The Weekly Haftorah
By: Reuben Ebrahimoff - The Haftorahman
The Haftorah for Parshat Balak
The Haftorah is read from the Book of Michah-yahu,
The tenth book of Trai-Assar, 5:6-6:8
The oldest map of Jerusalem; the Madaba Map
The connection of the Haftorah to the Parsha: The prophecy of Michah recalls
some of the ways in which Hashem protected the newly emerged nation during its
forty years in the desert wilderness. Among the incidents mentioned by the
prophet is Balak's plot to have Bil’am curse Israel, and Bil’am’s advice to use
lewdness as the bait to lure Israel into Idolatry. Thus, this is an appropriate
Haftorah for the Sidrah of Balak.
The storyline of this week’s Haftorah: The Haftorah begins with the prophet
Michah predicting that prior to the war of Gog and Magog the mighty nations of
the world will assemble against Israel. The Israelites will be like “dew” unto the
nations and “rain” to all Humankind. The Israelites are likened to a Lion, fearless
and powerful. The Jewish people will not expect their salvation to come from any
person; instead they will rely only on Hashem for their salvation, and the nation of
Israel will triumph over all the nations of the world. Michah predicts the
purification of Israel; after the war of Gog and Magog, Hashem will remove all the
weapons of war from Israel because they will not be needed any longer. In the
same vein, Hashem will eliminate sorcery, fortunetellers, and idols, including the
Asherah trees because all the people in the world will realize the one true God.
Israel is accused of not listening to Hashem's commandments, even though they
had been warned many times. Hashem asks "Is this how you thank me for taking
you out of the land of Egypt?" "Is this how you thank me for protecting you from
the King Balak of Moab?" "Is this how you thank me for the way Bilaam answered
B’nai Yirael ?" Michah concludes the Haftorah with advice regarding what Hashem
seeks from us. It is, to perform justice, love kindness and walk humbly with
Hashem.
Rembrandt’s depiction of Bilaam striking his
donkey while on his way to curse the nation of Israel.
Michah Ha’Morashti Biography:
• The meaning of Michah-El means, "Who is like Hashem?”
• Lived in the 8th century B.C.E., about 2800 years ago. He was from a
country town of Morashet-Gat, near the Philistine border in Judah, which
was a 1-day journey from Jerusalem. Morashet-Gat is marked on the
Madaba mosaic floor map. Micha was a village person who detested the
capital cities of Samaria & Jerusalem that symbolized luxury & bribery
that had corrupted the nation.
• His book is included in the Trai-Assar, the book of the twelve prophets.
• He prophesied in the kingdom of Judah during the reigns of Jotham, Ahaz,
and Hezekiah. Isaiah, Amos, and Hosea who were also alive at this time.
• Of the 613 mitzvoth told to Moses, Michah stressed three. "It has been
told to you what Hashem requires of you. Only to do justly, to love kindness
and to walk humbly with Hashem."
• Was the first prophet to predict the destruction of Jerusalem. Michah
warned the Israelite people against worshipping foreign Gods, which were
made by the hands of the men and women who worshipped them. Michah was
especially focused on the leaders of Israel who were corrupt and taking
advantage of the population. Michah never questioned the justice of severe
punishment given by Hashem. Michah repeatedly mentions the revival of
heathenism under King Menashe, which worshipped the Baal idol.
• He was a spokesman of the poor, believing that true faith comes from the
heart and not from formal (costly) sacrifices. Michah looks forward to the
Messianic period and kingdom.
The Tomb of Michah Ha’Morashti the Prophet
Famous Phrases: Micha 4:2: “Ki mitzion taytzai torah udvar Hashem
Me’Yerushalaim.” “From Zion shall emerge the law, and the word of the Lord,
from Jerusalem.”
Haftorahman's Lesson of the Week: Credibility is very important. When taking
the role of a spiritual leader, make sure that you represent Hashem in the way he
would want you to. (See Torah for guidelines.) When choosing a spiritual leader,
choose someone who will inspire you to take the next step, and become closer to
Hashem.
Timeline: Michah Prophesied during the Jewish years of 3150-3200.
Timeline taken from Dor L’Dor by: Ephraim Waxman, Feldheim Publishers
Map: The Haftorah takes place in Jerusalem.
Written by: Reuven Gavriel ben Nissim Ebrahimoff 5768-2008
E-mail: [email protected]
Assyrian Winged Bulls protected the Kings palace
Relief from Assyrian capital of Dur Sharrukin, showing transport of Lebanese
cedar (8th century BC)
King Hezekiah’s La’Melech Jar Handles
King Ahaz's seal from the Shlomo Moussaieff Collection, London