The parashah VaYigash continues the saga of Joseph and his brothers. Joseph was sold into Egyptian slavery and rose through Egyptian society to become second in command to the Pharaoh. Now, after many years, the family is reunited. Although Joseph’s story had begun many years earlier with fraternal jealousy, the brothers allow themselves to reunite and rebuild their family. In the earlier Bible stories, the siblings did not reconcile. Cain killed his brother Abel. Isaac grew up without his brother Ishmael. Jacob and Esau never truly reconciled. In this story, we see Joseph and Judah rebuild the family, which would eventually become the nation of Israel, the Jewish people.
The haftarah also speaks of unity. The prophet Ezekiel appeals to the Children of Israel to reunite.
Ezekiel (c.622 BCE – 570 BCE) was among the 8,000 Jews exiled to Babylonia after the destruction of The First Temple. In this reading, he theatrically foretells the reunification of the nation of Israel. Ezekiel takes two branches as instructed by God. One represents the nation of Judah, and the other represents the nation of Ephraim, Joseph’s lineage. The prophet writes, “For Judah and for the children of Israel his companions” on one branch, and “For Joseph, the stick of Ephraim, and of all the house of Israel his companions” on the other. Ezekiel then holds the two branches together, forming a single entity. He says that the Jews can reunite and become a unified nation, and that God will gather them from exile and return them to the land of Israel. The text reads, “I will make them one nation in the land, upon the mountains of Israel.” (v. 22)
Judean Hills
Both readings are about unity. This is a timely theme. Israelis and Jews around the world have been deeply divided about many things. They were particularly divided about the direction of the Israeli government. Our Jewish world was crumbling. The horrors of October 7 unified us as a people. Our love for our nation and our country has reignited a Jewish spirit so deep that we are fighting on every front and helping our beleaguered brothers and sisters. And we are winning.
Hatred destroys countries and civilizations. We have to work together to ensure our survival. Just as Joseph and his brothers forged a better future together, we will do the same. Joseph saved Egypt and its neighbours from starvation by sharing wisdom and strategy. We have the potential to do the same. We are stronger as a united people.
With prayers for our hostages, for our soldiers, and for peace and security,
Shabbat Shalom, Laya
ILLUMINATIONS, An Exploration of Haftarah through Art and History is a book of all the haftarah pictures you have seen in my blog. It boasts 82 full-colour pictures and a rich commentary that accompanies each painting. For more information or to order a book go tohttps://www.haftarah-illuminations.com/ or to haftarah-illuminations.com
The Book of Abraham by Laya Crust (Hand-painted accordion fold book)
The Torah readings over the last few weeks have featured Abraham and Sarah, the patriarch and matriarch of the Jewish nation. Their story began when God chose Abraham to go to the land of Canaan and start a new nation. The painting above states, “He went with Sarai, his wife, and his nephew Lot to Kana’an.” The parashah begins with Sarah’s death and concludes with Abraham’s death.
Sarah, our matriarch, dies in Qiryat Arba at the age of 127. Abraham comes to mourn and weep for her and to find a fitting burial place for his beloved wife. He pays for the cave of Machpela even though it has been offered to him as a gift. The text is detailed. “And the field of Efron, which was in Machpela, which was before Mamre, the field, and the cave which was in it, and all the trees that were in the field, that were in all the borders round about, were made over to Avraham for a possession in the presence of the children of Chet,…before Mamre: the same is Hevron in the land of Canaan.” ( Ch. 23 v 17 -19)
The Book of Abraham by Laya Crust (Hand-painted accordion fold book)
Avraham pays full price for this small piece of property, also known as Hebron, in front of witnesses so there would never be a question of ownership.
The Cave of Machpela by Vincent Van Gogh
At the end of this week’s reading Abraham dies and his two sons, Isaac and Ishmael, come together as brothers to bury their father. They mourn together and bury their father in the cave of Machpela, beside Sarah. The two brothers meet in peace and act cooperatively. They bury their father on the land belonging to Abraham.
The biblical Qiryat Arba still exists. It is an Israeli town with about 7,500 residents outside of Hebron. Hebron, mentioned in these Torah readings exists. The Cave of Machpelah exists. The land of Canaan exists. Today Canaan is known as Israel.
