In comparison with the
Torah portion, this
Haftorah is simplicity itself: It is G*d's proclamation of eternal love for the people of Israel, offering
full redemption in compensation for the years of rejection. Rabbi Siegel argues that G*d loves us eternally, but requires us to show lovingkindness to one another in order to merit it from Him. This interpretation was not apparent from the translation, so I looked it up in the
original:
ז בְּרֶגַע קָטֹן, עֲזַבְתִּיךְ; וּבְרַחֲמִים גְּדֹלִים, אֲקַבְּצֵךְ. | 7 For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great compassion will I gather thee. |
ח בְּשֶׁצֶף קֶצֶף, הִסְתַּרְתִּי פָנַי רֶגַע מִמֵּךְ, וּבְחֶסֶד עוֹלָם, רִחַמְתִּיךְ--אָמַר גֹּאֲלֵךְ, יְהוָה. | 8 In a little wrath I hid My face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have compassion on thee, saith the LORD thy Redeemer. |
Each phrase seems to imply "In one circumstance, I rejected you; and in a different circumstance, I shall redeem you". But it could also be grammatically understood as referring to the people's demeanor:
In [your] moment of smallness, I left you;And with [your] great mercy, I shall gather you.In [your] frothy fury, I briefly hid My face from you;And with [your] lovingkindness for the world, I shall condole you.
When we act small, or froth with anger, G*d's presence appears to depart. And it is when we act with mercy and lovingkindness that we experience G*d's love for us, as well.
What a lovely interpretation! I like that a lot.
ReplyDeleteQuestion: is there any rabbinical commentary for that marvelous phrase, "shetzef ketzef"? I've never seen that before.
Thanks!
DeleteHere's one:
http://www.durlester.com/musings/kiteitzei5766.htm