the ends of the earth will come and do your bidding, because they sense in your behavior the special quality of holiness, implanted in you by the Presence in your midst of the Holy One of Israel.

Rabbi Pinchas Frankel