Israel is historic Canaan with a modern name. We Jews have lived there longer than any other people. Jews have owned and lived in the land- Canaan, Palestine, the Turkish Empire, Israel- call it what you will – ever since Abraham bought and owned that parcel 5,000 years ago… Jews owned Israel before 1967, before 1948, before the Balfour Declaration, and before the Zionist movement under Herzl. We owned the land all the way back to the time of Abraham.
We are strong, we are united, and we are right to protect ourselves and our land. I pray our hostages come back soon and that there is no more loss of life, that we will see peace and cooperation in Israel very soon.”
Rosh HaShana is a day of deep prayer and meditation- as well as an opportunity to connect with family and friends. The prayers allow us to connect with ourselves before we connect with others. This Shabbat, which is between Rosh HaShana and Yom Kippur, is called Shabbat Shuva- The Sabbath of Return.
The Haftarah for Shabbat Shuva begins, “Return O Israel unto the Lord your God…” We are told to blow the shofar and gather together. The painting for Shabbat Shuva is based on artwork by Ben Shahn. It presents the grandeur of Yom Kippur. The shofar is a central and defining sound of our supplications to God. We see Jews with different traditions and approaches to life gather and recognize Yom Kippur in their own way. The menorah represents the religious objects that guide us through our observances. The hand of God, immersed in flames, hovers above the imagery. Through prayer, shofar, and community we strive to get closer to God.
I’ve been thinking about the act of personal prayer and our place in society and the world. Much of the New Year and Day of Atonement is spent in personal prayer. What do we get out of personal prayer? What are the benefits?
On the first day of Rosh HaShana we read the story of Hanna, a childless woman who goes to the Temple and prays silently, moving her lips, but making no sound.
Hanna was the first person in Jewish text who prayed silently. She expressed her thoughts to God, conversing with God and stating her needs and desires. Hanna must have been a person who knew herself well. She did something unconventional and clarified her path to allow herself to advance.
We live during a time full of natural disasters, spiritual disasters, leadership disasters, and international tragedy. The world may have ever been thus, but with the existence of the internet, Twitter, X, Meta, ZOOM, cell phones, and immediate news we are aware of international calamities immediately. The global peace watchdog- the UN is a disaster. Forest fires, earthquakes, hurricanes, mudslides, and droughts are all natural disasters that have destroyed lives and communities worldwide- all disasters we have witnessed in the last couple of months. It is very difficult for some of us to know what to do, and how to respond to these world crises both man-made and natural.
It makes me think of Elijah’s experience in the haftarah for parashat Pinchas.
God tells Elijah to step out of a cave. A violent wind comes by, breaking the mountains and rocks. Then there is an earthquake. After the earthquake there is a fire. After the fire Elijah wrapped his face in his mantle, stood in the entrance of the cave, and “behold, there came a voice to him (Kings I 19: 13).” The voice was the voice of God.
This story encompasses my thoughts about prayer and personal prayer.
Each of us is a compilation of experiences. Within our psyche, we carry the lessons we have learned from parents, grandparents, teachers, wise individuals, illnesses, and events we have experienced. We carry ethical truths based on what we have learned. Those ethical truths are God’s voice. It is the still small voice that speaks to us and can help us unravel difficulties that we face in a day or in our lives.
It is a thought I will take with me. As I enter synagogue to pray or meditate, like Hanna I will focus on my own prayers rather than pose for others. As the shofar is blown I will hear that pure, unusual call and know it is calling all Jews from every corner of the world. When I am distressed by the earthquakes, fires, and hurricanes, I will listen to the still small voice and work out how I can best help and contribute to making the world a better place.
May you have a meaningful Yom Kippur, May your year be one of health, peace, tranquility, and goodness throughout the world.
