Characters in this Week's Haftorah- Interesting Biographical Facts

King Shlomo-
King Shlomo should have been one of the people who have no share in the world to come for being influenced by his wives at an old age. However, since he hurried to build the Temple he was listed with the righteous kings (Pesikta Rabbasi 6:19).

Chiram- King of Tyre
Chirah is Chiram who lived to 1,200 years. (Bereishis Rabbah 85:4)

Haftorat Vayakhel

The Haftorah for Parshas Vayakhel describes a number of aspects pertaining to Shlomo Hamelech’s construction of the first Beis HaMikdash. Just like the Mishkan, here too a great deal of enthusiasm and creativity went into the making the Beis Hamikash and it’s various components. The Pasukim describe how the vessels used in the Beis Hamikdash were much more numerous and luxurious then their Mishkan counterparts.
One of the main additions in the first Beis HaMikdash was the two massive and ornately decorated pillars standing at the entrance to the Ulam (hall). The Pillar on the right was called Yachin;” it will remain established”, and the pillar on the left was named Boaz; “in it is strength”. Most commentaters explain that the pillars were names such as a siman tov so that the temple will remain forever, and that the Jewish people will remain strong and mighty.
The Malbim gives a deeper explanation to the naming of the pillars. He says that the names are a hint to the two ways in which G-d interacts with the world. The first way is through the laws of nature that were set at the beginning of creation. This is represented by Boaz, hinting to the fact that G-d’s might can be seen in the natural world, and that it will never change. The second method of interaction is through miracles and divine providence. This is embodied in Yachin, implying that G-d will establish divine assistance for those who follow in his ways on earth.
Have a Great Shabbos!

Historical Backround to the Haftorah # 2

Why is it called the Haftorah?
The Avudraham (Seder Shacharis shel Shabbos) writes that the world Haftorah means leaving, meaning we are leaving the morning prayer. Others write that it comes from the word Pesichah, entrance or opening (see Shemos 13:2), connoting the fact that during the Torah reading we must refrain from talking but afterwards it is permitted for us to open our mouths and talk. This of course does not mean it is permitted to talk about anything during the Haftorah rather it means we can now talk about things that relate to Halacha. (Levush Orach Chaim 284:1)

Historical Backround to the Haftorah

Why do we read the Haftorah?
The Tosafos Yom Tov (Megillah 3:4) writes that King Antiyochus set a decree that the Jews were forbidden from reading the Torah and therefore they began to read portions of the Navi that were connected to the weekly Sedrah. This is obviously why we try to find and explore the connection between the two. Despite the fact that this decree of the Greeks on us is no longer applicable we still keep the practice to read the weekly haftorah. The reason why no portions are read from Kesuvim is either because Antiyochus' decree included Kesuvim or because only in Neveim are we able to find a connection between it and the Sedrah. (Levush Orach Chaim 284:1)
Coming Up Next Post: Why is it called the Haftorah?

Function of this Blog

This aim of this blog is for it to be used as a resource for disseminating weekly divrei torah on the weekly haftorah. This will hopefully give the readers better insight and understanding of the haftorah, specifically how it connects to the week's Torah reading.