גמר חתימה טובה וצום קל
Shana Tova, Laya
, ILLUMINATIONS, An Exploration of Haftarah through Art and History is a collection of all the haftarah pictures you have seen on my blog. The book boasts 82 full-colour pictures. A rich commentary accompanies each painting. To order a book or a haftarah print go to https://www.haftarah-illuminations.ca/
The parsha Devarim and its haftarah always precede the fast of Tisha B’Av (the 9th of Av) when we read the Book of Lamentations or איכה . Michael Mirsky- Torah reader and “leining” teacher extraordinaire- explained why Devarim is always read before Tisha B’Av. In the parsha Moses asks,”איכה אשא לבדי טרחכם ומשאכם וריבכם.” “How can I bear unaided the trouble of you, and the burden, and the bickering!” (Devarim 1: 12). As you can see, Moses’ plea begins with the word איכה – Eicha.
This desolate haftarah is the last of the “Three Haftarot of Rebuke”. Isaiah recounts how God laments that His children – B’nei Yisrael – have rebelled against Him. They are corrupt, their prayers are empty and their sacrifices are meaningless.
Isaiah tells the nation their sins can become white as snow, and the land can become fruitful and full again. God asks Israel to “Learn to do well; Seek justice, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.” (Isaiah 1: 17) There is a parallel phrase in the parsha. Moses reminds B’nei Yisrael, “You shall not be partial in judgment: hear the small and the great alike.” (Devarim 1:18) These quotations remind the Israelites to act fairly and care for those who are in need, no matter what station they hold in life.
In searching for an image for this haftarah I wanted something that expressed God’s desire that His children act well and justly. The care of Jewish refugees in the nascent Israel of 1949 came to mind.
As we know, Jewish immigration to Israel, their ancestral homeland, was severely restricted by the White Paper of 1939. Jewish survivors of the Shoah (Holocaust) had to enter mandate Palestine illegally and if they were caught were sent to D.P.camps. When Israel was declared a state in 1948, thousands of Jewish immigrants and refugees arrived. They needed food, clothing, and shelter.
“ Ma’abarot” (or makeshift camps and cities) were set up to temporarily house survivors and refugees. In the early 1950’s they accommodated 130,000 expelled Iraqi Jews. By the end of 1951 there were over 220,000 people in about 125 different areas.
The ma’abarot had problems and were not “perfect” solutions, but they were an attempt to take care of the widows, the orphans, and the needy when Israel was first established.
The illustration at the top of this post was inspired by a photograph of a ma’abarah in 1952.
B’nei Yisrael was promised the land of Israel, and we have the good fortune to be able to live there today. The direction to judge all people with the same fairness and righteousness, and to take care of all of those in need still stands today. We should be proud of what Israel and Jews internationally have achieved in terms of social justice and care of the sick and needy- but let’s remember to improve the world by being better ourselves.
Have a meaningful fast on the Tisha B’Av fast day. (This year the fast will be on Thursday, the 27th of August.) And let’s keep on making the world a better place!
Best, Laya
P.S. I will be giving a lecture about Tisha B’Av, the Book of Lamentations, and art that illustrates the readings. Join me on ZOOM this Sunday, July 23, 202. The lecture is free, and interesting!
Haftarat Masei is called “The Second Haftarah of Rebuke” and is read during the “Three Weeks of Mourning.” (17th of Tammuz to the 9th of Av). I will discuss several aspects of admonition, Jeremiah the prophet, and parallels between the parasha and the haftarah.
The parasha describes the Israelites’ route as Moses and Aharon led them through the desert. The first 49 psoukim list all the places where they camped. The next chapter of the parasha (perek 34) delineates the boundaries of the land of Canaan being awarded to B’nei Yisrael.
In the haftarah, the prophet Jeremiah reminds B’nei Yisrael “how God led His people out of the land of Egypt, through the wilderness, through a land of deserts and pits, through a land of drought and of the shadow of death…. And into a land of fruitful fields…” (ch.2: 6,7). The map above shows the route mentioned in the parasha and the haftarah. The Jews left the green pastures of Goshen in Egypt, walked through the desert for forty years, and arrived in Israel. It was a land green with crops, and flowing with milk and honey.
The prophet Jeremiah lived through a tumultuous time in Jewish history. His life spanned the reign of 5 kings- Josiah, Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin, and Zedekiah. It was a time of idolatry and war. Using direct and damning language Jeremiah warned B’nei Yisrael they would be punished for their idol worship. In 586 BCE, the kingdom of Judah was destroyed, and Nebuchadnezzar sacked Jerusalem. The majority of Jews were exiled to Babylon. Jeremiah, who never married and was reviled for his messages, was taken to Egypt. He continued his prophecies from Egypt and died there.
Jeremiah begins this haftarah by reminding B’nei Israel how God brought them to Canaan. Then he describes a litany of B’nei Israel’s sins. At the very end of the haftarah Jeremiah mitigates the message slightly by telling the people that if they return to God “in sincerity, justice and righteousness nations will bless themselves by you and praise themselves by you.”
The haftarah begins with the word “Shim-u”- “Listen” or “Hear” the word of God. The rabbis remind us that these words remind us of “na’asei v’nishma” –we will do, and we will hear- the words B’nei Yisrael used at Sinai to affirm their covenant with God. Another word of note in the haftarah is “Eich”- How? “Eich” is used twice in the haftarah, asking how Israel can have changed so much, turning to sin and base behaviour. This reminds us of the word “Eicha”- the name of the book we read on Tisha B’Av.
I hope we will see peace and unity within Israel. Let these weeks be a time of self-reflection and a path to honesty and security.
Shabbat Shalom, Laya
FYI: I will be giving three ZOOM lectures this July about art and text for the weeks surrounding and including Tisha B’Av. The lectures, hosted by BeitAviChai in Jerusalem, will be broadcast live on Sunday, August 16, 23, and 30 at 8:00 p.m. Israel time.
The lectures are free, and you have to register through this link.
Yocheved and Amram HaLevi must have been exceptional individuals and parents. Their youngest child, Moses, was born at the worst of times when Pharaoh ordered the death of all male Jewish babies. Yocheved hid her newborn son for three months and then entrusted her daughter, Miriam, with ensuring his safety. The three haLevi children, Moses, Aaron, and Miriam, all rose to become leaders and teachers in their own right.
Moses, Miriam, and Aaron sharing tea after a tough day in the desert, by Laya Crust
Together, under God’s guidance, they led and nurtured an entire nation. The prophet Micah wrote, “For I brought you up out of the land of Egypt and redeemed you from the house of slavery. And I sent Moshe, Aharon and Miriam before you.” (Micah 6:4). According to the prophet Micah the brothers and sister were sent together to fulfill the role of leading the Israelites.
When I read about Miriam’s death in the Torah reading “Hukkat” I noticed how little attention was given to this great woman’s passing. I checked to see how often the three leaders were mentioned in the Torah. Moses’ name is recorded about 480 times. Aaron’s name appears about 300 times, and Miriam’s name appears a mere 10 times. It’s not very surprising. Women are not generally given a high profile in Torah and bible narratives.
Miriam is recognized as an important figure and is called a “prophet”. To understand the strong family connection between Yocheved and Amram’s three children we have to look at the hints given to us in text and then put the pieces together.
Miriam’s baby brother Moses was born at the worst of times when Pharaoh ordered the death of all male Jewish babies. Yocheved hid her newborn son for three months and then sent Miriam to watch what would happen. Miriam intervened when he was found by Pharaoh’s daughter and brilliantly offered to take the baby to a Jewish wet nurse. The wet nurse was Moses’ mother, Yocheved, and Moses stayed with her for three years until he was weaned. In those three years Moses was not only introduced to Jewish customs and sensibilities, he also interacted with his older brother and sister, Miriam and Aaron. That may explain why he showed no shock or surprise when decades later God told him that Aaron would be his mouthpiece to Pharaoh or why it seemed natural that Miriam was a leader at the Red Sea.
Miriam is often associated with water. Neither Moses nor anyone else were surprised when she led the women in song after crossing the Red Sea.
In the Torah we read how Miriam and Aaron gossiped about Moses, criticizing his choice of wife. It was a natural thing for siblings to do – talk about their brother, his good points and his bad points. When Miriam was punished both brothers came to her defense. Moses begged that she be forgiven. God said He had punished her as any father would. Her affliction of tzaarat, and consequent seclusion in a tent sounds almost like a time out. Maybe this was God’s style of “time out”, knowing she needed some space to rest and reflect. One could well imagine that Miriam and Aaron were stressed. Miriam was the wise woman, and an example to the children of Israel, constantly expected to be empathetic and to guide the women. Her beloved people patiently waited for her to heal before they continued on their journey.
At Miriam’s death another link between the three leaders is revealed. Miriam’s death is mentioned in five words. There isn’t any mention of the people mourning her. Instead they become angry due to lack of water. God tells Moses and Aaron to speak to a rock, holding Moses’ staff. Moses and Aaron gathered everyone together before the rock. Moses said, “Hear now, you rebels; are we to bring you water from this rock?” He lifted the staff and hit the rock twice. God punished the brothers for not following his instructions by not allowing them to enter the promised land. That is to say they would die before the children of Israel entered Canaan. Indeed, Aaron dies twelve verses after the rock was hit, (Exodus 20: 23 -29).
When Moses spoke to the children of Israel he called them “the rebels” using the word הַמֹּרִיִם. That word, מֹּרִיִם has the same letters as Miriam. I suspect that Moses and Aaron were so overcome with grief at the loss of their sister Moses unconsciously chose that word.
A leader and a sister of leaders, Miriam died and was buried in Kadesh. It is fitting that she died in a place named “Holiness” because throughout her life that is what she exemplified and taught.
Have a Shabbat Shalom, and let us pray for the craziness in the world to become peace in the world.
This Torah reading tells how Korach, a Levi, led a group of people and confronted Moses. They wanted to know why Moses and Aaron were so special, and they wanted a change in leadership. The accompanying haftarah is also about a call for change in leadership.
Samuel was a prophet and judge, and as things turned out he was to be the last of the judges of Israel. The Israelites asked for a King so that they would be like the neighbouring nations. Samuel reluctantly anointed Saul as the first King of Israel in this haftarah. He reminded the people of all God had done for them, and how he had been an honest and caring prophet and leader. He told the children of Israel that they would be punished if they did not listen to God and obey His commandments.
The image I painted shows Samuel advising Saul. My painting is based on a woodcut in a book from Southern Germany, 1450 called “Meshal ha-Kadmoni” (The Ancient Proverb) written by Isaac ben Solomon ibn Abi Sahulah. He was born in 1244 and lived in Guadalajara, in Castile. Isaac ben Solomon was worried about the influence of secular writings on his fellow Jews. He noted that Jews were reading and being influenced by non-Jewish books. For example, The Voyages of Sinbad the Sailor and Kalila and Dimna- fables from India- were translated into Hebrew and read extensively by Jews in the Middle Ages. Below are two illustrations from an edition of Kalila and Dimna dated 1210 CE.
To counter the effects of these non-Jewish texts, Isaac wrote his own book of stories, poems, fables, and parables. The book was illustrated with miniatures and woodcuts. The “Meshal ha-Kadmoni” was so popular it was reprinted six times in Hebrew and nine times in Yiddish! It was a popular book, but it didn’t stop Jews from reading and loving secular literature.
Samuel was concerned that the people would turn away from God and subconsciously conclude that because they had anointed a King as the leader of their country, they could ignore God’s commandments. Samuel wanted to remind the people that their fate would always be in God’s power. It was the wheat harvest season. After speaking, Samuel called to God, asking for thunder and rain. When the thunderstorm came, the show of force frightened the Israelites. They realized, “…we have added to all our sins to request a King for ourselves…” (Ch 12 v.19). Although they admitted their error, the statement did not prevent the Israelites from sinning against God as they continued their lives.
People are always looking for a change in power. When the leader is a good leader, the forces of extremism or selfishness want to change the status quo. When someone with poor vision or evil intentions is at the helm, those with good leadership abilities must try to change the direction of politics. It is an important element to have the wisdom to recognize good leadership and bad leadership and to further the goodness. Let’s all hope for good directions in this crazy world of crazy leadership that seems crazier.
It’s Purim next week, the holiday on which we read the Scroll of Esther. The story of Esther takes place around 480 BCE in Persia. Queen Esther and her Uncle Mordecai foil Haman’s plans to exterminate the Jews of Persia. The Shabbat before Purim is called Shabbat Zachor- the Shabbat of Remembrance. On this special Shabbat we read a section from the Torah about the evil King Amalek. Amalek instructed his army to attack the Children of Israel, specifically the defenseless and the weak, as they walked through the desert after leaving Egypt. Amalek is identified as the ancestor of Haman, the villain in the Purim story.
The haftarah recounts a poignant story about King Saul . The prophet Samuel tells King Saul that he is to remember what Amalek did to B’nei Yisrael (the children of Israel). Saul is to destroy ALL the Amalekites, the young and the old, their animals, and all their possessions. King Saul gathers his warriors, and they go to war.
Saul and his warriors flatten the towns, and kill the inhabitants and their cattle- but he spares Agag the Amalekite king. King Saul’s soldiers spare the choicest sheep, intending to offer some as sacrifices o God. to offer as sacrifices to God. When God sees what has happened, He instructs Samuel to depose King Saul.
The text is powerfully written. Saul, a man with a good heart, does not carry out God’s instructions. Samuel reminds him, “Though you are little in your own sight were you not made head of the tribes of Israel? And the Lord anointed you King?…” Samuel turns his back on the broken king. As Samuel walks away Saul falls to the ground and grabs Samuel’s cloak. The cloak rips in his hand, and Samuel tells Saul, “The Lord has ripped the kingdom of Israel from you this day and given it to a neighbour of yours that is better than you…”
It is a heartbreaking story of a fallen King. The most tragic element is that Saul had never wanted to be king. He wanted to live a simple life but monarchy was thrust upon him. He wasn’t a natural leader. He was a follower. In the battle against the Amalekites Saul he followed the desires of his warriors rather than the commandment of God.
In this week’s maftir (the last paragraph of the Torah reading) we read the commandment to blot out Amalek’s name. We read this just before Purim because tradition tells us that Haman was Amelek’s descendant. As we read we are reminded that in every generation there rises an enemy whom we must fight. We are reminded to have faith in God and listen to God’s teachings.
Read the story. It’s another exciting and emotional incident in our canon. And it’s OUR story. Shabbat Shalom.and have a great Purim.
Laya
ILLUMINATIONS, An Exploration of Haftarah through Art and History is a book of all the haftarah pictures you have seen in my blog. It was published in October and released on November 24, 2022. It boasts 82 full-colour pictures and a rich commentary that accompanies each painting. For more information or to order a book go tohttps://www.haftarah-illuminations.com/ or to haftarah-illuminations.com
This week’s haftarah for the parashah is from the Book of Ezekiel. The prophet Ezekiel (c.622 BCE – 570 BCE) was among the 8,000 Jews exiled to Babylonia after the destruction of The First Temple. He both criticized the behaviour of the Jewish people and encouraged them during a time of despair with his spectacular visions. He was also a great advocate of individual responsibility.
This haftarah’s message is “unity.” God told Ezekiel to take two branches. One represented the nation of Judah, and the other represented the nation of Ephraim, Joseph’s lineage. The prophet was to polish the branches, carve on them and display them. Ezekiel wrote the following phrases onto the branches: “For Judah and for the children of Israel his companions” on one, and “For Joseph, the stick of Ephraim, and of all the house of Israel his companions” on the other. Ezekiel then held the two branches up in front of a gathering of the exiled Jews. He showed that the two groups could be reunited and grow together as one unified nation. He also told them that God would gather them from among all the nations and return them to their own land, the land of Israel. The text reads, “I will make them one nation in the land, upon the mountains of Israel.” (v. 22)
Photo of the Judean Hills by Yoni Lightstone tour guide
The parashah VaYigash continues the saga of Joseph and his brothers. We have read how Joseph was sold into Egyptian slavery and his father believed he was dead. Joseph rose through Egyptian society to become second in command to the Pharaoh. Now, after many years, the family is reunited.
Joseph’s story had begun many years earlier with fraternal jealousy, butthe brothers reunited and rebuilt their family. In earlier Bible stories the siblings did not reconcile. Cain killed his brother Abel. Isaac grew up without his brother Ishmael. Jacob and Esau never truly reconciled. In this story we see Joseph and Judah build the unified family which would become a nation.
Both readings are about unity. In every era and in every generation there are disagreements between different sectors of Jews. The competition for leadership, and the separation of the nations began as early as the story of Cain and Abel. We allow ourselves to be divided by traditions, dress, levels of observance, and politics.
We live in frightening times which are difficult to navigate. We witness and experience the Covid-19 epidemic, international terrorism, increased anti-Semitism, tyrannical dictatorships waging war on their citizens and neighbours, slavery, and bizarre weather-related disasters. WHat is most frightening is the divisiveness in the Jewish community. People have become extreme in their views, accusing those on the “other side” of being nasty, dangerous, and untrustworthy. Respectful speech has been discarded.
Hatred destroys countries and civilizations. We have to work together to ensure our survival. Just as Joseph and his brothers could forge a better future together, we can do the same. Joseph saved Egypt and its neighbours from starvation through sharing wisdom and strategy. We have the potential to do the same. We are stronger as a united people.
With prayers for peace and understanding,
Shabbat Shalom, Laya
The painting “Reunited”, showing Ezekiel writing on a branch, is one of the images in my book, “ILLUMINATIONS.”:
I’m excited to introduce you to the newest member of my family. ILLUMINATIONS, An Exploration of Haftarah through Art and History is a book of all the haftarah pictures you have seen in my blog. It was published in October and released on November 24, 2022. It boasts 82 full-colour pictures and a rich commentary that accompanies each painting. For more information or to order a book go tohttps://www.haftarah-illuminations.com/ or to haftarah-illuminations.com
This week we read the first parashah in the Book VaYikra- the Book of Leviticus. Vayikra means “and He called”. It commences a series of instructions God gives the Israelites concerning sacrifices. The theme of Leviticus is one of holiness, and holiness is described in different forms throughout the book.(note: “Leviticus” is a Latin word meaning “from the Levites”)
Isaiah lived and prophesied in the Southern Kingdom of Judah. At the beginning of his life, both kingdoms were successful and prosperous. During his lifetime the Northern Kingdom of Israel was destroyed. The Southern Kingdom of Judah barely survived a takeover by Assyria.
At the time of this haftarah the Jews are in exile. They are worn down, defeated, and turn from God to worship idols. Isaiah calls to them telling them that God notices they have abandoned the altars and sacrifices and they have stopped worshiping Him. Instead, they are offering sacrifices to man-made gods. God tells the Israelites He will not abandon them. He says, “Even as I pour water on thirsty soil and rain upon dry ground, So I will pour My Spirit on your offspring”.
In my haftarah painting at the top of the page, I show a willow tree by a river. There are sheep grazing in the fields, sacrifices burning in the background, but abandoned altars overgrown with grass in the foreground. In the text, God says, “And they shall sprout like grass, Like willows by watercourses…”
Interestingly many scholars think the Book of Isaiah was written in more than one section. Dating back to the 12th Century Rabbi Avraham Ibn Ezra was convinced that chapters 40 – 66 were written by one or more prophets who lived in exile in Babylon, after the destruction of the Southern Kingdom. That would have been about 150 years after Isaiah died. This second section is often called “Deutero Isaiah” or “Second Isaiah”.
This haftarah is a very beautiful, poetic composition. I hope you’ll read it and enjoy! Shabbat Shalom.
Joseph’s Journey by Laya Crust
Reunited by Laya Crust
ILLUMINATIONS, An Exploration of Haftarah through Art and History is a book of all the haftarah pictures you have seen in my blog. It boasts 82 full-colour pictures and a rich commentary that accompanies each painting. For more information or to order a book go to https://www.haftarah-illuminations.com/ or to haftarah-illuminations.com 
The Book of Abraham by Laya Crust (Hand-painted accordion fold book)
Shabbat Shalom, Laya
Hanna’s Prayer by Laya Crust
The Perilous Desert by Laya Crust
Miriam’s Well, Dura Europos wall panel
Korach art by Laya Crust
Laya Crust 